Callagrace's Blog

Well, as you can see its been ages since I posted. It’s almost embarrassing but I figure I just need to bite the bullet and start again. Unlike in the past I do not necessarily have some grand plan although maybe I should. Parameters have always helped me succeed with goals.  Anyway, a couple of months back I started painting again, well its a little more involved than that, I guess it actually starts with the creation of my studio space.

Tayto’s Christmas Outfit 2018 – ©CallaGraceFogarty

A year and a half ago my husband and I decided we were going to move houses after months of planning to expand on our previous house. We just were not looking for that kind of investment or project. Luckily we found a house we loved. Nestled in the woods but close to just about everything it seemed kind perfect. The decor wasn’t exactly to our taste per say but it had loads of potential and we have been working one room at a time to put our mark on it. One of those rooms was my studio.

©CallaGraceFogarty

The studio is located off of the main living area but feels slightly separated.  I have always wanted to be near the heart of the house so I can still be slightly involved. As my husband can attest to I am famous for being completely uninterested in whatever TV show to movie he decided to put on only to 30 minutes later be completely engrossed from my studio, shouting at the top of my lungs “what just happened?” “Did he just die?” “OMG!” I’m sure he appreciates this.

©CallaGraceFogarty

The studio was at one time used as a dining room. I remember when we viewed the house someone said that the room looked haunted. It had faded lavender wallpaper with a print I cannot recall covering each wall. A golden but faded chandelier in the center, dull drapes that were fitting with the other decor and a lovely built-in cabinet in the corner. Needless to say we had the lights switched to track lighting before we even moved in. The wallpaper came down in a motivated fit one day and the closet was torn out by yours truly along with the neighboring wall. I had a plan I just needed it start.

©CallaGraceFogarty

My husband was kind enough to help me with my vision! I drew up some plans for the storage area and he, being the handyman he is, created beautiful shelving matching my sketches. We relocated the built-in to the common area. I finished removing the wallpaper (not my favorite job) and eventually painted everything. Slowly the space has come into itself and is currently about 70% of the way there but working perfectly for the time being.

©CallaGraceFogarty

Since then I have been trying to find the infamous “groove” but it has been hard to locate. I’m not sure what happened or even when exactly things started to click in my head, but I do remember Lee mentioning setting a time every week where I dedicated myself to my art and at some point I kind of did that. Instead of dreaming about creating something each day, I actual did it (kind of).

©CallaGraceFogarty

I started just hanging out in the studio after work or in the mornings on the weekends. I never really had a plan, I would just rearrange materials and supplies on the shelves, look at old work and attempt the occasional drawing or two. Eventually this process had me reviewing every piece of work I had ever created that was still in my possession. In a way I cleaned house. I threw out a number of pieces which were no longer to my standard or just not good in my opinion. I created folders of work, organizing by to develop, to sell, to photograph, etc.

©CallaGraceFogarty

After that I did a few things which I believe have been critical in keeping my head in the correct mind space. I decided to actually set up my Etsy page and post a few works. I took trips to local Art shows and museums with friends, and I invested some time on my Facebook page. At that point I decided that I should I post more often. This I suppose has been my only real parameter I have set. I try to post once a week and with that I am forced to keep myself actively working.

©CallaGraceFogarty

This process has brought me much-needed encouragement. Allowing a lot people to see what I truly love to do, as it had been suppressed for far too long. It has also allowed me to become motivated again, to try new things and start experimenting in a way I feel I lacked in prior years. I think with a new outlook and approach I have started pulling from new inspiration rather than turning to the past as I have in so many cases before. I still have the goals, to find the gems amonst the mess, the clutter, etc., but in a way I just pull my inspiration from different sources now. Sources that I am connected to which makes the process very natural.

Boo Boo Baby ©CallaGraceFogarty

Throughout this post I included some of my newest works. These have all been created within the last 3 months and represent my journey into finding myself again.

Thanks for reading, see you next time.

Calla