I have been on a mission to organize, declutter and rearrange every room in my home.

For some reason, there are not many photos of my studio before I started to reorganize. And when I get in the mood, I forget to take pictures.

Changes to my Art studio

The table is now a tilting table. I contemplated about purchasing it, but thought it would be helpful to tilt a table when I am drawing or painting. It is still in front of the window.

The small 8″x8″ paintings are no longer being sold on etsy. I found etsy impossible to keep up with. I felt it was more discouraging for me to work on it. It was too much stress of working a full time job and trying to establish a small business on etsy. I also felt the paintings I created were not being viewed even though I endlessly worked on the SEO to market my show. At the end of this decision, I realized I just don’t like to create art for a fast paced world and rather take time to cross stitch and knit and every so often paint and draw.

Another part of the studio that changed is where I keep my supplies. I decided that the shelves were cluttering my creative space. The closet was not being used effectively. I moved the shelves in the closet and now it is arranged in a neat, organized area.

The craft cart below has been helpful to organize all of my paint. It is nice it can be wheeled to the easel and the table. And kept out of the way when I am doing yoga. Below there is a link to a cart that is similar to this one on Amazon.

Now the chair, that will not be tossed out. Yes my cat has attacked it, scratched it and has claimed it for himself. I placed a chair cover over it in this bright orange fabric. I also placed other blankets on it to raise the seat for me to be at the table.

But who tends to be using the table? My cat. That’s ok, as long as my plants are not bothered. (I think he knows better) maybe.

The easel, right now is not being used. I tend to get inspired to paint when it is spring and I can open my windows!

Nothing else has changed. I still use this room for yoga. I want to work on art. But I am feeling trapped in my thinking and the creative side of me is just tired.

As an artist who went to art school, but never liked the business side to it. I am at a place in my life (midlife crisis perhaps) that I want to sew and learn how to make purses and aprons and quilts. I like the feel of the threads and needles in my hands.

Will I return to Etsy? No idea. Will I sell art? No idea. Do I still want to write a book about how to make art for an art therapy journal? Yes. Am I working on it? Not lately. Do I still dream of selling my art full time? Yes. But do I want to focus on it? No. Would I rather spend more time on art therapy and working as a counselor? yes, it pays well. Also I like blogging. Do I have ambition to finish my list of projects that I wrote at the beginning of the year? yes. I want to work on my knitting blanket so badly!!!

What is 4paws up to anyway?

I have been focusing on decluttering, reorganizing and making life more simple. Also been working on learning more about eating gluten free and dairy free. I have been documenting my trials and errors of trying new recipes, making gluten free bread and cooking on a budget.

When I am not seeing clients, I am usually doing yoga or knitting. On the weekends, cross stitch comes out, because I can spend more time stitching without being interrupted.

There are books I want to read, but I am just not a reader. I prefer movies and stories than to read. Because movies allow me to stitch and listen together.

What has this past year taught me?

• To never get myself involved in any organization or group that will be time consuming.
• To think things over and it’s ok to say to someone I need more time to decide.
• To live more in the moment
• To declutter to know what I have!
• Don’t stress about money. I will be ok.
• Live your dream life where you are at, don’t wait to live it in the future.
• It’s more than ok to say NO.
• Wear more dresses and skirts-after all you are more comfortable in them.
• Put more music on-still working on it.
• It’s ok, to stitch instead of painting. It’s what I prefer
• Think for a few weeks before I make that purchase. I will survive.
• Go ahead and buy that sewing machine when you are ready to make a quilt.
• And it’s ok to change your mind and stitch the quilt by hand like your great aunt and grandmother did.

Happy Day

Caroline

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