My family and I moved this past summer to Denver, Colorado - a destination we have waited a decade to return to, and we feel relieved to finally be “home”. Moving during the pandemic was more tricky and stressful than normal, and moving my art business added a whole other layer of complexity. But, I am happy to say, Hokeilen Art is now coming to you from Denver, Colorado!
With every move comes chaos and distraction and a chance to reset. A new house to fill with our stuff and daily routine, a new community to learn and find our place. And for me, a new room in which to set up my studio, organize my supplies, figure out lighting and fresh air and mental space for art. It takes time and patience and optimism. And now we are here, settled, and ready to get on with life.
But this pandemic stretches on. Getting “on with life” doesn’t look at all the same as before-covid. Time to create is no longer mine alone in the house but shared with time to help my 5th grader with online school, time for added household responsibilities, time with family in the house. This leaves little time/energy to find a new artist community to get involved with, and no time/motivation to find exhibiting opportunities. All of this is harder and frustrating and depressing. But not impossible. It is just a new routine within this new reality. And all things considered, being able to paint at all sometimes feels like a luxury. I’ll take what I can get.
from top left, 1: The room that would become my studio was a bedroom at the top of the stairs. The carpet and soft blue walls would need to be changed, but the lighting, ceiling fan, space, and location was perfect!
2: We had a month in our new house before our stuff arrived, giving me time to put down a more mess-friendly rubber flooring and paint the walls a neutral white with gray trim.
3: Household goods delivery day was in late July. But unpacking and organizing my studio was a task that got pushed down in priority (it is better to eat and sleep and function, especially when everyone is at home all the time).
4: One of the first paintings I finished while in my new studio was an abstract. I find abstracts sooo challenging, but much more interesting and expressive. I still have a lot to learn, but am encouraged - figuring out how to paint abstract will help me with composition and color and value in all my art.
5-8: My studio today in all its messy, cluttered glory. I set up my art festival gallery walls (dark gray) to hang pieces-in-progress. Unfortunately, many of the pieces that were in progress 6 months ago are still in progress, but such is life during covid. I now have three easels/stations on which to work (two in the 5th image and one in the 7th), complete with several pieces-in-progress.
8: I’m not completely set up in my studio, but someday this space on the other side of my gray walls from my easels will be a small gallery to show visitors what I have been working on (without the clutter of my workspace). For now it works as storage.