A retrospective reflection written in October 2026 · Finding creative space
I've learned that making space for art is about more than finding a surface to put a canvas on. It's also about giving myself permission to spend time creating.
Having more room for my materials has helped. Paint, paper, jewelry supplies and half-finished projects have a way of taking over whatever space I give them. A larger creative area means I can leave an idea out, walk away and come back to it instead of packing everything up.
But the bigger change has been mental. I'm trying not to treat art as the thing I get to do only after every other responsibility is handled. There will always be another email, task or errand.
A studio doesn't need to be perfect to be useful. It needs to be a place where I can get started. Some days that means a full painting session. Other days it means moving supplies around until I remember what I was excited to make.
My boyfriend has been especially encouraging about making more space for art, and my kids have cheered on this return to creating. Having people around me who understand why a studio matters makes a difference. It's not simply a room full of supplies; it's where I get to think with my hands.
I love having different projects going at once: an abstract painting drying in one spot, flower-inspired colors or textures in another, and jewelry or collage materials waiting nearby. Organized? Not always. Inspiring? Absolutely.
My friends have been cheering this on as well. They know that making a little physical space for art is also a way of making room for joy, rest and a different side of my life.
— Jaime