Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Ode to the art studio--a show and tell for the sake of sharing and remembering.

Once upon a time, this building was a library.
These days it is the home of the Bemidji Community Arts Center where, since 2002, I have had an art studio--my home away from home.
I have loved that place dearly.
It is where I became an artist.
It is where I started
to take myself and my art seriously.
It is the sort of place that will always hold a place in my heart
because it gave me
space
to express myself
to explore myself
to save me from myself
to discover myself
to heal
to grow
to be.

It was a place where I could be alone
where I could lose myself
in music,
in brush strokes,
in color.
My studio floors were made out of movie tickets.
It felt good with bare feet.


It is a place where I enjoyed the company of other creative, intelligent women.
A space where I felt
safe
supported
relaxed
inspired.

Now it is empty except for a few pieces of art.
One made by me,
one by the woman before me,
another by the woman before her,
and yet another by the woman before even her.

I loved this bench...but left it for D., who will replace me.
This bench holds the collective energy of several artists.
I took a picture of it because maybe, someday, I'll build another just like it.

Inspiration seeped from the floors,
the walls,
and even the doors.

These are the ghost paintings from past canvases.
They hold the story of the many things I've painted.
That bottom reddish colored line healed me more than modern medicine could ever dream of.

And now, back home, it is time to unpack my studio
in a new place where there is room
to grow.

I don't know what will emerge...
but I look forward to whatever it is
with anticipation.

I am thankful
for all I've been blessed with.

Thank you Universe.
Thank you God.
Thank you Art.
Thank you Studio.
Thank you Women.
Thank You.

Goodbye studio. I have loved you.
May you inspire many more.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

a beautiful post, jessie! i could almost see you in there painting and learning to appreciate yourself and your art amongst all that creative energy; i love the way you acknowledged your own contribution to that space -- for future artists; i can't wait to see what you create in this new space!! (an email soon; just let me get through thursday!)

Jamie said...

Mmm, a yummy, yummy post. What a beautiful experience to have, what a sacred space to have held you and your creativity. Thank you for the tour. The movie ticket floor is awesome.

May your new space be invested with joy, inspiration, love, healing, growth and more.

Kristine said...

I love this post. Thanks for the tour of your old space! I can tell by what you have shared that it really is special as well as creatively inspiring. I like that 'Smart Women' mug too!

Loralee Choate said...

This is the coolest post. It's hard to say goodbye, but you do it well.

liz elayne lamoreux said...

this is the part where i wish i lived down the street and could come over and give you a hug. and help you as you create your new space.
the way you look at the world and how you write is so beautiful. thank you for sharing this good-bye with us.

Anonymous said...

oh the blessings you have sent out in to the universe! This was a most inspiring and beautiful post!!

~bluepoppy

Anonymous said...

Jessie, I am so grateful for your words, your pictures, the presence of people like you to enrich and better our world and our lives. May your new space be as precious and dear to you and filled with all of the warmth and love as the places leading up to these surrounding moments.

paris parfait said...

Thanks for sharing the beauty, joy and inspiration of your studio space. I'm sure the one you create now will be equally meaningful in your life - and the art you create will be beautiful!

gkgirl said...

what a gorgeous
rich
post...
the past and the
energy and the memory
and the anticipation of
things to come...
beautiful
:)

Mark said...

Jessie, this post is beautiful. I've just returned from China and am catching up on my favorite blogs. What a pleasure to find an entry so gorgeous on my very first plunge back into cyberspace.