Monday, July 18, 2016

My Artist Studio



The welcome sign outside my back porch (aka artist studio) and one of our many resident lizards

Welcome to the Golden Cottage and to my artist studio on my back porch. I'm joining the Where Bloggers Create 2016 blog party this week.

I'm most inspired to create when in nature, so my outdoor studio is perfect, and because I live in central Florida (aka paradise), I can enjoy it almost all year 'round.  Come on in and I'll show you around.


I'm a published author and poet, a musician and an artist.  This is my tiny desk, which looks pretty messy.  I'll share more about that in a minute.


The green wicker rocking chair is where I begin my creativity each day.  Early morning is my special time to commune with my Creator.  It's here that I worship Him, talk with Him, and listen to Him.


I turn my chair around to face my backyard, which includes a small pond surrounded by flowers, birdbaths and bird feeders.  My sweet husband is the Golden Cottage gardener, and made this for me to enjoy.  We call it Golden Pond.


 I love the birds that visit each morning.


My neighbor's cat, Bentley, usually visits in the morning, too.  I think he likes to listen to the music on the CD player.


As I read the Scriptures and my devotional books, I'm often inspired to write a poem, an article or blog post, or to paint a picture.


Here's the CD player, next to my artist desk.  I have a CD of birds singing that I play almost every morning. I think it attracts the birds to come by for a visit.


When I'm inspired to draw or paint, I take my artist supplies and place them on the stool you see under the desk, and move it beside my chair.

Here are a few other things I use to create.


The bag above is a tool bag that I bought at Harbor Freight for $7.00.  I love the pockets because I can slip in whatever I need at the moment.


This bag is smaller, but good, too.  I bought it at a thrift store for a couple of bucks.  The Brighton case holds my charcoal.  I love to draw in pen and ink, too.


A friend of mine made the brush holders for me, and I've used them for over thirty years.


I love watercolors, and so often I'm inspired to use them as I read and pray. The little crystal goblet holds the water.  It makes me feel so fancy.



I enjoy using watercolor pencils, too.


My pens, and their nifty carousel, are my newest addition to the tools I use.  I enjoy using them on the coloring sheets that are all the rage right now.  I do coloring just to relax when I have a few minutes to spend on the porch in the late afternoon.



Here are the books I read in the morning that inspire my creativity:


My much-loved and falling apart Complete Jewish Bible, my Messianic Jewish Bible which is brand new, and my daily journal.  In back are the devotionals I use:  100 Days of Blessing (2 Volumes, both wonderful) by Nancy Campbell, The Morning Hour (published in the 1800's) and Streams in the Desert (which I have used for over thirty-five years.  The red book is my goal / vision journal which has pictures of the things I'm praying for (such as my children) or have received a vision about.

I also have instruments I sometimes use in worship, but I don't keep them on the porch.  They are just inside the porch door for easy access.


I have a lap harp, a flute, a Celtic harp, a keyboard, and my newest addition -- a mountain dulcimer.  Playing music is one of my greatest joys.

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope I've inspired you to create even if you don't have a formal studio space.  I hope to have my own artist studio in its own room one day, but until then, I'm happy on the porch.


Bentley says, "Y'all come back real soon".

I'm linking up with Karen Valentine's Where Bloggers Create 2016 today, along with some other bloggers.  Pop over there to see some other creative bloggers.

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I sometimes share my posts  with  friends at: 


Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

20 comments:

  1. Hi Gail!! I think your porch studio is wonderful!!! I am so glad you decided to join the party this year! You were a wonderful addition!!!
    Have a wonderful week and happy crafting!
    xo,
    Karen

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Karen. I'm enjoying visiting all of the other studios. Thanks for hosting us.
      Blessings

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  2. Your space is so peaceful. It must be so inspiring to look out over the beautiful garden.

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    Replies
    1. It is a joy every day of my life. Thanks for stopping by, and come back soon.
      Blessings,

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  3. Hi Gail! I can't imagine a more perfect studio than your porch enjoying nature as you create! Thank you for sharing! I am going to put your blog on my list of blogs to follow1 So you will be hearing from me from time to time!

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    Replies
    1. It is such a blessing, Marlynne. I'm glad you found Gail-Friends, and hope you'll come back often.
      Blessings

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  4. You are lucky to have such a beautiful inside/outside space! That is a dream of mine... a space to read and enjoy the breezes of the day. Thank you for inspiring me to restart my devotional reading... after a chaotic emotional move, I have misses my quiet time with the Lord. God Bless!
    http://connell-crafts.blogspot.ca/2016/07/where-blogger-create-2016.html

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragement. I pray for things to settle down for you, and that you'll feel His sweet presence in your time with Him.
      Blessings

      Delete
  5. What great Views from your Creative Sanctuary, no wonder you have daily Inspiration! Nothing beats Nature to fuel Creativity! Thank you for the Grand Tour of your slice of Paradise... Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by today, Dawn. Come again soon.
      Blessings to you, too.

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  6. What a neat place to ponder, create and pray! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! :)

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  7. Hi Gail, you are right, it's paradise!
    If I had a screened in porch like yours I never ever would go inside again!
    Beautiful watercolor picture!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Have a great weekend!
    Diana

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    Replies
    1. I love it out there -- but in the summer, I can only stay out till about noon. Temps have been in the high 90's this week. Thanks for stopping by today.
      Blessings,
      GG

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  8. Lucky you to have this beautiful space to create in so close to the outdoors!! What a charming space! Thanks for sharing!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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    Replies
    1. I am abundantly blessed, for sure. Thanks for stopping by today.
      Blessings,
      GG

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  9. What a great place to be creative! I can see how you would be inspired by all of the nature surrounding you. Your artwork is beautiful.
    Cathy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cathy! So glad you stopped by today, and I hope you'll come again.
      Blessings,
      GG

      Delete
  10. Hi Gail.I am late to the party but here. What a very serene and calming place to have a studio. I am sure you find it perfect for your prayer time to start your day. I am not jewish...catholic....and find early mornings so special to ready my bible and commmune with God. We have four seasons and late spring through fall I like to be out on the patio around our pool listening to the birds during my mornings. I have my mom home with hospice and this summer have not been able to get outdoors much unless she wants to sit out by the pool for a few hours in the afternoon.
    I love nature and photography as well. Your artwork is very well done and reflects all that around you.

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  11. I'm so glad to meet you, CatieAn. I will say a prayer for your mom, and you. I went through that with my mama about a year ago. Treasure every moment, for it will pass too soon. I'll stop by and visit you soon.
    Blessings to you and your mom,
    GG

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Thank you so much for stopping by today and taking the time to leave a comment! I read each one of them and love to respond back to those who visit! Blessings to you.