Thank you, Chris, for putting together such a helpful class filled with great tips and inspiration. I am excited to share my new creative space and will be even more thrilled when I can finally sit down and relax with my paints!

Here’s a bit about my journey so far: My art space is always a work in progress, but I must admit that this latest update has brought me much more joy! We bought our home during COVID in 2020, downsizing from a 3,000 sq. ft. house to a 1,500 sq. ft. one. The process of downsizing my furnishings is ongoing; I’m constantly purging, tossing, and donating items. 

In 2023, I finally turned my attention to the room that would become my art studio. After many years without engaging in any artistic endeavors, I was excited to embrace this creative outlet as a newly retired individual. Unsure of where to start, I discovered Skillshare, and that marked the beginning of my art journey. Little did I know that two years later, I would be having so much fun creating!

The room I now call my studio is spacious enough, but I needed to clear out more items to reach my current setup. After returning from a trip to Hawaii, I decided it was time for some spring cleaning. What started as carpet cleaning, led to my decision to purge even more, and ultimately inspiring me to update my studio space.

Where I started:

I began by taking photos and marking items I wanted to remove from the area.

I wanted to make better use of the closet space (upper left photo), so I decided to clear everything out from the shelves, remove the shelving entirely, and dispose of the cardstock and rack. Next, I had to move the large, beautiful old dresser that provided great storage but took up too much floor and wall space with its mirror. I also eliminated the remaining wood-mounted stamps, cleared out the junk in the corner, and got rid of one of the white storage drawer units. I wish I had taken photos after clearing everything out.

Once the big dresser was removed, I was able to utilize that area of the room more effectively. This also created additional space for my printer, allowing me to place it in the studio where I use it more frequently, rather than in the office. The built-in wall shelves were already in the house when we moved in. I still have a lot of items, but everything is now organized, labeled, and much easier to access.

 

 

           

              Next up! From cramped to comfortable: creating wall space.

Since I couldn’t gain wall space from the wall with built-in shelves or the windowed wall, I decided to move the dresser and the tall white shelving unit. This change provided me with the much-desired wall space. Now, I can finally hang some of my paintings or incorporate other items that bring warmth and inspiration to the room.

                            

                                        Next Up! Switching Seats!

I never liked the cramped feeling of sitting next to the closet, and the overhead lighting is further away from that spot in the room. Moving to the other end of the desk, next to the new open wall space, was perfect. The "old" guest station was where I sat when I used my overhead projector or where my granddaughter sat when she visited for a creative day! The new guest station even offers more space for her comfort!

 

Below is the photo of my newly improved creative space. By opening up the wall space and switching spots at the desk, I now have so much more room to move around!

**Special Note:** The roll cart was a gift from my husband for using when I cook on our Traeger grill on the covered deck. I didn’t want it to sit outside during the winter, so I brought it into my studio, and now it’s staying! It’s perfect for when I want to stand and create, and I can easily move it around the room as needed. 

 Did you noticed the brown box under my desk? That’s been my makeshift garbage can since I first set up my studio. I love its size, but I think it’s ready for a makeover as well. I can see a fun project in my future!

Lastly, the transformation of the closet was a great success. Moving the tall white shelving unit in there was an excellent idea.

 

So that’s the photo tour of my studio space, a place where I love to spend time taking wonderful Skillshare classes like Chris's, and connecting with all of you on Skillshare. Aside from continuing to declutter, I believe this will be the last change for a while. Oh, one more thing: my husband just installed new 5000K cool daylight bulbs in the overhead light fixture. They were installed after the photo was taken!