Saturday, June 15, 2013

Blog Anniversary Giveaway

I didn't even realize it, but on June 1st, I passed my four year blog anniversary!! It doesn't seem possible that I've been blogging for four years, but the archives don't lie. So in celebration, I think I will do two things: repost my very first blog post, and offer a giveaway!

I have no idea exactly what will be contained in the giveaway packet... most likely it will be some of my painted papers, some collage bits and pieces, some of my hand-dyed fabric bits, and maybe a small piece of completed art. That's kind of the fun of offering a grab bag giveaway; anything could be in it!

To enter, just comment on this blog post. I don't care what you say in your comment, be as normal or as crazy as you like, and I will chose a name at random in the next few days to receive a packet of funsies!

So, here's my very first blog post, entitled, "This Is My Way Of Saying Hello":

I'm spoiled rotten. I am surrounded by an awesome studio filled with everything imaginable for creating art of all types, from quilts to canvases to fine papers. My studio has been described by family and friends as "the local craft store" and I cannot deny the truth in that- I love paints, dyes, gadgets, paper, fabric and all the million other little bits and pieces that go into hand-crafting beautiful objects.

But I want more, always more. More bookcases. Better storage. Less clutter. More indirect sunlight. Better overhead lighting. Less visual noise. More counter space. Better access to a sink. Less stuff sitting around waiting to be worked on.

Ah ha, I know!! The answer must be to get a larger studio. Of course! I could spend several thousand dollars and finally remodel my garage so I can move into there- THAT has plenty of space! But it doesn't have enough of other the things I need (after all, that's why I moved my studio out of there more than a year ago and appropriated an entire spare bedroom to serve as my new studio), so of course I have to address that... no sink, not enough lighting, incorrect storage- all fixable if I throw more money at it, right?

Oh and naturally, if I'm going to the trouble of remodeling, I can't then just share the space with my husband anymore, I'll need all of it to give me the room I so crave today- so he'll have to go. Where? I dunno, maybe I'll get him a shed. Yeah, he'll like that, a nice manly shed at the far end of the yard (out of sight, naturally- they're so ugly) to store his tools and mulch and whatever else he likes.

A contractor could handle a job like this, right? Pour a little concrete slab, build a shed on it... while he's at it, he could knock a hole or ten in the garage walls so I can have windows. And then maybe install a window A/C unit for the worst of the summer months, ... O O O and maybe built-in cabinetry would be nice... Yes! Because I need MORE. Bet I could accomplish it for the bargain basement price of 10,000$ or so...

Even in this economy, I kid you not- this insanely appealing idea has now been circling around in my brain for 4 months .

And then about three days ago, as I was standing in the middle of my tiny studio floor looking around and grumbling about how unsatisfied I was with the space, a quiet, kindly voice spoke up from somewhere inside my head.

"Get rid of it," the voice told me. But I was distracted, stubbornly cataloging everything wrong with the room that I would surely fix the next time around. I ignored the advice.

"Get rid of ALL of it," this time the voice was louder and more emphatic. It might have even sounded like my mother. And it was impossible to ignore a second time.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" I actually asked the question out loud.

"This is My Art (reverent emphasis, please)," I insisted. "I can't just get rid of it! Look, there are my stacks of hand-dyed fabrics. I LOVE those! And over here is all the paper I've painted for the last 8 years, I need every scrap of it in case I suddenly want to do something in, I dunno, yellow! AND HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE WITHOUT MY CLOSET FULL OF FIBERS??"

The voice was silent, patient, knowing... and I was indignant. Absolutely scandalized. At the annoying art nazi voice in my head. The one that sounded (quietly and kindly) like Mom.

"You don't have to throw it out," the voice finally reasoned, "You could just put it away somewhere."

I wanted to stomp my foot and I almost did.

But then it suddenly struck me that the voice was right- I could put some of it away. Ok, so the voice demanded that I put it all away, but that's just crazytalk; I still need to work! But I could remove the visual noise, the physical clutter and the stacks of unfinished projects. I could increase my space without spending a dime- I just had to be willing to let go of some of the "preciousness" I was beginning to attribute to nearly every item in my cramped and cluttered studio.

I've made excellent strides in that direction in the last few days. I think I can bring my studio back around to a space I love and am inspired by, rather than the one I close the door on and shrink away from because the clutter has captured and silenced my muse.

The garage studio idea is still a good one. But if it's that good today, it will be that good two years from now, or three... when the economy stabilizes and things aren't so scary out there anymore.

So this is me... greedy artist, craving explosions of color and hours that vanish into textured, layered, glorious art. I quilt, I paint, I carve, I photograph and I see art everywhere I look. Welcome to my blog!

- Judi Hurwitt
Approachable Art

This post makes me giggle so much, because I eventually did exactly what I talked about doing... I hired a contractor, dropped 10K into my garage, got an AC unit, a sink, everything I wanted. Except, I was never able to shift my poor husband out into a shed, he just put his foot down about that (and rightly so!)

And then just two years later, after I was happily ensconced in my new space, we moved and I wound up with an even bigger studio space that needed even more renovation! So here I sit, four years later, in the space I dreamed about in my very first blog post.

Mind. Blown.

Anyway, join my giveaway, encourage your friends to join it, blog about it, Pin the heck out of it, whatever! And happy creating!

34 comments:

elle said...

Morning, Judi. You've done it girl! Happy blogiversary. I'm knee deep in my studio listening to the same voice. Gee, maybe I'll get that workroom outside as a reward, too! LOL

Gill said...

Congratulations Judi!
What a great idea to repost your first blog post! I would love a dedicated space of my own - I use a spare bedroom and the kitchen table!

Zee said...

Goog 1st blog! Ive always enjoyed reading your blogs.h
Looking forward to reading them in the future.

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Happy blogging anniversary, Judi! I feel that way about my way too small studio all the time and wish there was a bigger one in my future. Who knows, it worked out for you:)

Ronni said...

Judi,

congrats on your blog anniversary! I've always thought your blog was great and I LOVE that that was your first post. I'm working on getting stuff out of my own studio, but who am I kidding? I'll STILL have way too much stuff in there. LOL!

Robbie said...

OK, I'm loving your first post! What a hoot, really! And I'm trying your gelli tape process!!! Waaayyyy too much fun!
Congrats on your blog anniversary!!! You have been an inspiration to many of us and I'm so happy to have stumbled upon you!!!
Funny, one of your robot words is accomplished! And that you are!

Petra Kooij said...

Fabulous blog:-))
Petra

susan buchanan said...

congratulations!

Maya said...

Wow, how time flies when you're having fun ;) Happy blogging anniversary!

Penny said...

What a wonderful first post! Congratulations on your 4 years and may there be many more.

Unknown said...

I'm glad that you have a space that you love now and and can create everything that you want to.

Kathy said...

You're right--you are spoiled, but isn't it great! I think we deserve our space and we deserve to make it as close to our ideal as we possibly can. And you make awesome art in your space. Keep blogging about it so we can share in being spoiled right along with you!!

Chloe grice said...

Congratulations!! And keep it up, your blog is so inspiring :-)

Anonymous said...

I am inspired by you! I look at my tiny room and grapple with the idea of more storage. A bigger table for my sewing machine. More room for stamps,paint, paper, and fabric. But then I remember two years ago I was working out of a lateral file...my stuff all over the dining room table. It seems that once we start appreciating what we have we are given more! Congratulations on making your dreams come true and doing in such a way that you truly inspire those around you!


Debbie said...

Happy Blogiversary, Judi! I'd love to be surprised with a grab bag from you.

omyn said...

4 Years!! congratulations! I only recently arrived but I am hoping for 4 more! :D

Buncobuddy said...

Happy, Happy! I've been following you for some time now, and you are quite inspiring! Keep up the blogging. I love it! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Good for you. Four years. I started a blog about a year ago with all the best intentions, but it has become very hit and miss. I enjoy your blog and work. gjeneve@gmail.com

queenopearls said...

Freaking AWESOME JUDI!!!!
WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! And you have blogged about how all stages had some ...er.. hiccups, but you did it!!! Congratulations and I adore not just your art but also the way you share. Thank you!!!!
~Christina in Cleveland

barb said...

congrats on the studio!! it was a long hard process butyou hung in there. so give yourself a pat on the back!! if you ever have any ufos that you dont think you will finish, just send them my way. with a monthly incoe of less than four hundred dollars monthly, fabric is something i cannot afford. i have hand pieced and hand quilted over 200 quilts and gave them to charities like cancer awarnes, neonatal crictal care unit, church raffles, humane society etc. i love to pay it forward. babscorbitt@gmail.com

justval said...

Congats on the studio!! I waited 15 years for studio space and I finally have it. My gosh, I had projects and art stuff packed into every little nook and cranny in our house. Great things come to those who wait!

Maggi said...

I had to laugh when I read your first blog post. I would like to move house but I'm sure I'd never be able to find another with the space that I have here. Maybe I should throw some money at this house and have something purpose built.

Congratulations on 4 years of blogging.

Quilt or Dye said...

Count me in on the fun! Congrats on getting everything you wanted!

Leanne E said...

Wow, a new house and a new studio since you have been blogging :) Glad to see it is all coming together for you :)

Musicmaker said...

I recently remodeled my own workspace - it's a wonderful start to a new part of my life.

Gina said...

Happy Blogiversary Judi! I loved rereading your first post. I remember you were one of the first artists I met online at the then new Quilting Arts Forums, just before I started my own blog, wanting to share and participate in the fiber art community. How wonderful that you've created the dream studio you wrote about in your first post!

Unknown said...

Happy blogiversary! You first blog post is brilliant! Well done for chasing your dream and making it real!

Debbi said...

Nice to see that studio dreams really do come true! Happy Blogiversary!

Lisa Chin said...

Happy Blogiversary! Congratulations on having everything you wanted in your studio! That is wonderful!

Jill R said...

Congratulations - great blog full of inspiration.

suepompetti@verizon.net said...

So unbelievably many ideas, I think my head is going to pop! :D

HollyM said...

I think I've been blogging 4 or five years too. I must check. Sounds like a lovely giveaway! I love to use all kinds of bits in my work.
Thanks!

mkayteem said...

Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Love the tape technique and the textures you used.

Queen Esther said...

wonderful. complete inspiration!