The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Downsizing”

Episode 261: Moving Your Studio: Emotions and Memories

Rebecca Crowell — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:00:00 -0500

In our last episode we talked about some of the practicalities of downsizing, clearing out, or moving your studio, and tips about ways to deal with your artwork, supplies, and other items that you’ve accumulated. But what about the emotional side of this? We’re going to focus today on how it feels to move out of a studio that has been a very important part of your life. You may be on top of the logistics involved in dealing with downsizing, but you are not a robot, mechanically sorting and tossing. Today we’ll talk about the fact that your studio is a very personal place that can evoke a flood of memories and emotions when you need to leave it behind. And we’ll also mention the benefits and positive aspects of going through this process.

A studio is a place to make your work, but it's also much more. It is a sanctuary and refuge, and a place of contemplation where you have spent countless hours working, thinking, and observing your work. Your studio represents your personal history as an artist and all its ups and downs. So it’s no wonder we get attached to our studios as well as fill them with a large buildup of objects and inventory. The physical objects themselves hold memories and feelings that can be overwhelming at times.

Pressure to meet moving deadlines, confronting your habits of hoarding or over-purchasing art supplies, and perhaps regrets over work that was never finished or sold that can all be stressful and bring up difficult emotions. Yet there are also fascinating and rewarding parts of the process when we see connections to older work, or are reminded of art friends, mentors, and experiences as we sort through our stuff. You may feel deep gratitude for your life as an artist when you realize the depth and breadth of your work and life as an artist.

Anyone who is on the other side of major downsizing tends to be pleased and relieved. The process gives you a fresh start and provides a sense of feeling more organized and purposeful. Instead of a jumble of bits of your past, with perhaps only minimal organization, in your new space you will know precisely what you own, where it is, and overall, you will have a good sense of what everything you’ve kept means to you. It's easy to lose sight of these positive aspects of moving while you are in the middle of this often-exhausting process, but they do await you.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.
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When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy? As Rebecca and Jerry enter the fourth year of live programming, they are bringing a special emphasis to reviewing and consolidating prior learning, as well as to increased member involvement on a variety of topics like professional development, mentoring issues, and other questions posed to the group. As always, Members are also encouraged to take part in the online sessions, where lively discussions take place as Rebecca and Jerry respond in real time, And don't forget that Cold Wax Academy Members have unlimited streaming access to over 100 previously recorded sessions covering a broad range of topics. You don't have to use cold wax medium to benefit from the content in these recordings. Artists who use other painting media will also find a wealth of valuable information there, from the effective use of the visual elements and composition, to personal voice and intentions, to personal issues like procrastination and work/life balance--and much, much more. For more info and to join CWA please visit www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.
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For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast
•
For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com
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The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

Episode 260: Downsizing For Artists

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 23:00:00 -0500

The contents of an artist’s studio tend to be anything but minimal. Most of us accumulate a lot of art supplies not only for our current needs but for other projects that we have in in mind, or just because we love the possibilities suggested by a new material or tool. Then there is our inventory of older work, sometimes going back decades, as well as lots of miscellaneous items that tend to land in a creative space. Shelves, drawers, and closets become crammed as all this stuff builds up. Whether you are planning a move or just want to clear out some space, downsizing is a major project.

Downsizing a studio requires a great deal of energy and many decisions, and it may be your total focus for weeks or even months depending on the scale of what you’re doing. While the
basic logistics of clearing out a studio aren’t very different from similar work in a garage or basement, personal attachment to what you need to get rid of is stronger when it comes to your artwork and other things in your studio space. Much of what you must deal with is intimately tied to your creative self and part of your personal history as an artist.

Dealing with artwork is probably the biggest challenge you will face when you are clearing out a studio. There are some good ways to sell some of this work, including holding a studio sale or online sale, especially if you put some thought and planning into the logistics of this. Other pieces may be given away or donated to a local art center, hospital, or charity organization. Putting old work or other items from your studio in the common area of a building that houses artist studios with a "free" sign is another solution.

Art supplies, art books, studio furniture, teaching supplies, and miscellaneous things you've collected for inspiration can all be problematic as you sort and decide their destinations. But there will be many items that you realize you no longer need or want. Art studios tend to accumulate decades of your various projects and ideas, many of which you will have moved past.

Downsizing or clearing out living space has been a topic for several years in the general media but as artists we have special challenges due to the highly personal aspects of what we are dealing with, and the fact that in terms of the value of things, the usual categories of what can be given away, sold, or tossed, are less clear. It is a challenging project, but the rewards of finally finishing the clearing process are great.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy? As Rebecca and Jerry reach the end of their third year of Live sessions they are launching a new phase of programming aimed at reviewing and reinforcing foundation topics--beginning with Color in their Summer quarter that starts on July 5th. This summer's sessions will also mentoring and professional development topics, as well as a painting clinic and a member critique. As always, Members of Cold Wax Academy have unlimited streaming access to over 100 previously recorded sessions. And a table of contents to easily find specific topics in the recordings will soon be available. For more info and to join CWA please visit www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

Episode 186: Decluttering: Can A Messy Studio be Too Messy?

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 16:00:00 -0500

Artists are always given the good advice to be productive as they can, to make lots of work, to go to the studio nearly every day. That’s because only by doing a lot of work can you really progress and explore your full potential. Yet the results of all that creative output will inevitably pile up in the studio and in your home, leading to storage problems and other more personal issues. Today we will talk about the challenges of dealing with the accumulation of your own artwork.

Few of us are able to sell or give away everything we do as we go, if we are at all productive or have been making art for any length of time. We all have different amounts of storage and wall space so for some people it is easy to hang onto things if they have room. Yet for all of us the day will come when we want or need to downsize our past work-- if only to make it easier for others to deal with it when we no longer can.

This is an emotional and demanding task. But athough it is often tedious, there are also some pleasurable aspects to reviewing your work over the years and choosing the best pieces to keep. Some of this work may end up in your own collection, and some may be offered for sale or given as donations or gifts. While selling or gifting may sound easy, the reality can be complicated. What is the best way to run a sale of your work? Do you need to take your local gallery into consideration? Can you find a place for a donation where the work will be on public view?

The mediocre work, bad work, or repetietive work that you cull is also challenge to dispose of. Some artists choose a ritual buring, others brace themselves to fill a dumpster. Probably the best strategy is to avoid massive accumulations of work in the first place by purging your stacks periodically.

PS: if you are interested in the older work that Rebecca is offering for sale from her own studio/moving sale, please visit
https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/rebecca-crowell

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

A new quarter is underway at Cold wax Academy, the online learning program developed by Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin. This summer, the weekly online sessions focus on Mark-making, Setting and Following Intentions, and Composition. All sessions are recorded so that you can learn at your own pace, and there are supplementary assignments and other opportunities to participate. Join Rebecca, Jerry, and current members to take part in this exciting international community of artists. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com to sign up and start taking advantage of all that Cold wax Academy has to offer its members.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

And just in --for a limited time, Jerry and Rebecca are offering a new membership level that provides access to their extensive video workshop only-- the cost is $249 for 6 weeks of streaming access, plenty of time to watch and rewatch all the in-depth content provided in this unique video.