My studio, a place where my ideas come to life...
Artists have always tried to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in order to create. To truly liberate the imagination is to have space and freedom to reflect, create, and innovate, allowing your creativity to flourish.
Never was this put more to the test than during the pandemic! Artists like me, who usually maintain studios outside of our homes, were forced to improvise. We turned to desks at home, the kitchen table or – for the lucky ones – a garden shed. But what started out as something immensely frustrating quickly became a valuable lesson. Through this process, our idea of creativity evolved. Instead of relying on a special room to be the perfect place in which to produce things, we shifted to an understanding that any space can become ‘the studio,’ even if only for a short time between other uses. It was a privilege to discover all over again that all creativity needs is a tiny pocket of space in which to bloom.
In your home, you might have a dedicated craft room or a garden shed or garage that you’ve taken over. You might even have a wardrobe you’ve turned into a creative space or a kitchen table shared with your family. If that’s what is currently available to you, that is already more than enough. Every artist who pulls out their making supplies in the evening after the dishes have been cleared from the table is taking the time to do something truly precious – prioritising having a place and time for making.
But many of us find that our creativity is strengthened in the company of others. Often artists share studio spaces, where they can benefit from the support and camaraderie of other makers. Others still prefer to work in complete solitude – maintaining a private studio separate from their home. Whatever your set-up, the most important thing is that you have that space. Whether you work at the kitchen table after the kids have gone to bed, or whether you work daily in your own private studio, keeping that space is the precious act of giving yourself the freedom to let your imagination flow.
I feel incredibly lucky to have the space that I use for my studio today. It’s a spacious, beautiful environment that relaxes me, and encourages my dreams. A sanctuary where I can hide away in my own world and bring my ideas to life. On the days when I feel creatively lost – perhaps at the end of a big project, or at a crucial point in a series – being in my studio always inspires me and helps me re-centre myself.
The things that I keep in my studio and the way I’ve set up the room has a big impact on my work, so I make sure the environment is as nurturing and inspiring as possible. My studio is a personal space filled with my paintings, hand-printed lampshades and cushions, bags and purses, fabric samples and many other things. This is where the magic happens – the place where I can bring my artistic visions to life, and also the space where our team comes together to work on upcoming courses and workshops. While working from home, we have realised how much our vision as a team grows when we get together in one place.
Without a space to create, I would be lost. It is profoundly important to me that my creative side is nurtured and given room to grow and flourish, and I love having a studio that offers me that opportunity. I am always so delighted to be able to offer that welcoming space to others when I run craft courses and workshops from my studio.
Whatever your studio setup looks like, being an artist demands very little except that we allow our imaginations to run free every once in a while! Every maker is doing something fantastic every time they make space and time in their life to be creative. I am so excited to see what my upcoming students will create during their time in my studio!
Moji
