April Open Studio Sessions

April Open Studio Art Sessions 

with Rebecca Zdybel- Artist

Interested in Painting or Drawing?  Come to my Open Studio Sessions and enjoy a pleasant chance to draw and paint, or simply do your thing.  Let my personal studio become your place to explore your creative self!

March Introductory Rate- $10/hr  March Dates for Open Studio Sessions                        

Sun 3-24 from 1-6, Mon 3-25 from 1-8PM, Sun 3-31 from 1-6

April Rates:  

·        $90/monthly (9 hours of studio time) additional hours at a rate of $10/hour.                     

·       Or if you prefer- $15/hour

Price includes instruction at your level in an area of art which is of interest to you.  I will assist you in developing project ideas, or give helpful critique to those who bring in their own work.  The open studio concept allows you to work on your own project at your own pace, using the medium of your choice.  The studio environment allows you to share the experience, avoid the mess, and have equipment and instruction readily available.  Want to sip a little tea or glass of wine while you paint…that’s allowed! 

No supplies? Don’t want to carry yours back and forth?

No Problem!- You may use mine for a small additional fee:

·         $5*- material fee for drawing,

·         $5*-watercolor,

·         $7*-for other media per class.

·         *fees are per session and some projects may have slight additional material costs

April Open Studio Sessions- 

·       Monday Apr 1^st 1-8 PM

·       Sunday Apr 7  1-6 PM,

·       Monday Apr 8 1-8 PM

·       Sunday Apr 14^th  3-6 PM

·       Monday Apr 15^th  1-8 PM

·       Sunday Apr 21^st  1-6 PM

·       Monday Apr 22^th  1-8 PM

NO Open Studio Apr 28/29

Reservation Required- Contact me for reservations. 

843-450-2307 or email rzdybel@gmail.com

Private lessons at other times by special appointment available for $30/ hour

Share Love, Spread Light, DO ART!

Announcing Open Studio Sessions

Announcing!  Open Studio Art Sessions

Interested in Painting or Drawing?  Come to my Open Studio Sessions and learn to draw and paint in my personal studio. 

Cost:  $90/month (9 hours of instruction) additional hours at a rate of $10/hour.  

Price includes instruction at your level in an area of art which is of interest to you.  I will assist you in developing project ideas, or give helpful critique to those who bring in their own work.  The open studio concept allows you to work on your own project at your own pace, using the medium of your choice.  The studio environment allows you to share the experience, avoid the mess, and have equipment and instruction readily available.  Want to sip a little wine while you paint…that’s allowed!

No supplies? Don’t want to carry yours back and forth?

No Problem!- You may use mine for a small additional fee:

·         $5*- material fee for drawing,

·         $5*-watercolor,

·         $7*-for other media per class.

·         *fees are per session and some projects may have slight additional material costs

Sundays from 1-6 PM and Mondays from 1-8 PM

Advance Reservation Required- Contact me via email to make arrangements. 

Rebecca Zdybel
Artist/ Art Instructor
Myrtle Beach, SC 

Share Love, Spread Light, DO ART!

Have Trouble Making Time for Art?

Is this You? "I would love to take art classes...maybe someday..." "I never seem to be able to find the time to paint at home..." "I keep saying I'd like to learn to paint, but I never seem to do it." "Someday, I'll find the time to paint." "I've always wanted to learn how to paint..." "I used to paint, and now I'm retired and should have the time, but I seem busier than ever..." I hear these kind of statements from people all the time.  In my job as Art Class Coordinator at Art & Soul Gallery in Myrtle Beach, I encounter lovely people who haven't ever allowed themselves, or who won't allow themselves the pleasure of pursuing their artistic goals.  As a teaching artist, even I struggle with allowing myself the time to pursue my artwork.  I have struggled with this problem, and it seems many women I know also seem to have difficulty giving themselves permission to carve out time for their art and for themselves. Is it really lack of time?  Or is it something more insidious?  As a very wise old woman once told me,   " You always have time for what is really important to you."  If art is important to you, why are you having trouble making time for it? Diagnosis-  Productivity Trumps Creativity Our modern culture may be more sophisticated, but the demand on all of us to be more productive leaves little space in which to be creative.  In my experience, creativity is born of a certain sense of spaciousness...both in my schedule and in my head.  When I can relax and not worry about time and deadlines is when I can move into Right-Brain Mode and do my best artistic work. Finding that spaciousness may not just happen, we may need to create that space...we may need to "Fight for the Right" to be Creative! "I’ll-just" Syndrome I recently read a post by online blogger Lesley Riley.  She identifies the "I'll-Just" Syndrome as a major problem for those of us trying to carve out time for our artwork. According to Ms. Riley, the signs and symptoms of this syndrome appear immediately before sitting down to make art.  I think these symptoms might occur then or anytime you might want to do something merely for the pleasure.  See if these symptoms sound like you... I’ll just throw in a load of laundry I’ll just rinse those dishes I’ll just call Mom I’ll just check my email I’ll just tidy Annie’s room I’ll just get the grocery shopping out of the way I’ll just clip my toenails I’ll just post on Facebook I’ll just put away... I’ll just relax a bit I’ll just go get... I’ll just clean up... I’ll just straighten up... I’ll just... I’ll just... I’ll just... Take heart!  If you are allowing this to get in your way, perhaps there is hope!  I had a friend who for many years scheduled herself a day off from other pursuits. Everyone knew that Thursday was her day off, and we didn't ask her to lunch, or expect her at meetings on Thursdays.  How about that for a novel idea?  Don't you deserve a day off? What if you took a day of the week, and let everyone know it was your art day or your art class day? If that's not possible, you might note this suggestion from Ms. Riley. Her cure for what ails you is the following 10-Step program. 10 steps to help overcome I’ll-just Syndrome: Recognize you have a problem. Acquire a calendar, planner or scheduling system.  Group like activities together. ie: Laundry & housework on Monday; errands Tuesday AM; social media 7-7:30; etc. etc. Schedule no-excuses studio time on a regular basis, OR take a class which will help you be accountable for spending time on your artistic pursuits.  Show up and remain at the appointed studio or class time whether you feel like it or not.  If others need something from you at that time, let them know that you have a class or an appointment.  You don't need to explain what you are appointed to do...keep that appointment with yourself!   Pass by or delay all I’ll-justs until their appointed time Maintain a notepad on your studio table to write down all distracting I’ll-just thoughts while working Repeat steps 3-7 consistently until improvement is evident. Remind yourself daily that you are in control of your artistic future. To ensure excellent physical, mental and artistic health, make this treatment a part of your wellness plan. If you'd like to schedule an art class to combat the I'll-Just Syndrome, contact me and I'll try to help you find just the right class. I teach regularly. I look forward to being your accountability partner...helping you make time for the art you've always wanted to create while showing you how to create it. I now offer classes in my home studio (which is newly renovated for that purpose).  Contact me for more information. Major Portions Extracted from: Lesley Riley, The Artist Success Expert, is the creative founder of Artist Success, Solutions for the Struggling Artist. To receive her bi-weekly articles on creating your own success as an artist, visitwww.ArtistSuccess.com.

Student Art Show- January 2013

Student Artist Penny Styers shown here with Rebecca .  Her dramatic "Stream of Life" painting  (Right) was the result of Rebecca's Abstracted Design lesson (taught in  the Wednesday Re!ease Your Inner Artist Class).  This was Penny's  first art show , and her painting received deservedly high praise at the show.

Student Art Show January 2013

There's so much to be gained by showing your work

Roseann Bellinger's  Poppies and  gorgeous abstract painting .
from Rebecca's Release Your Inner Artist Class. 

Lee Quillen and his fabulous Zen Circles. This technique was taught in Rebecca's Wednesday night Exp!ore Watercolor and Acrylic Class.  Done on 12-12-12, Lee brought his own interpretation to the lesson and his painting turned out beautifully!

The Student Art Show at Art and Soul- An Artisan  Gallery and Art Center was a great success.  Not only did participants get to share their work and see it hanging on the wall of a gallery, but they were allowed the opportunity to "come out" as artists and claim that self-description.  

So many of us "do art", but we do it quietly.  I can relate.  I was very shy about my work for many years.  I think I was afraid that I might be the only one who would see its merits or enjoy looking at it.  I didn't want people to think I was getting big headed or proud, so I kept to myself and only my closest friends and family even knew what I was doing.  I would never have wanted to call myself  an "artist" I was merely someone trying my hand at something artistic.  However I've come to believe that I was very misguided,.  I now believe that an artist is merely someone who makes art.  If you are creatng art then you are an artist.  If you are just thinking about making art, then you are either a dormant artist or a potential artist. The only difference is whether or not you are producing something.

Sharon Gartner and her "Symphony in Purple"
another of the Designed Abstacts from Rebecca's Re!ease Your Inner Artist Class.  

Once you create something, I want to suggest to you that it's important for you to share it.  Find a group, find a class, find a few friends, find a gallery or a business that might need art on the walls.   I have links to art organizations in the area in my previous blog if you are interested in options for getting involved. I predict that in sharing your work, you will gain a new perspective on it, and that the exchange will stimulate you to do more!

This was definitely the case for our students at the show on 1-12-13.  Everyone  got the chance to hear from others who enjoyed their paintings and drawings.   They had the opportunity to give that same kind of feedback to others who were participants in the show.  The whole experience was one of friendship and mutual encouragement.  Any  artist or student artist knows the challenges involved in bringing a piece to completion.  Sometimes we struggle more than others, but every finished work represents a journey by the artist.  

There is no better audience for your work than fellow artists. They know how meaningful praise can be.  

I'm so proud of the work coming out of my classes and all the classes here at the Art Center.  Take a look at their lovely paintings and you'll see why...Leave a comment if you enjoy their work, and I'll pass it along to them.

Roseann Bellinger's  beautiful sunsets captured in watercolor on paper and on Yupo, both pieces worked on during different lessons in Rebecca's Re!ease Your Inner Artist Class on Wednesdays.

Judith Ellis pictured here with her stunning abstract (above) This painting was developed in Rebecca's Re!ease Your Inner Artist Class on Designed Abstract.

Roseann Bellinger and Rebecca- Roseann can definitely claim the title of "Artist" .  Her impressive group of work was a standout in the show.

Keith Meiere- artist, all around good guy, and long time student of Rebecca's

Keith Meiere and his groovy and detailed Dragonfly

Sue Roland's amazing Designed Abstract
from Rebecca's Re!ease Your Inner Artist Class-
Wed. 12-2:30 PM

New Class- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain 

Now one of my favorite art books, by Betty Edwards, will be the basis of a new class I plan to teach on drawing. The best artists I know use regular drawing practice as a way to stay sharp, and to keep the connection between their hand and their eyes as coordinated as possible. Whether you are a beginner or a more established artist, I think this class may help you to set aside the time to improve the connection between your eyes and your hand.

Practice Makes Perfect

Pianists, string players, musicians of all stripes take lessons and practice regularly. Somehow as artists, we seem to forget the need to simply practice or warm up. We begin to think that we should somehow be able to come to our serious work and just DO IT. I am a firm believer that art class can be like having a personal trainer in the gym. It's a way to make yourself accountable for taking the time to do something you want to do anyway.  Your classmates will become someone with whom you share the experience.  It's all good!!

I'd love to have you join me and look forward to a few weeks of sharpening our drawing skills.  I hope you will come out for what is bound to be a great class.

Thursdays 12:30-2:30 PM 

Beginning in January 17 2013 through Feb 28 (no class Feb 14)

Minimum 4 required to begin.

6 weeks Cost $ 100    Call 843-839-2727 to register by phone or email me

Myrtle Beach, SC
Rebecca Zdybel

Studying Art Energizes Your Creativity

Studying Art

Energizes Your Creativity

I took a few weeks recently and went to workshops with various talented and generous instructors.  It was a dream to be in the company of so many people whose hearts and minds are preoccupied with making art.  

I made an effort to venture into realms I was not necessarily familiar with or comfortable with.  

Some artists take issue with me when I do this.  I have tried to share my excitement about new discoveries at times with some of my older and more celebrated art friends, and have been astonished at their complacency and disinterest in learning something new.  I literally had someone say to me," I don't need to know about that." ..."What in the world?!   How is it possible to be so comfortable?

When does one ever know it all?  

When does learning stop? 

I obviously subscribe to a different drummer.  New information and techniques excite me and stimulate me to work with them and experiment.  Perhaps working one way, and beating the same drum over and over is enough for some people, but I'm just not made that way.  That's why I think taking classes is so vital in my life.  I not only teach, but I study.  The way I look at it, when I quit learning, I will start dying.  The life of my mind is important to me, and that is not anything I wish to extinguish any time soon.  

The paintings on display here are some recent work born of my time spent in workshops this fall.  How exciting to be doing something new!  If you haven't taken a class recently, perhaps you might experience a similar sense of invigoration in your creative process by taking the time to absorb something new.  I'd love to see you in class and would welcome your contacting me for more information.  

Fall Color Inspirations

Driving down the road on my way back from inspirational workshops at Art of the Carolinas in Raleigh, I am struck by the beauty of fall and the colors which pervade nature at this time of year.

I am reminded that simply recording what is can be the best and biggest challenge of being an artist. However, being a painter can allow you some license to "improve on what really is". This process has also been referred to as "imagineering". I love the freedom I have as a painter to move things around and play with composition. Taking liberties to manipulate where things lie and how they interact in order to move your eye to where I'd like it to rest. This is the challenge and the gift to those of us trying to be artists...to go beyond what is to what could be.

I use Picasa photo editing quite a bit in my playing around with images. For example, look at the before and after images here. Before editing above. After editing below. As you can see, cropping and enhancing can make a very gray and boring photo into something spectacular. If you haven't ever looked into Picasa's photo editing potential, I encourage you to take advantage of this free and intuitive program. It's a google product and interfaces with with all Windows based and Android operating systems. I haven't had any real problems with Apple interface, but can't speak to it's user friendliness. I'll include a link at the end of this blog.

If you feel inspired to record the beauty of the season using a brush and paint, think about joining me in one of my classes this week. I will be demonstrating a lesson on painting fall foliage in my evening class on Wed. 11-14-12 at 5:30PM and again on Thursday in my new Open Studio class at 12:30 PM.  This new class begins 11-15-12.

Come celebrate the beauty of the season with me!

Here is the link I promised to download Google's Picasa Photo Editing software- I hope it helps you have fun and take your dull photos and make them into something inspirational!

Picasa download Link

 

Please contact me if you desire to use any of my photos for your own artistic purposes.   =)

Rebecca Zdybel
original watercolor
5.5 X 15

Rebecca Zdybel original watercolor 11X15

Rebecca Zdybel original watercolor
5.5 X 15

Rebecca Zdybel original watercolor
11 X 15

I'd love to hear from you so please leave a comment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist/ Art Instructor

Myrtle Beach, SC

A Tip from a great teacher- Easiest, Lightest and Cheapest Light Box Ever

This week has found me studying with a few of my favorite instructors at Art of the Carolina's in Raleigh.  I've learned so many fun new ideas, and studied Batik painting on Rice Paper with Kathie George today.  She is an impressively organized and talented teacher/artist.  I really loved her class!

In looking around her website, I ran across this article she wrote, and is it ever a great idea for a cheap and easy light box!  So great that I just had to share it.  Enjoy!



Kathie George /Watermedia Workshops: Easiest, Lightest and Cheapest Light Box Ever: 12 X 18 Batik on Rice Paper Painted from a photo taken in Collioure, France. Collioure is a lovely little harbor town in France...

Beginning and Designing an Abstract

Painting Abstractly

In our Wednesday class, we have begun a designed approach to abstraction.  Based on sound principals of design, and on a method taught by renowned artist John Salminen, we are beginning a journey into abstract painting.

How do you paint when there's nothing to paint?  

If there is no "subject", how on earth do you decide what to do?  

If you enjoy non-objective art or if you are simply looking to broaden your artistic experience, studying abstract art can be mind opening.  I would also predict it would make you a better designer of your objective work if you took the time to paint non-objectively.  Good design is the foundation of good paintings, whether or not we have a realistic subject to paint.

Tuesday Oct 16, 2012 We will begin an abstract painting that will take us a few weeks to complete.  If you'd to learn more about designing abstractly, come to class 12:30-3PM.  There is still room and I predict you'd enjoy it!  Contact me and I'll save you a seat, or just come to class on Wed. 5001 N Kings Hwy, Art and Soul Art Center and Cafe' in Myrtle Beach, SC

Exp!ore Watercolor and Acrylic Class- New!

Exp!ore Watercolor and Acrylic Painting Class with Rebecca Zdybel

Wed. Evenings Beginning Oct 3, 2012 5:30-7:30 PM

I am happy to announce that I will be forming an evening class beginning in October 2012.  In order to begin, I will need at least 4 students to make an advance reservation with the gallery.  This can be done over the phone 843-839-2727 or in person at Art and Soul Gallery, 5001 N Kings' Hwy in Rainbow Harbor next to the Melting Pot.  

Cost:  An individual class is $18.  A package of 6 classes brings the price down to $15 and essentially makes you a reservation for 6 consecutive sessions of class.  You may reschedule one class per package.  I recommend buying a package, since it guarantees you a seat and helps me to plan lessons.  I will be limiting class size so that everyone's experience is optimal.  Since you get a free class by purchasing the package, AND you may reschedule one missed class, you don't really lose money until you miss 3 classes out of 6.  Even then your price per class only ends up being $22.50.  In my estimation, the package really is the best deal.  

Supplies may be purchased through the gallery for $12 per class, or $7 if we are continuing a project from class to class.  This can be a very convenient way to avoid having to carry materials back and forth and a way to avoid a large up-front investment in something you may be uncertain about.  My supply list will be available if you wish to purchase your own materials in advance, but materials may sometimes need to be purchased from me at a nominal fee for specific class projects. On that occasion, I buy in bulk and simply ask you to cover my cost.  

Below you will find my new class description.  I encourage you to view actual student comments regarding their experience in my classes.  These comments are some of my most treasured possessions.  I really do love sharing what I know with the amazing people who have chosen to study with me.  =)  You may follow this link in order to read their comments:

 http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/p/comments-about-rebecca-from-actual.html 

It is my sincere hope that you and I may come to know one another better and share the journey of exp!oring art together.  

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Rebecca

Exp!ore Watercolor & Acrylic With Rebecca Zdybel

All levels welcome: Teens to Seniors

Class Description

Have you always wanted to try your hand at art, but didn’t know where to begin?  Are you an artist that has fallen into a creative rut?  Have you wondered which kind of painting style you should try? Are you curious about different water and acrylic mediums, but hesitant to explore them by yourself?   Have you wanted to experiment without the commitment of a huge investment in materials?  Are you interested in being acquainted with new surfaces or new techniques? Would you like to explore topics of interest to most artists?  This class might be the one for you!

Join me in exp!oring various water-based mediums and approaches to fun art projects that may stimulate your inner artist and re!ease  your hidden creative self.  I will make it easy, and together we will make it fun!  We will be talking about art, learning about different techniques and approaches to making art, sharing the journey with like-minded souls, and learning from one another in a risk free and encouraging environment. This is my goal for our class.  There will be no failures- just fun!

I believe strongly that we are all endowed with inherently creative spirits.  Some of us have had our creativity nurtured throughout our lives.   Others of us have been discouraged in that realm or had our creative spirits neglected due to the constraints of life.  I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late or too early to begin to explore the JOY of art. I’m a perfect example of coming to art late in life and becoming a late-bloomer.   It’s added so much to my life that I can’t wait to see the difference it can make for you as well!

Students can bring their own materials or purchase materials through the gallery for various art exercises and “projects of the day”.   I am always open to work on your own art projects while the class is in session, no matter what the subject of class might be.    Approximately once a month we will have “open studio” sessions. This will be a time when you can bring in unfinished pieces or work on something of your own choosing.  I will always be available for consultation and encouragement both in and out of class. 

My hope is to create a community and an environment where we can gather weekly to immerse ourselves in art.  I hope to expose newcomers to a variety of approaches and art concepts, and broaden the horizons of those who may be familiar with some aspects of art but curious about others.  Ideally, I’d like to let our class members have a role in determining what our lesson plans might cover. ..we will be in this together!  Though I will be the instructor, I fully expect your fellow students to also be a source of inspiration and learning for you, and for me. 

See the following page for some ideas for class topics.  I look forward to meeting you and having fun exploring the wonderful realm of art together!

Ideas for Class Sessions:

Painting on a collaged surface

Exploring composition through collage, abstract, and representational subject matter

Image transfer- different ways to take an image and transfer it to paper or canvas

Painting with Ink and Watercolor

Line and shape as compositional elements- what makes for a good shape or an interesting line?  Ideas for how to draw/paint them.

Sumi Brushes and other oriental brushes- what fun!

Using a mouth atomizer and other unique methods for paint/ink application

Exploring Yupo Paper- a relatively new surface which allows for interesting effects due to its non-porous surface

Painting on surface prepared with gloss medium

Thinking positively, but painting negatively:  This skill can separate the amateur artist from the professional

So you’ve completed a painting? What now? A checklist  and some suggestions for once you finish a piece.

Painting on an acrylic textured Ground

Saying more by doing less- see how wonderful paintings can be done in 50 strokes or less!

Rescue a Dog: Saving a lost painting with Collage

Making your own Collage papers- staining your paper in creative and unique ways

Painting on a colored ground

Making beads and using Fimo polymer clay for sculpting jewelry and various creations

Making acrylic skins for use in collage

Gesture Drawing: do your figures look “pasted on” or stiff?  Timed exercises in drawing.

Painting a figure in your landscape- Ideas to incorporate life into your landscape

Composition- Exploring various compositional styles and their varying impact

Abstraction:  How about a guided approach to coming up with a “good” non-representational image

Watercolor- Exploring tricks to making corrections, graded washes, color mixing

Creating an appearance of texture on your painting surface using stencils and various materials

Creating Funky Hearts in Watermedia- Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.  You’re going to love this technique so much that you’ll want to tackle many different subjects using the same approach

Funky Florals in Watermedia-  Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Funky Landscapes in Watermedia- Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Funky Personalized Crosses in Watermedia-  Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Funky Chickens in Watermedia- Make a great painting out of a crazy mixed up mess.

Exploring the Use of Elegant Writer Markers and Watercolor (never tried it? very cool!)

Exploring Acrylic Ink

Exploring the use of Acrylic lines as a “resist” with watercolor

Exploring Use of Masking fluid and other “resist” materials like crayons or pastels

Using the color wheel-  what’s the deal?

Painting with limited palette- Analogous color palette, Triadic

The importance of intention- In Art and In life what we do ideally should have an intention.  Exploring our intention and setting a goal for our paintings.  Ways to do this…

Focal point:  What’s the point? Where is it?  How to get the viewer’s eye where you want it to go.

Monoprinting with Watercolor and Ink- Simple and Fun way to shift your painting toward Semi-abstraction

What’s in your paint box?  Fun exercises to learn more about your paints, their properties, and how they behave.

Art Studio Make-over!

All journeys begin with a small step, right? My studio was a chronic mess. Part of me relished the ability to leave it that way, but on the other hand...too much mess was paralyzing to my process.

When you can't find the tools you need, it's hard to be productive.

The proverbial snowball began to roll down the hill a few months ago when I purchased a set of flat files on Craig's List. I thought it would be a great way to organize and store the many types of papers I use in my watercolor painting. When I got my flat files home and loaded them with things that needed a "place", it was the best feeling! I wanted MORE!!!!

I love organization...it gives my somewhat manic psyche a sense of peace and the ability to rest...

on the other hand, the best thing about having a studio is being able to leave it a mess. I go back and forth between my love of organization and my capacity to make a mess constantly. It's the yin and yang of my artistic existential experience.

My studio is in an ideal space...set apart from the house but located at home. It's spacious and I can leave it a mess. I LOVE THAT. The only problem is that it's on my 3rd floor...so lots of steps. The idea of organizing my studio began to become more appealing as the amount of materials grew. With the flat files in place, more storage seemed like a good idea. I had my son screw in some 2X2 furring strips from Lowe's. My hope was to get my pieces that were " in progress" off the floor. This did not work very well. I didn't like poking holes in the paper to tack them to the furring strips, and I couldn't find a good way to hang them without tacks.

After stalking Pinterest, I decided to put up some pegboard. I began by measuring my space. Then I went to Lowe's and got some pegboard. I had already attached 2X2 furring strips to the walls where I wanted the pegboard to go. When I got the pegboard, I had them cut it at the store to fit the dimensions of my walls. I decided to do 2 of the 3 walls that surround my work table. Then I began to shop for things use in order to hang stuff on the walls. OMG...so much to choose from if you are near an IKEA, but I'm not...I only had Lowe's. So I had to get a little creative.
Shelves were needed, but they couldn't be too heavy. I used long hooks to support small shelves...you can see them in some of the photos in this blog. Take my word for it...it works!

I wanted to spool ribbon, so I used dowels and a hook





I had all kinds of scissors to organize, so I stuck them here.





This is what I did with my Cricut and Cuttlebug. ( Note the gift portrait from Janet Rogers! A souvenir of time spent with an inspirational artist and lovely person. A reminder to myself of the generous teaching that I've been the recipient of...Thanks again Janet!)

Then came my art materials:

Acrylic Paints: I have them sorted into colors now and my brushes in general groupings of orientals (in the basket on the wall) and cheap/little brushes. My new awesome set of Isacryl acrylic brushes are sitting in the jar on the table...Love them!

Watercolorsand palettes: Note the fact that this is an Ikea table with a TV stand sitting on top. i have my watercolor paints in bags sorted according to colors again...
Collage papers- Hung in bags according to color families are hanging on a line in bags sorted into color families.

My cutting station is also pictured below: on top of my flat files

My work table- an old dining table we have had since we first got married supporting an old corian island countertop which we removed from our kitchen and just set on top of the table. I have covered the top with freezer paper and plastic. I have a step ladder near my right hand so I can set a palette on top of it or sometimes my water bucket will sit there.

This shelf holds some other things: stamps and Acrylic Mediums,Glues, fixatives, spray paints, gouache, oil and watercolor pastels, charcoal, etc.

This is a very important "note to self" about what to do prior to framing any piece of work...you'd be amazed (and I'd be embarrassed to admit) how many times I've gone to the frame shop and forgotten one or more of these steps.

The finished space- Overhead lighting from 4 canned lights and 2 Solatubes, since I have no windows. I also have 2 table lights for cloudy days or night-time work.

I am all about sharing what I've learned. It's one of the things I love about teaching...the opportunity to share the things others have shared with me. Nothing I know is original...it's all wisdom someone else has taken the time to share. If y

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Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/ou're at all inspired or have some other great ideas to share with me, leave me a comment or pin this to your website or pinterest board! Happy organizing everyone!