I believe we have turned the corner…and things are looking great. After being in our new home for a little over 6 months, we have managed to find space for everything we need…and became even more ruthless in purging for those things that didn’t make the final cut. The 10x10 storage unit that I rented is about two-thirds empty…and after the Artist Garage Sale, (you don’t want to miss this…I have tons to unload at dirt cheap prices!) there won’t be much left other than 2 tubs of Christmas decorations and a few boxes of display items and workshop supplies.

In reconstructing our living space and my work studio, it really boiled down to looking at things differently…what was the best use of an item, how could it be stored/organized/assessible for everyday living. Could I find new ways to think about living space and not be destined to buy anything additional for our home.

Much of what was accomplished harkened back to an old mantra of mine that has been instrumental in my art work…

Layering and labeling have been critical…we have limited horizontal space but more vertical options. Everything in the kitchen is stacked and organized in trays and containers to keep things corralled. Most of the bins and boxes in both offices are labeled so time spent searching for items is minimized. An vintage pine dresser in the living room serves as an organizer of tools, stationery supplies, and tech accessories while the tv monitor sits on top. Our favorite antique Danish chest didn’t work in the bedroom but stores all our linens, bedding and hardware paraphernalia in a corner of the Southern Man’s office. The table in my studio space is our dining room table from the old house. The expansion leaf neatly stores underneath the table top…a quick sweep of my computer and work supplies onto a shelf, pull out the leaf, throw on a tablecloth and we can entertain dinner guests in the “atelier”!

Getting our home in order was essential since I had a major art project to finish up. I am thrilled to be one of the artists invited to participate in FOLD Gallery’s group show, “Bouyant”. Located in downtown Los Angeles, this show focusing on the use of paper in art, will run from May 21 thru July 21.

I’ve created 10 new collage compositions for this exhibit, utilizing vintage paper ephemera with my own collage painted papers, embellished with found objects. I encourage you to stop in and enjoy the exhibit if you are in the area.

The rest of the year will include plenty of travel, both here and abroad. It feels good to have a new home base which offers a soothing and calm space to relax. Initially after we moved, I used to drive by the old house on a regular basis, wondering how the new owners were settling in, what changes they made, what questions they had…you live in a house for over 20 years, you get attached! No longer do I drive by…we have other roads to explore now.