Reclaiming My Art Studio

Finding My Way Back to Creativity

Five Months Without My Art Studio

For five months, my art studio wasn’t really mine.

It slowly became a storage room—though if I’m honest, it didn’t happen slowly at all. One minute it was “just a few things,” and the next it was full. Completely taken over by my youngest son’s business. Storage racks went up, boxes piled high, supplies everywhere.

And you know what? I didn’t stop it.

Because I’ve been there. I’ve built a business from the ground up and I know how important that support is in those early days. So of course I made space. Of course I said yes.

But somewhere along the way, I gave up more than just a room.

Hidden underneath it all were my art supplies. My printing press. My creative outlet. A part of me, really.

When he finally moved everything out into a storage unit, the excitement was immediate. You know that feeling when something shifts and you just know, it’s time. That was it.

Clearing the Space (and My Mind)

Everything that had been displaced, my bike, cycling gear and art supplies, all came back downstairs from the attic. And over one weekend, something quite special happened. The chaos disappeared.

Not instantly, not magically—but piece by piece, it came back together. The studio I loved. My space. My peaceful haven. A clear, functional art studio.

And with it came something I hadn’t realised I was missing quite so much… relief. It felt like I could breathe again.

It’s funny how much physical space affects your mental space. I hadn’t just lost a room, I’d lost a sense of calm, of creativity, of somewhere to just be. Getting it back felt like coming home.

Returning to Printing

Going back to printing after five months away felt a bit like picking up a conversation where you left off. Familiar. Comforting. Quietly joyful.

Printing has always been a slow, hands-on process for me. There’s no rushing it, and that’s part of why I love it.

It begins with preparation:

• Creating the templates

• Mixing the inks

• Adjusting the tones, the thickness, the feel of it

Then comes the careful application. The layering. The patience. Placing the paper just right. And then… that moment. Lifting the paper to reveal the print.

Every single time, there’s that little pause. That anticipation. That quiet I wonder… It never gets old. It’s mindful. Focused. Completely absorbing.

And in a world that often feels rushed and noisy, that kind of stillness is something quite special.

Creative Practice and Mental Wellbeing

We hear more and more about creativity and mental wellbeing now, and I completely understand why. Because it works.

Creative hobbies help to quiet the mind. They ease stress. They give you something to focus on that isn’t about performance or outcomes.

For me, printing has never been about the end result. It’s about the process.

That old saying—life is a journey, not a destination—has never felt more true than when I’m creating.

After five months away from it, I realised just how much I rely on that process. Not in a dramatic way, but in those quieter, steadier ways that keep you balanced.

The Canada Geese Series – Finding Inspiration Again

Lately, I’ve been working on a series inspired by Canada geese.

And yes, I know—of all the incredible birds I get to work with through volunteering at a falconry centre (owls, harris hawks, ravens, falcons, kestrels)… it’s the geese that have captured my attention. There’s just something about them.

They’re often overlooked, but when you really watch them, they’re beautiful. The way they move together. The rhythm of them. The quiet strength. And that unmistakable honk.

When I’m out running along the river and hear them overhead, I always stop—or at least slow down. There’s something quite mesmerising about it. The way they land on the water. The way they lift off again. It’s those small moments that stay with you.

Working on this series has reminded me of the importance of observation. Of slowing down enough to really see. Inspiration is always there.

We just need the time and the space to notice it.

Why Creative Space is so Important

Having my art supplies packed away affected me more than I expected. It wasn’t just inconvenient—it was frustrating. Because my creative outlet had been taken away.

My space. My calm. My way of switching off from everything else.

Now that it’s back, I can see just how important that space is. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be big. But it does need to exist.

Because when something is easy to access, you’re far more likely to use it. And when it comes to creativity, that really matters.

Balance isn’t About Doing Everything

I think we often get balance wrong. We imagine it as doing everything perfectly, keeping up with work, training, family, creativity, home life… all at once.

But that’s not balance. That’s pressure. Real balance is quieter than that. It’s about knowing what matters to you and making sure it doesn’t disappear completely.

Creative hobbies are often the first thing to go because they don’t feel “productive.” But they serve a different purpose. They support your emotional wellbeing. They allow self-expression. They bring joy without expectation.

You don’t need to create every day. But you do need to make space for it.

Why You Should Stop Waiting for “More Time”

“I don’t have time.” It’s something we all say. I’ve said it myself more times than I can count. But often, what it really means is, “I haven’t prioritised it yet.”

Because the truth is, there’s always something else to do…Life doesn’t suddenly calm down. The perfect moment doesn’t appear.

If you want creativity in your life, you have to choose it. Even if it’s just ten minutes. Even if it’s not perfect. Even if the rest of your to-do list is still waiting.

What Are You Putting Off?

What have you been putting off? What creative part of your life has been quietly pushed aside?

What space in your home—or your routine—could you reclaim?

For me, it was my art studio. For you, it might be something completely different.

But if it’s been sitting there in the background for a while, waiting… that probably means it matters.

Start Today, Not Someday

Reclaiming your creative space isn’t just about tidying a room. It’s about reconnecting with yourself. The part of you that creates. That experiments. That enjoys things simply because they bring you joy.

So don’t wait for the perfect time. Clear a small space today. Pick up your pen. Your paints. Your book. Even a colouring pencil. Look at Pinterest for some inspiration.

Start small. Start messy. Just start. Because creativity isn’t something extra. It’s part of who you are.