Loom with a view

Creating art begins with creating space. Creating space in our schedule, in our homes, in our lives. Art can be done in any space, big or small, but as we start being more intentional about art creation here at Lotze Art & Design, a good, organized studio space is a must.

No more wasting time digging out tools, trying to find the yarn I know I have stashed somewhere, or trying to craft in very un-ergonomic spaces because there is no where to put everything. Having a clean, organized space does a lot to alleviate the stresses of long Alaskan winters, and this year I have what I have been angling for for years: a view of our beautiful forest home from my loom.

Of course, finding studio space does not come with a wave of a magic wand. Brian and I used to split the loft, one side for my sewing projects and one side for the nature scavenger’s lounge. We have had a lot of changes over the last year. Our oldest son graduated high school and moved out, freeing up a bit of space, and Brian agreed to move out of the loft to give me working space.

This was no easy task, for either of us. Change is an emotional thing. Moving out our son’s things and then moving decades of found rocks and bones and shells and photographs and carving projects was both physically and emotionally draining. It has taken almost two months to make it this far, and I still need to build workbenches and storage for sculpting and painting supplies, so the whole loft can look this neat instead of just this organized side. It is hard to put off creating right now, when there is the promise of making art a business and a lifestyle. It has taken a lot of patience for all of us to focus on creating the space instead of working on the art we are passionate about. As it slowly transforms, tho, it is more and more exciting as a long time dream becomes a visible reality.