Finding space

Our anniversary was a lot of fun. We drove to Largo for chocolate, then took another trip across the Sunshine Skyway. Once across, we drove north on US Highway 41 back to Tampa. Stopped for pizza, then watched Lord of the Rings off and on over the rest of the weekend. The picture to the left is of the chocolates we bought at William Dean in Largo. [Sam's choices are on the top row, mine are on the bottom.]

This week, I noticed that our bedroom gets a lot of natural light. The room having two windows would certainly help with that fact, but what I really noticed is that the light is perfect for making art. In actuality, the layout of the apartment is such that the room we use as the office/studio is likely meant as the master bedroom, with its own walk-in bathroom. However, when Sam moved in a few years ago, he opted to make the other bedroom his own, because of the quietness of being on the corner of the building.

I was in no way suggesting that we swap the rooms (mostly because of the effort involved in such a feat), and told Sam that what I may do is lay down a drop cloth and paint in the bedroom.

I’ve noticed that since buying the laptop, the amount of time I spend in the (rather dark and drab) office/studio is nearly nothing. The sole window has the balcony/steps overhang over it, so while light does come in the room, it’s nowhere near as bright. The living room window is the same, except that it is larger.

I’m trying to reconcile the fact that 94% of the items in the apartment preceded me and belong to Sam. I, of course, have free use of just about everything, but it is difficult for me to start rearranging space without his input, because, well, he was here first. I de-cluttered so much of my stuff before I made the move, so I have little to pare down now. Unfortunately, this leaves Sam to do most of the work of sorting, because I don’t know if some book that hasn’t moved in the last six months is a book that was a gift, or if he was ready to part with it ages ago and just hadn’t. Then I’d have to interrupt him to ask, and the whole process would just take eight times as long to do.

My part is boxing/bagging up what is leaving the apartment. It’s about all I can do right now.

Anyway, I feel stifled creatively in the office/studio, so very little was done the first few months after I moved. Jewelry has been made since moving out to the living room, but the light in here isn’t the best, either.

Something Sam and I agreed on early was that our bedroom was to be a sanctuary. No video games, work, etc. Books are allowed, because we both like to read, and we’re reading through The Princess Bride right now together, as well as reading our own selections. The laptop has made appearances in there, but mostly is in other parts of the apartment. So, I feel mixed about taking art supplies into our sanctuary. On one hand, the light should be wonderful for working. On the other…it’s our sanctuary. No working.

For the sake of art actually being created, a compromise will either need to be made, or I’ll just have to get over my reluctance.

What do you do for creative space?