How To Home Studio

Many times over the last twelve years of home ownership, I have attempted to paint at home, and it’s never really worked. I’d bring a canvas and palette and several brushes home, usually put them in the dining room where there’s a large table and decent lighting, and they would sit there until I completely understood the futility of my effort. After a handful of attempts, my wife began to gently make fun of me, knowing that the cycle would repeat itself, regardless of how serious I projected my intention. Last Friday, as I was packing up to leave the studio, cleaning brushes from the day’s work, for the first time in a couple of years, the itch to bring a painting home struck. Of course, I hesitated… history painted a clear picture of how this would play out, but something felt different. It seemed more likely than ever that I could overcome the mountains of resistance that had kept me from following through before. How hard could it truly be to sit down and work on a canvas at home? It had proven impossible in the past, but I’m kind of sick of how the past works to dictate certain behaviors… So, I painted today, sitting on the floor in the living room with the canvas in my lap leaning on a table, the palette on another table. I’ll do it again tomorrow.