Discoveries in the Clutter

©Annette Bartlett-Golden, Marbled Tree. Mixed media collage, 16 x 20 inches.  

Discoveries in the Clutter
by Annette Bartlett-Golden

For some time I’ve been missing my music and I haven’t been the same without it. One evening I was tidying up the studio. I pulled out a stack of papers stuffed in the bookshelf and to my utter amazement and delight there was my missing music~ a filmy sheet of tissue paper with the notes to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy printed on its silvery surface. Joy! I’ve used pieces from this sheet of tissue paper in nearly all of my collages. It’s the common theme that unites them as part of my Music of Life series.  Missing this essential part of my collage making supplies was distressing and highlighted the fact that it’s time to organize the studio again!
 
So I’ve been going through the bulging file drawers, so stuffed I can no longer file and culling the clutter. I’ve also started reorganizing the chaotic insides of my carefully labeled binders which have caused me much frustration. The mountain of paper I’ve gotten rid of so far is really astonishing! Yes, working artists can have a bunch of paper pile up, too.

The biggest and most gratifying project though, was rearranging the art room closet which was overflowing with supplies and a great many non art related items. To make the closet space really functional, it needed more shelves, including vertical storage for canvases, frames, finished paintings and matting supplies. (I do my own mating and framing.) After measuring everything and deciding on the shelving configuration that would best house my supplies, I turned my plan over to a professional ~my husband.

Happily, he is an expert woodworker and was willing to take on the job of building it all. While he built the shelves units in the workshop, I took everything out of the closet ~ it practically filled the studio. Then I sorted all the stuff from the closet which was a huge accomplishment in itself. Finally, the three large shelving units were assembled and installed in the closet. It was a thrilling moment. Now everything has a designated place and I can easily find and store the things I need. It’s a great feeling and what an amazing transformation!

Another wonderful benefit of the reorganization is that along the way I rediscovered a couple of unfinished collages I had begun years ago. I finished them and both Soaring and Marbled Tree are on exhibit in my solo show, Intimate Vistas at the Mebane Arts & Community Center.

On the left is the closet with the finished shelving units installed and there I am on the right with my art supplies in place.