A New Space

Howdy!

So for my first blog post, I wanted to showcase something pretty small but really big for me. 

After a year for moving into our first home, I finally set up my desk space. 

~my lil desk~

Now hear me out, I know this isn't very artistic, but it is somewhat a piece of interior design- so I feel like it will count in the eyes of the art godfathers above. But the main significance of this trivial feat of 'making my art space usable and happy' is the final nail in the coffin of a pretty low art burnout I have had for years now.

I have been pretty open about it to friends and family, and it has been an interesting journey over many hills and deep valleys. At one point, I believed that I would never truly be able to do art as a hobby, let alone a career. But time fades away wounds and feelings - good and bad. And now on the other side, I've recently accepted a new art direction position, and was able to quit my full-time coffee shop job. Two weeks ago, I got home from breaking the news to my current boss. Rittled with nerves, I came up into our office (me and my husband share one you see) and realized- 'Yikes I need a place to work.' 

It wasn't a totally mess, but not put together- just a dump place for papers, sketchbooks, old mugs, and totes of projects I was NOT going to finish. So I hunkered down and got to work. I dusted off every surface, and boy was there a thiCK layer. I watered my plants and rearranged them so they would be happier, too. I moved old things away into storage and brought out old things that gave me joy.

a nursey pothos, a photo of kermie, a baby shoe,
goofy mug and a glass pink jar (for trinkets of course)

And most joyous of all, I finally hung up things around my desk. Some made or thrifted by me, but majority, which I am grateful for, are from some dear friends given to me over these past years. Little mementos of Christmas's, birthdays, my bachelorette trip and wedding. My desk is also arranged right on our window, so I get to look out into our adorable neighborhood and watch people walking their dogs or rainy days blowing on trees.

and lets get some Ooo's for my nephew's original art on the left :0 (NFS)

And when it was all said and done, six-or-so hours later, I stood back very content. Everything so clean. Everything in it's place. I felt ready for the horizon ahead. That is when the feeling hit me. 'This will be a new beginning. When I never thought this tiny excited feeling would come back again.' Very grateful, even now in this moment, I am remembering a poem I wrote a few years back about Cleaning something to Start Again -

Work on getting those life puzzle pieces picked up

And put back in their box

And back on the shelf

While you’re at it -- just go ahead,

Dust off that shelf

Water that plant

And vacuum this rug.

And then, and only then

Sit and be happy

So content with how far you have come.

-Audrey 2023

It feels very fortuitous, no. Today, actually is my last day at my coffee shop, which worked out mysteriously. Next week I begin this next chapter, so wish me luck.

Welp on that note, I gotta head out. I hope next time I write here, I have more art to share. No, I def have more art to share. And furthermore!! So excited for everyone's posts this month, they have already been so phenomenal.

To you and yours,

AUDJ SPOON ✨