I spent the last two weekends in my studio, talking to people about my art as part of the Philomath Open Studios Tour. So much fun! I finally remembered to take pictures this last weekend so I can give you all a virtual studio tour. 

Welcome to my studio! Let me show you around.

  
My space is supposed to be a formal living room, but we already have a family room off the back of the kitchen, and who needs two rooms with couches? It has the best light, with the south-facing window looking out at the street. And my comfy chair is strategically placed so I can read in a sunbeam, when we are lucky enough to to have some sun.

On the right side of the room is my work desk, which becomes a display for the open studio event. I take my normal art down and hang my own work for display. I leave a few things in place, like my decorative “create” and “dream” plaques. On the left edge you can see one of my photo ropes. I have three of these, and this where I hang test prints and new work to decide if I like it enough to keep it in my portfolio.

  
I tuck a few pieces in the left corner, behind the chair. Some of my guest artist’s glass is on display on the shelves. You’ll notice the shadows from the light. Light has always been a challenge in this room when it’s not bright outside. I mostly use task lights when I need them, which are not the best for display. My dream is to have track lighting put in this room someday.

  
The display clips above my desk normally hold cards, postcards, and other small pieces of art I’ve picked up here or there. Last year I took it down and hung large pieces, but reinstalling the cables was a lot of work so I decided to make use of it as is. I figured out my small prints could hang quite nicely there! And my computer desk becomes display as well, with the screen saver running an editing sequence which helps me talk through my process.

  
Adjacent and open to my studio is our dining room, which is repurposed as well. We move the dining room table over against the window and it makes a nice open space. You can see Nena Bement’s glass looked great here! And of course, I took over the dining room wall.

  
Thanks for coming by my virtual studio tour! 

The whole event seemed much easier this year, probably because I had opened my studio last year and knew what to do, and maybe because of all of the art fairs. In some ways, this is easier than art fairs — no setting up and taking down the tent. I don’t even have to drive anywhere! In other ways it’s a little harder, because it effects our living space and my family gets a bit displaced. My art is all cleaned up and off the walls now, but I have to rehang the normal decorations. It may take a while to make that happen since I have no deadline. But I will have the gentle reminders of my family to get me in gear. 🙂

With the open studios tour wrapping up, my art fair/event season is complete. The next few months I get to regroup and figure out my plans for the next year. I’ve been ruminating on what I’ve learned this year and changes I’m going to make. I’ll share a post on my “Lessons Learned” from my second year doing art fairs in the near future.