I think it was almost two years ago that I started to think about building a small place for me to paint while I was at the cottage. I started out in the garage and I also built a little outdoor platform so I could work outside. I hate being indoors on nice days. But, I always had to move my things to make way for cars and other inconveniences like that. And the garage wasn’t heated in the winter. I started looking into small 10x10 bunkies. But, then I learned I was allowed to build a bigger building. That began the process of finding a site and making sure it was all legal, figuring out a design and choosing a person or company to help me build it.
I have been showing photos of the work in progress, and it is an amazing building that has finally come to be, but this story is mostly about having the courage and belief in yourself to move forward on a project that seems a little crazy and like a gift to myself. Learning that it is OK to go after your dreams even if they don’t make financial sense, has been hard for me. I’m used to putting others’ needs first and to making do. It also means believing that making art is something that I need to do and that it is worthwhile for the joy it can bring to others as well as myself. Many people think of art is thought of as a luxury. And I probably adhere to that view to some degree. But, as with a bouquet of flowers, or a new coat of paint, or a special pillow or blanket, art can bring comfort and enjoyment every day to your life. Having things that speak to you and that you love, is what creates your home, your space. I’ve used that message as part of my slogan - Art that Defines You. I believe people are drawn to the art that resonates with something inside of them. So, this new studio is my space to create good things, and hopefully share them with you. I am very lucky, and I appreciate that I’ve had this wonderful opportunity to fulfill a dream.
I have put together a video of the studio being built as many of you have shown an interest in the building itself. In September 2021, the construction began on my studio and bunkie at my cottage in Muskoka. It was envisioned by myself and my contractor Yuill McGregor of North on Sixty and Yuillbuilt. I had met him when my husband decided to buy a desk made with "live edge" wood from Yuill's mill. I also visited the laneway house he had built behind his Toronto home. That design, his attention to details, the wood finishes, and the functional extras sold me on his work. The project has had its moments being built during COVID with supply chain issues, labour shortages and during a Muskoka winter. And it has been a labour of blood, sweat and tears with many craftsmen contributing to the outcome. The video is a behind the scenes look at some of the construction and the finished product. I’m glad I was part of this challenging process. The video can be found on my website under Media Clips.