Studio Reveal

 Last week, I showed you the wall we put up in the studio to make a more permanent storage area. In case you missed it, you can read about it here. It turned out great.

Today, I'm going to show you how it all came together plus an easy project to update my tired and faded fabric bins. Come on in!

After the wall was finished, I had this nice empty area for storage:

The metal shelf unit Bruce made me went on the back wall, then easels, panels, and other supplies went next to the turquoise wall. 

Eventually, I may put a curtain across it, but most is hidden from my view when I'm sitting at my work table.

One of the things I did was move my bookshelf around from the back wall to in front of the dividing wall so I have my reference and art books close by. I had several fabric bins to hold various supplies. They had definitely seen brighter days - so faded and worn looking now.

As I pondered what to do with them, I decided to just try and paint over them with acrylic and leftover wall paint. I grabbed my Liquitex Acrylic in Prism Violet and started painting one:

I then painted the handle and trim in Americana acrylic in Irish Moss. I was pleased with it, so painted one more that color combo.

Three were painted with the turquoise wall paint and the handle and trim in Liquitex Prism Violet:

The two that were green still looked good so I just painted the handle and trim with turquoise paint.

I didn't add any fabric medium to the paint but did brush watered down paint on the fabric first before adding a heavier coat. It helped it to go on and cover.

I love how they turned out!

After that, it was just putting the rest of the studio back together. Two of my trusty studio assistants helped.

My work table area is all clean too!

I love how my wall looks on the work side too! The grey showcases the art nicely. My small drafting table is in the corner next to my shelf with my books and supplies:

Here's a wider shot of the painting area - this is opposite of my work table area:

And this is the front with my beautiful windows. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my studio update. Let me know what you think! Would you have tried to paint the fabric bins? I honestly had nothing to lose so I went for it!

See you Friday for "On The Artist's Doorstep". Until then have a great week!

Cecilia

Something New In The Studio

"When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration...to enter." -Julia Cameron

The studio was made from closing in part of our barn. It is basically a closed in garage - no closets, just one big room. I love it but I haven't loved the look of things that need to be stored being out in the open. The clutter really interferes with my creativity.

I decided I needed a divider to hide the mess so I used my show wall. It is lightweight and easily moved.

I put tables in front of it to stabilize it. The divider hid the stuff in back but made my painting area feel cluttered too. I felt like it was finally time to add a closet so I asked Bruce for his input. As we talked it out, he made me realize all I really needed was a permanent wall that would allow me to organize my materials and supplies better. 

With that plan, we got started. I cleared all the stuff out of the way and he started building the wall.

STUFF everywhere!

I asked Bruce if we could hang my stained glass window I'd found about 9 years ago. He thought it would work so he made an opening for it.

The framework went up quickly. Then the sheetrock and taping.

We got the window in on the 2nd try - after putting it in wrong side out. That baby is heavy!

Then it was time for me to texture the walls. I used Joint Compound with a trowel and smoothed it on. It's a very fast and easy technique and gives it an old world texture.

Finally, it was time to paint! But what color? I have lots of purple, lime green, and some red pieces. I wanted something fun and bright that would complement those. I finally chose a turquoise color for the storage area and a dark grey for where the artwork would hang.

What a gorgeous color! 

Time for the grey!

The exposed wood framework was also stained. 

It looks amazing - Bruce did a great job bringing my vision to life once again. I have spent all this week putting the studio back together, cleaning and organizing as I put things away. I refreshed some tired storage pieces too. I'll be back next week to show off the finished room. 

Have a great weekend!

Cecilia

On The Artist's Doorstep #3: Art Walk and Cleaning the Studio

This Summer, the Arts Council in Palestine TX, decided to start Art Walks as a way to showcase local artists and businesses, bringing people into the downtown. Several businesses signed up to host an artist. But before I start, I want to let you know I have exciting news to share at the end. It's going to be a game changer for my art! 

Are you ready to read about Art Walk? Ok, let's get started!

I got the wonderful spot of the Co-Ed Shop on Main Street. The proprietor had me set up near the front door.

My checkout stand/painting table set up with
small table off to the side

This is the perfect spot! The front windows give perfect light to see the art and also for me to paint by. Plus there's a display case across from it where I can set some of my artwork.

Flamingos on the display case

Set up to paint on my checkout stand

The front side of my checkout stand

Small table set up with paintings and cards 
for sale

People came in steadily late morning through early afternoon. They were excited to see all the artists throughout downtown.

They got to see me painting live. So much fun interacting with people, hearing comments, and getting feedback on what their favorites were.

One of the paintings I finished 

Since I finished the unicorn painting before Art Walk ended, I started a new  painting. I already had it sketched out on the canvas ready to go. I started by putting in the background.

Here's a closeup of the picnic basket on the back of the bicycle. I really like the way the details are starting to pop!

Here's all of the fun paintings I did last week for Art Walk. I wanted some summer themed paintings. These were so much fun to paint!

I had a blast! Best of all, the Council has decided to continue to offer Art Walk each month. Woohoo!

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As you can imagine, my studio was quite the wreck afterwards. I had boxes and supplies piled over by the door - I was too tired to put things away. Not to mention all the paint, drawings, and other supplies all over my work tables. I'll spare you a picture of that clutter!

I took Monday off and went to eat lunch with a friend, but Tuesday I started cleaning the studio. 

Ahhhh, much better! The boxes are put away!

Work tables are getting cleared off and cleaned of paint marks.

Buddy thinks it's a good place to nap! Herbie
his brother, sleeps in the back. I don't have a
picture of that area because it's for storage and
not pretty. 

Getting there! The floor is vacuumed, stuff is being put in its 
proper place.

The other side...it's been rearranged and cleaned too. The chair
with the leopard print blanket is Flynn the cat's spot. He usually
sleeps under it on his cushion but occasionally, he likes to sit on
top.

I'm now gathering ideas for Fall/Holiday paintings. Plus, I'm working on making cards from the flamingo paintings. I'll have prints made also. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my setup for ArtWalk (I tweak it each time - before long I will have it down to a science) and getting a glimpse of my studio. Things at the farm are rather slow right now as the heat goes up but I intend to share how we redid our fireplace a couple of years ago. It really changed the whole look of the room! See you then!

Now for my exciting news!!! I'm working on setting up a Square store so people can easily order. I compared it to Etsy and decided this was the better option for me. Plus, it's letting me put my website with it so it should all work better. I hope to have it up and running in the next month. I'm super excited about it. 

Cecilia

On The Artist's Doorstep 1

 Today, I am starting what I'm calling, "On The Artist's Doorstep". It's my goal to share my art and process with you each week.

So welcome to the first installment of On The Artist's Doorstep. 

Tin Roof Studio 

Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." I believe as adults, we often think knowledge is the more important of the two. We're encouraged to gather knowledge and "quit daydreaming"! We're told to get our heads out of the clouds! But I'd like to submit daydreaming is important to knowledge. Without dreams and imagining, new things go undiscovered.

Image from "The Battle For Her Dreams"

In my art, I want to engage people's imaginations. I want them to participate in the stories. I think that is why fantasy art, illustrations, and whimsy has always been among my favorite types of art. There's story there waiting to pull me in to places unknown. They give me wings to escape from the everyday humdrum.

"Of Dreams and Dragons"

That's not to say I don't love realism. I do. I like beautiful landscapes, realistic art. I paint realism a lot of times, but often I just want to paint from my imagination. It's like reading good fiction. You're transported away from your everyday life. You go to new places. You experience new things. 

"The Dogwood Express"

That's what I want from my art. To transport you. Take you new places. Let you experience new things. And sometimes, it's just to bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. 

"Bringing Home The Tree"

Thank you for reading. If you'd like to see more of my art, go to www.ceciliabramhallart.com. 

Cecilia