I heard of a studio becoming available and said "I'll take it" without giving it a second thought. Afterward, I was nervous, thinking "can I afford it?" and "I'll miss my studio mates". But, my goal has always been to have my own space. Now, I have it.
I have learned many things about myself during the move...first I am a hoarder of art supplies. Things I will never use piled up in closets and hidden in boxes. I purged, selling off frames, giving away a couple easels, and throwing out several bags of trash. Being raised in a frugal family has taught me to hold on to things because you never know when you might need them...but it does feel refreshing to clean out once every few years.
I also learned a lot about fear. It would have been easier for me to stay where I was. It would have been cheaper to stay where I was. Fear makes you say no. Fear makes you pass up opportunities. But when your heart says yes before your brain has a chance to argue, go with it.
Will the new studio make my work better, probably not. But my self-confidence might be a little higher and I'm starting to think about painting new things, in new ways. So we will see. Life's gifts come in many forms; mine in the way of new sunlight hitting my pallet, an extra flight of stairs to climb, new footsteps passing my door and room enough to dance when a good song comes on.
