table in an art studio

Enlarging my tent

Thinking differently to make more room

I recently enlarged my studio space. Not by buying a new table nor moving into a bigger space, but by thinking differently.
It started with an increasing desire to bring to life, images in my head. To do that, I have to sometimes paint bigger, wider, more expressively, paint more in a series. I need to move when I paint.
On a practical side, I also need to paint standing up without further breaking my back and neck. The previous set up of one small side of the table for painting and the other for writing and non-writing stuff no longer works. The environment/infrastructure does not fit the desire for growth.

Artist hunched over a table painting in a small studio space.

Doubling the space without changing the square meters

I needed to create an environment that can facilitate growth.
Making the change though, initially felt burdensome (urgh, do I need to change? Urgh) and almost impossible. Until I started seeing differently. And started taking risks of trying things out.

Here are the changes:
* Double up the space from the same square meter.
* An easel. Game changer.
* Multi-use of the same space.
 My writing space when I’m not painting. My painting space when I’m not writing.

Bright home art studio with easel and organized painting setup.

 

Studio versions: 1, 2, 3, and 4

The transformation went through version 1, 2, 3, and 4. The last part…to accommodate a new member to my studio—and my art practice. Bringing another vision to life: merging words in my mind with my paintings.

 

Meet the new member of my studio

Vintage Olivetti Linea 88 typewriter on an art studio table.

 

Vintage Olivetti Linea 88 typewriter on an art studio table, with a typed page saying Hello.

Say hello to the new member of my art studio—a vintage Olivetti Linea 88.I’m suitably pleased with making these changes to make space for what’s to come.

What about you?
If this resonated with you, feel free to leave a thought.
 What’s one small change you're making to your space?

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