Summer studio......

Every year, I leave my comfy Florida tiny little extra bedroom air-conditioned studio to venture to North Carolina for 3-4 months....When I tell people this, the common response is, "oh, that must be nice." It is very nice that we both are self employed from the home. However, most people wouldn't live how we live when we're here.

We are very sparse people....so, when we come to North Carolina....we are basically gypsy campers.....We have all the conveniences of home (with some concessions), plus tons of work space, but it's also hot and there are many more bugs here than I'm used to in Florida.....I've gotten used to being terribly hot, being dive-bombed by horse flies constantly (mean SOB's that they are), and all manner of other bugs just landing on you in 105 degree studio heat when you're sweating like a stuck pig....oh, and since we're visiting, that sweaty stuck-pig-frustrated-moment when you're basically in as few clothes as you can get away with without be naked (no matter how fat or bloated you feel at the moment) is exactly the moment when some distant relation decides to show up and say how happy they are to see you (and poke around to see what the crazy artists who live in the garage are doing....)

That being said, I love being here in the summer. My creativity kicks into full swing and I spend much more focused time creating. In just the few weeks we've been here, I already feel like I'm ticking the things off my list that have long been pushed by the wayside. (new and better shop photos? check.) (listing jewelry that has been made for months? check.) that component idea that I worked up months ago? check and made a whole bunch!)

Been playing with riveting polymer clay pieces.

Artists have long sought solitude in the form of retreats and artist residencies as a way to enhance their work and find time to work on new ideas. I'm often the target of poking and jokes from family and friends because I'm always toting along a bag of art supplies or something to work on wherever I go. Often times, I don't get any time to work on things I bring but many times I do and I find these times are when my greatest ideas come along...

Hope you are enjoying your summer so far!