Cedar Lee December 30th, 2008

This is what my studio looks like today.  The gigantic canvas on the floor is something I just started.  It’s on the floor because it’s too big for my easel or any of my available walls.

I’m working on the under-painting, just the very first layers of color, which will serve as a base for the painting.  By the time I finish the painting, it will look very different.

This is going to be the newest addition to my Cosmic Dance Series.  But this one is different–for this one, I’ve taken four separate canvases, two 24″ x 36″s and two 24″ x 30″s, and attached them together to make one large canvas, 48″ x 66″.  They are not firmly attached yet, but eventually I will bolt them together into one solid piece.  If you look closely you can see the seams.

As I prepare to start my New Year, I’m feeling thankful for my little studio.

It’s true that I could use a bit more space–more storage, a workshop area for building canvases and frames, a shop sink and bigger windows–and someday I’ll have the studio of my dreams, with all of these things.

But for now, this will do just fine.

This is my place of business but also my beloved sanctuary.  It’s where the magic happens.

New Year’s Eve is tomorrow!  Are you excited?

I realize that the dates on the calendar are somewhat arbitrary, and there are other calendars that place their New Years elsewhere.  Technically we could choose any day of the year, celebrate what has happened in the past and decide to start fresh from that day forward.  In fact, that would probably be a healthy way to live.

But it’s all too easy, after months of hard work and play, everyday chores, and the constant busy stream of my thoughts, for me to lose perspective on my life.  So I see the New Year as a great opportunity for renewal.

I’m going to be doing some serious de-cluttering and re-focusing this week.  I’m going to take the time to feel good about all I’ve done this year, and also to be honest with myself about the areas (in my artwork, my business practice, and my personal life) that need improvement.  I’m pretty psyched about making a clean slate for myself.  I think it’s just what I need right now.

Happy New Year, everybody!

• Art Studio , Works in Progress
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