When my husband and I decided to build an art studio, I had grand plans for what it would look like. I spent countless hours scrolling through Pinterest, imagining a picture-perfect space with everything in its place. But as I began to move in, I quickly realized that my visions of a pristine studio were unrealistic. This space was going to be a working art studio, and that meant messes, paint splatters, and lots of projects in progress.
Over the last seven months, the studio has undergone many different layouts as I tried to find what worked best for me. I rearranged furniture, experimented with different storage solutions, and even built my own transportable sink with a camping pop-up sink. This sink has been a game-changer for me; it’s collapsible and has a rechargeable water pump inside a water jug, making it easy to move out of the way when I don’t need it. Cleaning my brushes and palettes has never been easier.
While the studio may not be Pinterest-perfect, it’s full of character and reflects the hard work and love that my family and I put into building it. We did everything ourselves, and every ink of this building has a story behind it. There’s something special about having a space that you’ve built with your own hands, and it’s a privilege to be able to create in a space that is so uniquely our own.
Despite the messes and chaos that comes with a working art studio, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This space has become my sanctuary, a place where I can lose myself in my art and escape the stresses of the world. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things in life are the ones that are imperfect and full of surprises.
Heidi Cogdill 