It was sunny yesterday, so I photographed the studio, which is ready for the 13th Annual Autumn Open Studio. As I did it occurred to me how seamless it is to transform it from studio into a showroom. All the years displaying my art at Kentucky Crafted the Market, the packing and moving of stuff, made me sort of an expert at organization as well as appreciating how well the studio serves my needs. It’s like a ship, everything has it’s place, whether for doing or showing. Here’s how it looks when doing the work.
the work-a-day autumn studio
The main workhorse is the taboret which has a history that began 50 years ago as a kitchen table when I (gasp) lived in a school bus. It’s the one item that has followed me through several cross country moves. I can’t imagine not having it. The drop leaf panels slim it down. The enamel top and 2 shelves underneath were all I needed to store my “kitchen” items.
Years later when I had babies, it became the taboret. My dad added rollers and a plywood door with a lock so the kids couldn’t get into the oil paints. It rolls back and forth where needed when painting.
The taboret at work
The taboret door with lock that dad made
inside the taboret, paints and palettes
The taboret drawer with bare essentials
The taboret for display
Smaller porcelain palettes and other paints fit into the basket underneath. Some brushes and boxes of supplies that usually sit on the counters fit on a great antique shelf.
most everything I need to create art
My grandparents owned a paper box company. They instilled in me a love of boxes and suitcases (of any sort if well made, useful or beautiful) that I will have forevermore.
box of collage tools, bookbinding box, mica box, charcoal box, secret box
box of inks and glues, pencil boxes, paint tube boxes
Usually in the work day there are stacks of paper (artworks, watercolor paper, scrap paper) on all the flat surfaces, even the jewelry case. So they are filed away in the handy storage unit that is not currently being used for it’s intended purpose along with inventory books, packing materials and guardian angel. In Boulder I stored the phone and miscellany in the dishwasher which I never used.
jewelry bags on storage unit
storage unit door
storage unit shelves
storage unit shelves
Other kitchen units come in handy for wrapping and shipping art, and typical utensils and supplies. Some day, I will get this going as a true kitchen.
packing and shipping department
paper and bead drawers
packing and shipping department
As I look at the front room of the studio, ready for Open Studio, I feel the love for this space and sincerely look forward to art tourists who will come Saturday, and other days and other occasions time permitting.
Kathleen O’Brien Studio Showroom
Kathleen O’Brien Studio Showroom featuring “Alexander’s Library”
little customer gifts with purchase