Where Women (Really) Create


I do love the magazines Where Women Create and Cloth Paper Scissors Studios. I love drooling over the nicely picked up creative places. Sometimes I wonder if anyone really creates there, though. Or the people who work there must have some magical studio fairy that cleans up. Or they only show the studios of people who are naturally tidy.

I lead a group about Izannah Walker Dolls, and we have a thread going called "Where Women Really Create". What I wish is that there would be a kind of "Clean Sweep" section where these magazines would help a person rework their studios for better function.


I have some ideas about my painting table, which is an old metal garage storage unit that got plunked at the bottom of the stairs when we moved in here. I envision some shelving on adjustable tracks above the painting table. Also,instead of a painting table I could get a kitchen cabinet for one side with drawers to house stuff. Because things slide to the back of the metal shelving in my present arrangement. I need a place to hang painted doll limbs for drying.


Of course, redoing the shelving will make no difference at all unless I change my messy packrat ways. ;-) Even with my organizational challenges, I do manage to make some things!


I bet you feel really good
about yourself right now.
Grin.

9 comments:

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi sweet Dixie!!! I LOVE seeing where you create your gorgeous dolls!!! It's REAL....and I hope when they show up here to photograph my studio it's as wonderful as they think!! It truly is a jumbled gathering of furniture to store all of my loved collections. I do think that every studio they feature cannot be a "showplace" and I've see some that have that gathered look....and that's what mine will look like!!! Jo and the Where Women Create team are coming in March but I will definitely have to dust away the cobwebs because definitely I don't love cleaning in there...just creating!!! hugs and love, Dawn

Dixie Redmond said...

Aw, Dawn! How great for you! I'm so glad. I'm just going to pretend I'm from one of those magazines and photo my befores and afters. :-)

Unknown said...

Hi Dixie,
I'm glad you love our magazine. I can guarantee you that the artists in Cloth Paper Scissors Studios really do create there. They are all real, working studios. However, the artists do like their spaces to "look their best" when they are going to be on display, and some spend weeks tidying up--though we do not require that. We would love to see more pictures of your studio so we can consider it for publication.
Cate Prato
Editor, Cloth Paper Scissors Studios
Cate Prato

Dixie Redmond said...

Cate - how nice! My space would have to be a before and after kind of story....those are my most favorite kinds of stories - the ones that show transformation. Transformation appeals to the artist in me. ;-)

Dixie

The Creative Bohemian said...

Dixie,

Your space is rather organized compared to the scary jumble I have thrown into the wall unit (my current studio) in my living room.

I believe artists are inherently messy. It is part of the creative zone that we get into. How can you create while worrying about staying neat? I'll take blind creativity over a perfectly organized workspace any day. :-)

Diane

softinthehead said...

Oh Dixie...Your studio is magical compared to my small and over-whelming workspace! I have a Santa moblie over my space that often is carrying bits of fluff and what-nots from an explosion that occured on my worktable....I guess they thought of me when they said "Creativity is NOT a pretty sight"! I loved reading your blog....Pam

vi said...

hi, i been redoing my studio since we moved in! 23 years-many incarnations. this current redo has been in progress for a year. i agree that the magazine studios are very pretty, however you know that a cat will jump and you will rush and knock over paint water, or something and the mess will be spectacular. no fancy carpets in a true working productive studio. i decided that in my newest incarnated studio everything will be on wheels. the shakers had a good idea there
vi

Unknown said...

Hi Dixie, the doll in last photo is the same from the Izannah pattern withouth the sculpted bust or is it a different version?

Dixie Redmond said...

Elisa, it is the same pattern but does not yet have clay added to it.


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden