I always associate summer with clear blue skies and a riot of colorful blooms. I can’t say it’s my favorite time of year since I am not a fan of heat. I do, however, love to spend time outdoors early in the morning and late in the evening. For the rest of the day, the long hours of sunshine entice me to work on projects longer and more frequently. Although our modern world would have us going full speed every day of the year, we can find value and comfort in pacing ourselves with the natural cycles of the earth. The longer, warmer days of summer are made for excitement and pursuing new passions. The short, cold days of winter lend themselves to reflection and planning. Employers haven’t caught on to this idea yet, but perhaps some day they will. In the meantime, we can choose to align our personal lives and ambitions with nature’s rhythms.
Space to Create
I got moved into my studio space in the Paseo Arts and Creativity Center on my birthday. What a magical gift! My plan for now is to be in the studio on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 to 3. If you’re local to Oklahoma City, be sure to email me (ajgweb@amyjogarner.com) ahead of time to be sure I’m in the studio: I might decide to take a walk and visit some of the Paseo shops. I already discovered Literati Press Comics & Novels and ended up buying a Frida Kahlo candle. The candle is part of a line of candles dedicated to secular saints. Frida is a huge artistic inspiration for me, so I was thrilled to find the candle. It is now sitting in my space where I journal and do my devotionals.
When I was looking for space, I was trying to find something close to home so I wouldn’t be put off by a long drive. Luckily, the Paseo is 10 to 15 minutes from my house depending on traffic. I was surprised to discover that a mental load was lifted by moving my fiber arts equipment and supplies to the studio. It seems odd but knowing that I have the dedicated space to work on those projects makes my home studio seem much more inviting (and less crowded!).
In the Studio
Okay, now that I have loads of space at home and in the Paseo, I need to get busy! Projects with due dates/mail-by dates by the end of this month:
Modern Quilt Guild tree-themed challenge quilt
Five blocks for the Violet Protest project
Collage Art Collective artist trading card exchange
I also have several personal sewing projects going on. I’ll need all the daylight available for the next few weeks!
Camaraderie
The idea of the solitary, moody artist is a stereotype that does not serve us well. In reality, artists thrive on relationships with other creatives. Below are three notable groups of creative people:
The Bloomsbury Group which included writers Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster, economist John Maynard Keynes, critic Clive Bell, and painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
The Algonquin Round Table which included writers Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker, Alexander Woollcott, George S. Kauffman, Franklin Pierce Adams, Marc Connolly, and Edna Ferber.
The Cleveland School arts community which included artists Walter Sinz, Alexander Blazys, Thelma Frazier Winter, Edris Eckhardt, Waylande Gregory, Russell Aitken, and Viktor Schreckengost.
For me, this is one of the biggest benefits to moving into an area where I will be surrounded by other creators. I’m looking forward to the support and inspiration.