The constant battle for organization

Posted on | March 7, 2008 |

I’ve been, as I often do, still trying to find the best way to keep my studio organized. I found that I really had a lot of wasted space in the studio and I need to clean some things out that I don’t use any longer, but to get to them, I needed to make some changes.

I moved my easel to right behind the desk. Why? Because I wasn’t using it enough. I had to go completely to the other side of the studio (OK, it’s a small studio, but it seems like a long walk from my comfy seat at the desk!) around the table. And, because it was in a corner, I had started to pile things around it. Things like my full-sheets of watercolor paper and some extra canvases. Not a very useful way to store some things, especially when you can’t see them and forget you have them.

So, I moved the easel and moved my printers (I have a color laser and an all-in-one inkjet) onto the window “seat” that I never EVER used. I figured if it’s going to be there, why waste it! I’m still working out how that will all look, but right now, it’s not too far from the desk and I can get the USB ports to connect - my primary objective!I used to have the all-in-one on the floor under an old primary school student desk; on top of it was my big color laser printer. But it really shrunk the room by a out 2 feet in that corner. Now I use that for my paint palette and my brushes. Much more useful that way.

My extra canvases, large sheets of paper, etc. are all on the bottom of my shelf unit, out of the way, but safe from the elements by corrugated cardboard over them. I know what I have and it is now clear to me I have more than my share of Fabriano Artistico Hot Press and Cold Press 140 lb. paper. I have a lot of work to do before I buy more paper!

In addition, my fabric was in four different places in my little studio. Now, thanks to this post by sewtakeahike, I have reorganized my yardage of fabric and folded it all pretty by color (see right). I have also put all of my larger velvets and felts together on a nearby shelf so I know what I have there. No surprise - I don’t need more fabric for a while. And to the left, you can see all my pretty fat quarters. I’ve been buying less fat quarters and more yardage. I think that’s the way to go. What I do need, however, is more Pellon Craft Fuse. That’s the one thing I will allow myself to purchase at JoAnn’s this week. And, well, maybe a few zippers…

My vintage fabrics were also in a lot of different places. I went through them. I have an idea of what to do with some of them, but I’ve not put it into action because I had little idea of what I actually had. Now, however, I have pulled out the vintage fabrics that I want to use for this super secret project!

The storage and use of my sewing machine has been a constant struggle for me. I switch back and forth between fine art and fabric art and then mixing the mediums. Because my studio has one large table, it’s been the place that I must constantly clear off before I can do any sewing. Well, not any longer. I finally invested in an inexpensive portable sewing table. I doubt it will be put away very often, because it fits perfectly in my studio. In fact, I’ve already used it and I LOVE it. My shoulders don’t hurt from moving the fabric and I can really understand the difference now.

There’s still much to do. It’s a neverending process, I believe. I think that as my interests change, as my supplies change, and as my project focus changes (and it does often!), different things will become important to have and others will be important to get rid of. I have come to learn and accept that I’m still trying to find my complete voice as an artist and that is just fine. I think all artist continue this process. I’m just one of them. I accept that my interests, inspirations, and energy will constantly change. I think it’s part of what makes me an artist - that I don’t easily get complacent. For right now, however, I’m done with organizing and I’m going to actually do some art!

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