One thing I have discovered about having an organized studio (finally!) is that I am utilizing materials in my work that I haven't used in a long time. Things that were stashed here and there, up and down tended to be forgotten and I ended up using the materials I could see in front of me. You see, my previous studio (the kitchen table) could only hold so many things while still allowing room for my husband to eat his dinner. As a result, I would keep a big bucket of vintage papers and ephemera, a huge bottle of gesso, a (I wish they came in huge bottles) small jar of gel medium, and a bucket of rusted metal.
The rusted metal (being in plain sight) continuously prompted my husband to remind me that I haven't had a tetanus shot in decades and the gesso tended to splatter the nice new red kitchen chairs I have. Canvases were stored in the garage along with towers of old boxes and even more rusted metal. My black kitchen sink was continually splattered with white gesso and the tile counter top has Diamond Glaze on it that will NEVER come off.
My family was quite used to this arrangement and seldom complained about living with the table clutter and chemically enhanced sink. The result of this , however, was that all of my projects contained a combination of these items and very few other mediums. On the one hand, I was forced to always think of new and different ways to combine my limited palette. It stretched me in ways that may not have otherwise happened. On the other hand, many of my carefully (and sometimes not so carefully) purchased art supplies never made it out of their shrink wrap cocoons.
Enter newly organized and assembled studio! I'm revisiting old friends and discovering new ones that came home but were never utilized. Whether this is an improvement to my artistic endeavors, only time will tell. One thing is certain though, I have no need for purchasing more supplies. I said, "no need", not "no desire". Two very different concepts...........
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