This image is my husband Thomas who always supported me in my endeavors with a thumbs up!
As I write new thought will always be at the top. If you want to see the beginning of this page at some point it will be further down. That will make what’s written as I think of things to be found at the top.
The topic: “The studio” and what it takes for me to be me! The question is? What have I learned about myself as an artist? Meaning how do I do end runs around distractions? What have I learned about keeping a workable studio? How have I finessed it? If what I share can help others, then that is a good thing? I feel artist should talk about their experiences. Many of us go through the same kinds of things.
I like one-liners so I do not over think! Meaning a simple sentence or perhaps a couple. Things like “Just do it!” The trick here is to do just that and not over think! Plunge right in and do not ask the who, what, when, where and how of the matter.
I make a practice of tidying things up after I work, this allows me to come back to the study and continue or set about a new project. I am prepared for whatever I wish to do. It looks good to me and if someone comes by. I organize the space and make it welcoming too. It is the first space people come into now. I have a wall for the art I have framed for selling. One wall is set up to divide my art file, shelve & cubicle that holds art supplies. This leads to two drawing tables set side beside before a large picture window for light. The opposite side from the window has my worktable with a light, this has a portable drawing table on the surface. The table beneath it is a very nice wooden card table that doubles as a dining table when I have company. I love things that have more than one purpose.
Because I love books I have a long book case that runs from the door of my kitchen to the front door. This houses fiction to, non-fiction, to books on art. It is also where my laminating print making press stays. Beside this I have my Meedon easel. These easels are very handy as they can be upright or lay flat. I use a big black mat and can pen my pastel paintings on it to work them.
The desk where I work is an extension of the studio in that this is where the computer is. I can see into my studio and my bedroom or the bathroom from this advantage point. To my left there is what I dub the reading and music are. If you were here, you would see a long narrow library table that has my vintage style record, cd, tape, mp3 player. I have a lot of music! And the books. This is also where research is done on a folding stand or its done in the studio at the table there. Depends on how much I need to spread out. The library table holds other personal things that make it cozy, a second bookshelf is by the door facing the studio. It has personal things that make this a cozy corner too! Picture are on the wall, and a vintage style clock. The effect is Boho. Two low barrel chairs are in front of the library table and off to one side a rather unique looking standing lamp.
My home is a small apartment so blending it all together has been a fun challenge. What can be put away and what do I want to be a part of the fun? Such as four little lizards that climb around walls of the countertop. It is important to make your space cozy yet workable!
The bedroom needs to be cozy too! This is where I can lay down to read. There is no living room with a couch. I opted for a studio.
I find myself smiling because I am happy and I love what I have done to my new home. Placing the things I love around.
My approach was to live with what I need to have as an artist. I set these things up first and lived with it. It did change as I saw how things would work. The art file needed to be in a corner so I could have the space for the drawing tables. I need to fit in a stand and shelving for art supplies so these could be organized. I thought about what kind of chairs I would need. Would I be able to move easily, and work at different places. Yes! Mission accomplished! I do move my chair back and forth between the studio and the work desk in the kitchen. I often think of getting another chair for the studio.
Other thoughts.
I had worked with a business coach for several years and learned a lot about the business end of art from her. Her name is Catherine Orer and she formed Facebook group The Artist Entrepreneur Network.
I am finally at a point to put what I learned into action. It’s not that I haven’t, it is that things have been waylaid. The death of my husband in 2020, selling our home and moving, then moving two more times. Life got in the way. That took a chunk of time. My point is that I continued to work in my studio even with all the hubbub because I need to have consistency and perseverance to move forward and to position myself. There were things that I could do! Such as creating art, working on slideshows, writing a manual for Shibui Found Image Art and teach the foundation of Shibui.
There were things that “got in the way” of consistency. These are things we must overcome by seeing things them for what they are and how important they are to moving us forward or backwards or simply stalling us. Art won’t happen if you don’t do it, a good working space won’t happen if you don’t figure out how to have it! We do not learn from creating without being regularly consistent!
I kept my eyes on the prize. I thought about how to move forward and regain control over my life as an artist. My move displaced me from what I had been building on and that was having a actively working studio with a source of income.
Living life is a very busy business, with families, friends, jobs often a day job is needed for an artist to buy supplies. You have to reach a certain level where you know how to apply the business end of doing art.
The art we create is a product; we are art entrepreneurs! We can put art on the surface of things these days. Artist need purpose. There is a need for art! Art is beautiful, interesting, has a purpose to facilitate what needs to be said. It can be used as therapy. Just creating it is therapeutic!
Making time is what will get you there! Being serious about what you do. Loving what you do is important! Giving what you do meaning, and purpose is vital to becoming a professional artist!
Tending your websites, creating a business plan for the year, keeping a planner and journalling are key to being professional as well.
4/28/2026
Anisette Studio 
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