Do you remember a couple months ago when I was bitten by the Tidy Fairy right on my tidy bum? Bit so hard I actually blogged about it throughout the month, showed photos of the resulting spartan simplicity of my-life-as-tidy. 
Do you remember that?
I kept up my little tidy spree until one day…LIFE happened. The Tidy Fairy was kicked in the corner with some errant dust bunnies when the it’s-not-the-flu-but-it’ll-knock-you-on-your-ass-for-a-month bug came a callin’. And as I slowly recovered from not-the-flu I found my tidy motivation was belly up under a pile of crumpled tissues.
I. Did. Not. Care. The rooms I dealt while drunk on the elixir of cleanliness have maintained–to a certain degree–their new found sense of order. But the long abandoned kids’ rooms upstairs along with my studio out back, those places the tidy fairy never made it to, remained magnets for clutter.
In fact the studio became positively frightful. Things mysteriously appeared where there was no space for them to appear. Except for things I needed, those disappeared who knows where. And then the walls closed in. Overnight. Poof! Just like that. My once spacious studio took on the proportions and feel of a gnome hole in the side of a hill. I was ready to shut the door and walk away. Seriously. Take up knitting or something. But when I heard Alyson Stanfield was running her Organize Your Art Biz class again, I took it as a sign from the Universe.
Universe: Don’t quit painting. Clean your studio. Organize your art biz.
Me: Umm…okaaaaay!
After just a few days I can honestly say this class is where I need to be right now. Not only is my desk–including drawers–organized–they even close now!!!— I had a major AHA! about the studio and how it functions…and how it can function MUCH BETTER!
Universe (via Alyson): Studio and office should be separate.
Me (thinking of the empty kids’ rooms upstairs): Riiiiiiight!
So in the next few days I’ll be moving all the non-painting, non-art making stuff out of the studio. Shipping supplies, matts, prints, books. Canvasses–yes, all those blank canvasses I buy by the case, especially those huge suckers that take up so much room. And the finished ones that aren’t sold or hanging anywhere else–all that will go to Firstborn’s room, my soon-to-be new office. Which means I have to organize that room first.
But envisioning the studio as a fully functioning work space is all the incentive I need. Room to move around. Throw paint. Teach classes. Shoot video. Ohhhhh, I am positively swooning! Come back next week to see how this goes. There will be photos. Maybe even a swoon selfie…. As always my sweetums, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this in the comments below. And by the way, has anyone told you this yet today— 
Well, you are! 
Wow!!! I LOVE the new space, the new ideas, the new office and the new studio, Susan!
Definitely… KEEP PAINTING! KEEP CREATING!
I’m so sorry you were down with the bug of the month. It really sucks when that happens. A compulsory opportunity, no doubt, for you to take a time out and get some much needed rest.
I need a ‘spare’ room that I can turn into my studio. Jon needs a workshop. We just need a home in the country with a barn or some outbuildings, forest, creek, wildflowers and plenty of blue sky!
In the meantime, could you please send the tidy fairy my way to work her magic? I could use a little fairy dust to go with all the glitter around here… *wink*
Much love to you! ♥
You can do it! If I waded through all of my stuff, you can wade through all of yours. Consider me your getting-the-studio-to-where-it-works-for-me cheerleader!
Linda Watson recently posted..The Land of Slippage
Linda, yes! You’re my inspiration today. Shake those pom-poms in my direction, please. 🙂
I have a home in the country with the outbuildings, forest, wildflowers, blue sky AND spare bedroom, Jean–and I still manage to run out of room!
By the time I’m through with the Tidy Fairy the poor dear will be all used up. But I’ll send her your way anyway. 🙂
xo
🙂 Ahhh… I am well-practiced at bringing things and people back to life, Susan! lol! I am currently working on bringing some life back to my husband. He’s doing well. 🙂 ♥
If you will send the Tidy Fairy my way, I’ll send my sister your way! She is great at reorganizing, minimizing and very diplomatic (when she’s rested). 😀
Much love to you! ♥
I didn’t even think about separating office stuff from art stuff. Such a great idea! I’m excited for you!
Naomi recently posted..Wanted: time for integration
It IS a great idea, Naomi. Now I have to implement it. Well, I meant to clean out my son’s room anyway 🙂
A swoon selfie! Oohhhhh – loving the sound of that. You know I was going to ask you how the tidy up was coming along. So sorry you were down for the count. That’s yuck. Sounds like you’re back in fighting shape now though. Yippeee! As for me – well the dining room table is still clear. Not currently in its usual filing cabinet state which is good. However, the tv room in the basement is appalling. Appalling. Shall I say it one more time? Appalling. Please ask your tidy fairy if she can recommend another. No references needed.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted..Timing IS Everything In The Renovation World
Hanging my head in shame, Kelly…my dining room table has become the way station for things-from-the-studio-on-their-way-upstairs to the new office. But alas, they can’t go upstairs until stuff from upstairs comes down and out the door. Yes, out the door. It’s not allowed to co-mingle with the stuff going upstairs. My little Tidy Fairy is all atwitter about this. I’ll ask her for a recommendation when she cools out.
Separating your office from your studio? What a GREAT idea! I’m going to muse on that for awhile.
I am joining the throng of people swooning over the idea of your swoon selfie!
Harmony Harrison recently posted..Kissing Froggies and Finishing Kitties: A teeny, tiny orange kitty painting comes to life — and actually gets finished!
Go, you! Your vision is overflowing with inspiration and motivation and awesomeness!
Heather Koshiol recently posted..Meet Heart’s Path Explorer Scott Miller
WOOT! for vision, Heather. Now I need to apply the action 🙂