The Charlie Treehouse
Creative spaces are not discovered, they are made.
This was certainly the case for my first “out of home” art studio, The Charlie Treehouse, located in the backyard of my childhood in Maryland. From an early age I found that I create momentum when I allow myself to take over a space, however, this does not always go over well when you are 15 years old and taking over every table in the house with art projects and storing your supplies.
As a result, this treehouse, turned shed, was given new life as my art studio sanctuary in 2009.
This space is where I was free to think, dream, explore, escape, play, and slow down long enough to witness and be immersed in the magic of the world around me.
Watching the woods come to life with the morning golden glow early before school;
Listening to the animals come to life in the evenings late after basketball practice;
The powerful ambiance of lighting the space with childhood rope lights powered by a large extension cable that traveled the length of the yard until it reached the main house;
Watching packs of deer dance by my window and flocks of bird soar between the trees;
Listening to the sound of rain hitting the roof as streams of water rolled down the bark of the tree inside— my own personal waterfall installation.
This is the room where I had complete control over a space and it planted the seed of what was possible in my creative career.
Now 10+ years later, as I sit in my downtown Raleigh, NC art studio space, I can’t help but think back on the memories in the Charlie Tree Studio with admiration. I have a feeling that the young creative who filled that studio with big dreams and visions of the future would be pretty happy with my new creative space we have created today.
Being able to create artwork, share it with the world, and connect with other members of my community through creativity, is a vision that was only a dream in 2009. Now it is a privilege that I remind myself of daily.
The End of An Era
However, all good memories must be tied up with a bow eventually.
In March 2022 the Charlie Tree Studio was deconstructed and removed as the boards began to bend and the tree that shot through the middle of the space began to decay. In memory of this space, The Charlie Tree sign has now found a new home hanging in my Raleigh studio as a reminder of the start of this wonderful creative adventure I have the privilege of sharing with the world.
Continuing Creative Growth in Raleigh, NC
Visit J Sanders Studio in downtown Raleigh, NC! Although Artspace (where my studio is) has set open hours each week, my individual studio is open during varying times. To ensure my studio is open, please contact me directly to schedule a free studio visit with me.
Or sign up for my weekly newsletter to hear about upcoming events and our monthly First Friday Studio events.
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!