Virginia Woolf once wrote “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” If one is to take this statement at face value, there is a practical truth that applies to painting also. Though, I must clarify that the original intent of Woolf’s statement goes much deeper than than just the “simple logistics” of writing. Her book A Room of One’s Own, is a [feminist] critique of the limitations women faced [around writing] as a result of their status, limited education, and poverty during her time.
If you have read some of my previous posts on art (this one, and this one), then you will know that I believe art happens in the every day, as well as outside the studio, and inside the studio. Over the course of my art practice, I have had to either redefine or scale back my art [practice], but somehow, I have always managed to practice art at some capacity. However, I have learnt that in order to successfully paint larger scale oil painting (especially as a mother), a studio is necessary.
Now that I have a room of my own -that is a spare room for whatever I want- I have decided to convert it into a studio/office. This room is small, but not too small. There is a large window facing north, allowing for the right amount of light ( if you have ever painted in a windowless studio or one where the window is facing south then you know what I am talking about). My desk is adjacent to the window where I currently write. My easel, which I have yet to purchase, will go in the corner, opposite my desk.
As I gather inspiration, and momentum, I find myself visualizing the corner of my studio where I will have my paints set up permanently beside my [future] easel. I also have been looking at other artist’s studios here, for further inspiration. It seems funny that almost six years after completing my art program, I finally have room to paint again.
