I’ve just moved into a new studio. Over the past year and a half I have been working out of my small garage at home. This was an unexpected eventuation after closing down my store and studio at Collingwood yards early last year.
When I decided to close my studio at the Yards I honestly had no idea whether or not I would be continuing to make ceramics as a job, I was burnt out and felt pretty jaded to be quite honest. The plan was that there was NO plan and although it was a scary thing to be facing (the raw unknown) I was also kind of excited to strip things back down to the bare necessities and explore what a limiting workspace would have on my practice and the kinds of works I was going to be creating.
Firstly working from home was a whole thing.. something that I equally loved and resented. I loved being able to float between home and work with only a few steps, but someones it felt like I couldn’t escape work or the endless ‘productive procrastination’ aka folding washing and vacuuming the floor of the house while I was REALLY supposed to be doing admin tasks or wedging clay… IYKYK!!!
The garage studio was a BIG change of scenery to the large and in charge studio I had at the Yards and it took some adjusting. I had to deal with the endless threat of flooding every time it rained (I figured this one out quickly after moving in.. let’s just say that I lost A LOT of cardboard packaging materials the first time it rained after moving in. From then on everything lived OFF the floor). The garage studio had no electricity connection so I was working to the daylight hours (which admittedly wasn’t the worst thing after spending many years working to a very unbalanced schedule) it was a tiny space too but the hardest part was the floor wasn’t even.. one little bit!
All this to say that I am SO over the moon that I have recently moved into and renovated a new studio space for my practice to keep moving forward. This time around I opted to find a studio super close to home so I can still have the flexibility I grew to love whilst working from home. I am gunning for pure practicality in the way that I am organising my new space (but obvi still making it cute because I kinda cant help myself.. but definitely being a little more constrained than previously). This time around I am sharing my studio with my good friend Megan (aka Trinket Solo) this is something I am super excited about. I missed being able to converse and bounce ideas with another creative being whilst working alone at home. I think Megan and I are going to be able to help each other along with endless support for one another. Plus as a bonus I get to see my friend more often tat if we weren’t sharing a workspace.
The new studio is In Carnegie, there’s a fun shop front window that I like dressing for no real reason aside for fun. We are currently using the space as a private production studio and I’m not really sure if or when we will open the doors to the public.. I guess when we are feeling more settled in perhaps we can think more about this.. MAYBE I’ll even eventually do a cheeky workshop or two in the new digs!?
Anyway, watch this space, I am excited to see how the new studio evolves over time and I am even more excited that I now have a dry even floor and can’t wait to see all the cool things we create in this tiny little studio!
x Tantri