Studio gets the limelight

My studio had a good day in the blogosphere yesterday.  It was featured twice, on two blogs. www.sfgirlbybay.com and www.the10centdesigner.com.  What studio could ask for more??

So, I thought I'd take the opportunity to talk about it.

So, a little history on my studio space.  It used to have beige walls.  Yes, beige.  And although it was my little painting space and I loved it, it definitely needed some loving.  It had part of a home office crammed into one corner, while another corner served as storage for all kinds of electronic devices and portfolio cases.  The remaining space was where I worked. 

Then, enter stage right.  A talented woman, Lori Andrews, part stylist, photographer, and interior designer, comes in waving her magic styling wand....and POOF! transforms it into something bright, airy and lovely.  She styled it like a pro, using stuff that I already had - transforming the banal into the cool and noteworthy.  Truly, like only a pro can.

I read once that if you want to inspire creativity in your life, then you paint your walls white.  I can vouch for this.  The space is now my haven.  Stepping foot through the door brings a wave of calm and creativity.  Plus it's super pretty.  :)

Here is a pic of the studio 'before':

BEFORE:  Blah-y beige.  Ironically, this photo leaves out the electronic storage corner and the home office corner.

And the 'After' photos:

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AFTER: Ahhhhhhh.  Like a breath of fresh air!

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And me. :)

photo credits: Lori Andrews, the10centdesigner.com

My favorite thing about the space is that there are books are all over the place.  On the shelf, on the floor....and the spines don't always face out!  There's something super liberating about this.  I also LOVE the light.  I Modge Podged white tissue paper to the windows, eliminating the need for blinds.  In doing so, it also made the light diffused, soft, and perfect for painting!  My previous impression of a studio space was that it didn't need to look good.  It was a place of practicality and it would inevitably get messy.  Very pragmatic.  The difference between my previous attitude and my current attitude can be summarized by this: "I'm going in the studio to paint" vs. "I'm so excited, I can't wait to go into my wickedly awesome studio to paint!!!"  Two very, very different things.  

It's amazing how you don't realize the true nature of something until that something changes.  I didn't realize how much my space needed improvement until it actually improved.  I love my little space now. 

And now you'll have to excuse me.  The studio calls. ;)

In my next life...an archtitect.

A couple of weeks ago I hosted a painting workshop for a group of interior designers from BKDI Architects. Being the fan of interior design and architecture than I am, I wooed my new friend Deb McBride into touring me around their offices, and into giving me the inside track on what it's like to work for a large multidisciplinary architecture and design firm.

There were a few noteworthy observations I made when I first walked into the studio.  First of all,  I was astounded by the amount of paper everywhere.  There was so much paper.  Big sheets of it.  Stacks of it.  Reams of it.  On desks, shelves...piled up high.  Literally, EVERYWHERE.   Apparently the act of 'architecting' requires it in large quantities.

My next flight of fancy came with a brief visit with Rick Chow, the Associate Director of Design.  What makes Rick unique in the realm of architecture is that he is the only architect at the firm, (and probably a rarity in any firm), who still draws by hand.  No Autocad or Revit for this man.  He's going at it old school.

The man himself.  Rick Chow  Associate Director of Design, BKDI Architects

Being an artist who teaches perspective drawing, I could completely appreciate the technical skill and knowledge that goes into each of these drawings.  Each one shifts from being merely a technical drawing, to a work of art.  So why does he do it by hand, when a computer can do the same thing probably quicker and easier?  Well as Rick told it, each one tells a story and conveys a sense of magic that the computer just can't replicate.  Plus, I think he just really likes getting his hands dirty.

What??  Nupastels and a box of Prismacolors?  When was the last time anyone saw THOSE?  

Some great signage, for when those 'moments' take hold...