Living Room Studios and other Inventions

[Linda Fried]

I have had a year from hell- breast cancer, - but all is well now, and I am TRYING......unsuccessfully ...to get back to my painting. My creative desire is still non-existent. I am setting up a studio in my own living room- so this topic is so funny and timely! I thought I was the only one who did such a thing! I'm attaching some pics.....remember....no painting going on just yet, but you can get an idea. It's great because I have 25 foot ceiling and NORTH light! Wish me some creativity, PLEASE!!!
Linda
The first picture is head-on view from base of stairs.
The next is view as you come in door- the right (dining room), and left is studio.) I have divided area with curved interlocking canvas screens, and a pedestal with alabaster sculpture in middle. LOTS of pothos trails down from the loft.
The last picture is from the loft looking down.

[Linda Fried]

And the pictures just keep on coming. Hard to get good shots. The total area (LR and DR) is about 24 W x 20 D.

The first is looking down from the catwalk.
The next is a view that shows my wonderful living pothos looking from catwalk to dining room area. It loves where it's growing, and has made a canopy that gives the dining room more separation, without being too boxy.
The last picture is my glorious north light!

[Michele Rushworth]

Glad to hear you're doing better, health-wise.

Whenever I'm in need of a powerful spark of inspiration to get me jazzed up for painting I find that surfing artist and museum websites does the trick. That and putting prints of work that I love on my walls.

[Julie Deane]

Linda -

Glad you're on the mend. Perhaps some of your creative lack is due to the body needing to recover?

Love your space! And you have a loft - what a great place to store paintings - nearby but not in the way. Love all the windows!

[Marvin Mattelson]

I'm just happy to hear you're doing well and even considering painting.

I find that putting fresh paint on my patette forces me to start painting. I hate to waste paint. Try setting up a small simple still life. Painting from something real beats copying photos any day. Be well!

[Linda Fried]

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and suggestions. Michelle, you're right- I have found great inspiration in the same, and I'm constantly "surfing". Also looking through art magazines....It's not so much the lack of inspiration, it's the lack of - I'm not sure!! But it's been 10 months now, so I have to get myself going!!
Julie, thank you. The doctor told me that the body healing/creative connection is something that I need to just be kind to myself and patient about. Patience is NOT one of my virtues!! LOL But I was very fortunate, and had a lumpectomy, and am healthy now, so the mental anguish isn't really a factor. It's just that I can't seem to get my act together! My loft isn't really good for storage, as the catwalk goes over the liv rm/dining rm to the loft, which is outside my bedroom. In my loft I have a leather club chair and ottoman, round table w/2 chairs, and even a second computer and desk! So no room to "store" there! But I am fortunate that the area under my stairs is huge, finished, and holds ALL my supplies!
Marvin, Beth has tried to get me going to your workshop for 2 years now, and I'm threatening that I'm-a-comin!
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
Linda

[Linda Brandon]

Hi Linda, nice to see you! I'm delighted to hear you are painting again.

I really envy you that ceiling height! You will create wonderful things in this space.