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

When Dreams Need Help

Our farmhouse is not where I want it to be...yet.

But it's come a long way from where it started.

However, I still struggle with where it is and the dreams I have for it.

I look at rooms and know amazing is just waiting to happen.

I know that day is coming.

There's a long list of things we want to get done before we move there.

We're far from done but getting closer with each and every project we do.

I know some day it will all come together.

I'm trying to wait well. Make things look the best they can.

I have lots of dreams and reality doesn't quite match them yet.

But truthfully? I'm happy. Happy with our progress.

Happy with our journey.

This place tugs at my heart. It's our happy place. Our lifelong dream.

So here's to dreams and seeing what can be; and to reality and knowing the journey is just as wonderful.

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To help me on my journey of making dreams come true is this wonderful little home planner from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms.

 It's just the cutest thing ever and you know what? It is full of lessons and how to's for planning your space; all with wonderful, easy to follow worksheets, practical advice and great projects.

There's pockets to keep samples in, graph paper to sketch your floor plans on, places to put paint swatches, and so much more!

She reminds us our homes are one of a kind (like us!). Loved. A reflection of who we are. And it's ok there's imperfection.

So if you're like me, and you're trying to make your dreams become a reality but need a little help, why don't you grab one of these planners? It's like having your BFF along, who is there to give you good advice and help, while cheering you on.

*(While I received a DIY Home Planner, all opinions are my own.)

Progress On The Studio - First Project of 2017

Hurray! Hurray!! HURRAY!!!

Last week was amazing! Not only did we spend the whole week at the farm, but our son Jay came up and stayed with us for 5 days, Bruce's brother and mom came up for a couple of days, and wait for it...

Tin Roof Studio got her windows and door installed!! 

It was Bruce who thought the barn bay with the concrete floor would make a great art studio.   It was Bruce who strongly encouraged me to think about it. And it is Bruce who is making it all happen! (Go Bruce!)

In the beginning this is what it looked like

And this past week, Tin Roof Studio really begin to look like a real studio.

On Monday, Bruce and Jay got busy getting the wall ready for the first window - framing the wall, cutting the hole and dry-fitting the window. 

I have to admit it was a little scary to watch the tin being cut but it went perfectly

Tuesday, they placed the window.Yippee!  One window down, two to go. 

On Wednesday we went to the same salvage place where we got the two front windows and found a door. (This place is pretty awesome. - they have just about everything! And it's very reasonable. You just have to dig for what you want). Work could now proceed on the front walls!

loaded and ready to take back to the B Farm

Then Thursday, Bruce started building the front walls, getting ready for the two big windows.

On Friday, B's brother Barry and his mom came up and with his brother's help got to work on the big windows and walls! 

The first window went up with our neighbor Simon helping lift the wall. Thank goodness, I didn't have to try to help. That baby is heavy!

As they started the second wall, they had fun teasing me about it being a studio/deer blind. Uh, no! I don't think so. LOL.

Bruce and Barry got the second window in place, then with Jay's help, they lifted it and got it nailed in. By evening, both windows were in, the walls up and secured, and the area above the door also closed in (oops, forgot to take a picture of that). 

And by lunchtime Saturday, the studio had a door! What a difference it makes having it all enclosed. 

Shall we go inside? I know you're dying to see what it looks like!

I can envision my easel here in this corner. The light is going to be fantastic!

My easel will be in the corner where the ladder is

Here's the other side. I plan on having a real cool backdrop area for photographing things:

To say I am excited to have the studio to this point is a definite understatement. The next step will be drying it all in. I can't wait to start creating in there. It's going to be fantastic!

I'd like to give a big shoutout to my son, Jay, and brother-in-law, Barry, for helping get the windows in and the front closed in. And thanks, Simon, for helping lift the wall. (Bet you didn't know you were going to have to help when you popped over to see the progress. 😀) We couldn't have done it without you!

P.S.

Bonnie and I weren't slacking while the guys were working. She and I raked leaves, cut back branches, and hauled leaves to the burn pile. Jay did lots and lots (ok the majority) of leaf raking and burning plus digging out thorny briars. I hope they know how much I appreciate their hard work!

P.S.P.S.

Those pictures of the colored leaves? 

Not from this Fall. I actually took those between Christmas and New Years. Our weather has been crazy warm with a few cold days here and there. While most of the leaves are down, I found these still clinging in full Autumn glory. 
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Head over to my shop - lots of the Christmas items are on sale! Just click on The Tin Roof Art Studio page.