Rachel E. Macdonald

I finally have my own art studio! This is the first time in…well, ever, that I’ve had my own studio.

A couple of years ago we lived in an apartment. I tried to set up my portable easel and box of paints in the area between the kitchen and the living room.

circa 2009 My "Studio" Space

It quickly became obvious that wasn’t going to work. As a first-time mother with a little lad who didn’t take very good naps, life was not conducive to painting when you have no set place to do it. So I’m sorry to say that I gave up on painting for a time, turning instead to digital design as an outlet for my creativity.

Digital design was ideal for the situation because I could work on designing, hit save, and be with my son without having to worry about him getting into anything hazardous or messy. However, my heart longed for the expression that can only be achieved through pushing paint around a palette. 

But now things are changing! We moved into our current house a few months ago and one of the biggest benefits was studio space! At last a space to call my own, somewhere to put my paints and equipment and not have to clean it up before nap time is over.

At first the room wasn’t much to look at, but I was in love with the space. I set up a portable easel and my trusty tool box that held my paint stuff from college days. I also implemented a folding table for my sewing machine and added an old bookshelf that the previous owners left in the garage. I knew this wasn’t going to work forever, since there was no storage space and everything was unorganized; things ended up strewn all over the place.

So, my Craigslist powers were called into action and I found the perfect desk for a steal! Then my hubby installed some shelves for storage that we took from another part of the house.

Total transformation! I can hardly believe how great it looks. Of course, I would still like to add a few things. For instance you may notice the lack of an easel. How can I paint proper paintings without an easel?

Well, I ordered one and it came, but tragically it did not survive the shipping and I had to send it back. I’m still in the process of getting that all taken care of. A few more things on the list: pegboard, paint, and places to sit.

I have to say, it is entirely too easy to get carried away and spend all my time designing, cleaning and organizing my studio, and dreaming about ways to make it better. Hopefully soon I’ll actually use my studio for its intended purpose: to make art!