“Create a space that inspires you to play”
Although I am a firm believer that creativity can be manifested in many ways and in many different places, I personally have found that I create momentum when I allow myself to take over a space.
This page is a small glimpse into the various corners of magic that I have called my creative home at one point or another. Each different, but each vital in my development and ability to play and create.
Both the spaces and the artwork that manifested there still directly connect to the concepts that I continue to unpack today.
2011
Cockeysville, MD - Home Studio (The Charlie Treehouse)
My parents have always been extremely supportive of my creative practice. Growing up I never doubted my creative abilities and the possibilities that were before me. My junior year of high school, I took a high level Studio Art I course focused on pushing artists beyond the fundamentals. Geared toward a future college credit, this course opened my eyes to conceptual art in a whole new way and showed me the tunnel vision dedication that I naturally poses when feeling inspired with a particular project.
My senior year, this tight knit art community of students got even closer with our AP Studio Art II course. In addition to preparing a portfolio of 30 works (15 of a unified theme, and 15 showing our extensive breathe and diversity as artists) our professor also challenged us with hosting our first exhibitions by the end of the semester. From providing the artwork, designing the exhibition with retractable panels, creating artist statements and show labels, and advertising our exhibition opening reception to our friends and family, this was a crash course to the exhibiting world and I loved every second of it.
In addition to going to the high school art room every morning early before classes started, this home studio is where most of the magic began. Initially built to be a tree house, my parents transformed this structure into what I called “The Charlie Tree”- a home studio including windows that faced the woods, tabletop desks made out of hallow doors, rope lights for ambiance, a pegboard wall for organization and a large tree situated directly through the middle of it serving as a water wall during heavy rainstorms.
I wish I appreciated this space more at the time but the work that I created in the late nights here still influence the work I create today.
2011 - 2014
Blacksburg, VA - Classroom Studio Spaces
On a mission to further explore my attraction and curiosity for geometric shapes and bold colors, I studied at Virginia Tech where I earned my BA in Studio Art, B.F.A in Art History and M.F.A in Material Culture and Public Humanities.
Through my undergraduate exploration of courses, I worked in a variety of mediums but the one consistent trend was my gravitation toward abstract, geometric, and bold color forms.
2014 - 2015
Blacksburg, VA - Senior Studio
August 2014 to May 2015
Virginia Tech, School of Visual Arts - Senior Studio
Starting as a single desk against a blank wall, this space evolved through an informal daily practice of sketching, experimenting and exploring. From traditional acrylic painting and sculpture to more technology based tessellation photography, vinyl cut patterns and laser engraving designs, this space quickly took on an energy of it’s own.
Over the two semesters, dozens of works were created in a variety of mediums and concepts. The final series was on exhibit in three different locations.
The Taking Control series can be explored here.
2016 - 2017
Raleigh, NC - Apartment Home Studio
Not always certain as to where I would fit into the arts industry puzzle, while in school I was on a mission to wear as many hats as I could in order to get the full art education experience. Artist, gallery attendant, curator, exhibition designer, artist assistant, instructor, coordinator, digital marketer, mentor; my sense of urgency and go-go-go only fueled my excitement and vision as to what was possible in the future.
However, wearing a million different hats at once is not particularly sustainable long term and the inevitable post-graduation burn out hit me hard.
So after taking the leap of faith and moving to Raleigh with no job lined up, it took me a solid year before truly jumping back into a creative practice. While I would dabble here and there with side projects, I lost my drive and frankly felt lost in my direction.
However, even with this burn out, I still set up a studio space because I know the importance of keeping my work at the forefront of my mind even if I was not actively creating. After accepting a job at a laser engraving studio I gave myself the grace of easing back into my creative practice by learning and mastering new creative technologies, continuously fine tuning my creative habits, and channeling my sense of urgency as a motivator within my process rather than a necessity.
2018 - 2019
Garner, NC - Apartment Home Studio
Moving to the south side of Raleigh, I transformed my second bedroom into a home art studio.
Although I did not create a significant amount of work in my previous apartment, I knew that I wanted to prioritize my practice again and the first step was establishing a creative space to let loose. Serving as both an office, home gym, and studio provided for a series of challenges, however, it forced me to use the space more efficiently and the constant visual of works in progress in my living space allowed me to hone in on a more regular studio practice.
After recovering from studio burn out, my initial focus for this studio began as a no expectations space to create but slowly evolved into the beginning development of my Shadows of Influence Series.
2020
Garner, NC - Apartment Home Studio
After committing to a more consistent practice, my studio quickly transformed and evolved on a weekly basis. Between my 2020 Daily Drawing series and the ever growing Shadows of Influence series, my home studio has become my colorful sanctuary of inspiration. Only limited by the number of hours in a day, early mornings are no stranger for this space.
As some creatives may be able to relate to, after a few years of burn out, it feels SO GOOD to feel excited about a series again! I am excited to see how this space evolves even more over the next year and the creative projects that manifest in this colorful getaway.
NOW, I CHALLENGE YOU:
Think about the spaces in which you inhabit. Your craft table, your living room, your gym, your office, your yard - think about the various spaces that you are connected to and think. What energy or feeling do you have there?
Where is your sanctuary?
If you don’t have one yet, create one! It may begin with a single table. Or if you are on the go maybe it is a perfectly packed backpack that is ready to go anytime you want to travel and be inspired by the world. Leave nothing up to chance and think of any items you may need - a notebook, your favorite pens or pencils, a phone charger to keep your favorite playlist going, stencils or any other drawing tools that you gravitate toward. Simply knowing that you already have all of your favorite and best tools together and organized in one place can make the creative process SO much easier and may inspire you to carve out more time in your week to get lost in a creative mindset.
If you already have a creative space, great! How can you take care of it and it’s energy? Try filling it with objects that bring you positive energy, light, hope, inspiration, and (most importantly) the opportunity to transform however you need to in the future. Like your space, YOU will change and having a space that allows for that fluidity of direction is what will help you thrive!
If you are willing to share your magic, I would love to see your space! Tag me in a photo on social media and together let’s create more colorful corners of inspiration in the world!