Studio chronicles:my daily art routine
My art studio is the heart of my home and my work. It's always there, ready and waiting for me, and I make sure to dedicate at least 4 to 6 hours of focused creativity each day. If I drop in outside these hours, it's usually to tidy up or reorganize. We've been in our home for just over a year, and after adjusting the layout a few times, the studio feels like my own. It's a compact space, just shy of 200 square feet, and it also hosts a guest Murphy bed. It's a bit brisk in the winter, but delightfully cool in summer. Once I step into my studio, it's as if time stands still - I often have to set a timer to remind me when it's time to rejoin the world.
On any given day, I head downstairs and get straight to painting. I prefer to keep distractions at bay, but my studio practice isn't separate from my life, it's an integral part of it. So, I adapt as needed. I take a bottle of water with me and, more recently, a thermos of hot tea, and no snacks. I don’t paint in silence- I listen to audiobooks and podcasts on the free Toronto Public library app, Libby. I like to think that I’m multitasking but I often have to pause the app to give the painting my full attention or re-listen to vast parts of the recording because I’ve lost track of it. Some days I go live on Twitch TV and talk to anyone interested in my process or just another artist who wants to talk about grey color ( true recent example ) or anything art related. This is relatively new and I don’t do it often enough to build a following but I enjoy connecting with people this way and I plan to be more present on Twitch.
My cat and dog often keep me company in my studio's cozy space. They've each found a special spot for their afternoon snoozes. I can't help but film their shared moments of slumber. These snapshots are the most admired content on my Instagram stories.
At the end of my studio day, I usually start feeling a little restless. My focus starts shifting and I know I only have ten minutes to call it a day. I detach myself from my work, clean my palette thoroughly, wash my brushes, turn off the lights and get out at once.
This simple end-of-day routine, while it may seem trivial, is the result of years of experience. I have learnt the hard way that lingering, adding extra time, pushing my boundaries, rushing to finish, or letting overthinking flood my mind, can result in a painting descending into the trash bin. So even if I haven't accomplished everything I planned, I make it a point to step away the moment my focus starts to waver.
This strategy may sound too simplistic to be effective; however, my practice has taught me otherwise. This knowledge has been acquired at the cost of several promising but failed paintings. Despite the allure of tweaking and improving little things at the very last minute, I remain committed to this routine. This helps me maintain the sanity and authenticity of my art.
My studio time is a crucial aspect of my life. Even when I'm out or swamped with other tasks, the thought of returning to my workspace feels like a prize. Whenever I’m taking a break during my usual studio hours, I always weigh it against the value of that time in my studio.
When I'm in my studio, drawing or painting, I feel a deep sense of contentment. It's in this space that I'm truly living my purpose, and it fills me with happiness.
