Today was a great day in many ways. Yesterday I mentioned my “new” studio clothes, so here’s the story. The other day I talked with my pal Juliana Coles, and told her that my studio was too cold to work in and my feet are always freezing, even with 2 heaters going. She said, “get some furry boots! Get an insulated vest. Go to the thrift store and see what you can find. Do what you gotta do otherwise you won’t work.” So that’s what I did yesterday. I knew she was right, and it’s also part of self-care. Why be miserable, freezing my butt off? I’ve got to work! So, I got inexpensive clothes that I wouldn’t have to worry about getting paint on.
Sure, I HAVE old clothes that I could get paint on, but I needed warmer stuff that I didn’t care about. And it couldn’t be too big, or it would get in the way of working. And it couldn’t be too tight because I needed to layer. So here’s what I got. The first picture is me with everything on (I already had the cute scarf–that was a gift some years ago from Lisa Sonora Beam, author of The Creative Entrepreneur
Underneath that is a polar fleece vest that was $4 or $5 (can’t remember .. . ). It’s a lovely green! I really wanted an insulated vest. I couldn’t find any. Well, at the thrift store I found 2 in the kids department that fit. The zipper was broken on one, and well, my chimichangas were a little too big for the other. I could have worn it, but I need complete comfort! I can’t have the slightest excuse to not work in my studio. So, no squished bosoms for me!
I did find some new insulated vests, but I didn’t want to pay that much for something that more than likely would get paint on it. And, this one is hip enough, I can wear it other places (if I don’t get too much paint on it).
Underneath that is a polar fleece top. In real life, the color isn’t that great. But, it was 50% off, making it a whopping $1.25. So I couldn’t pass it up. Underneath that was a normal long-sleeved shirt of mine. Not too much of a chance that paint would get to it with all of the other layers.
While on my quest, I decided it was time for new gloves, and I’d turn my old ones into studio gloves. I scored, because I found some polar fleece gloves at Target for $2! Then, I cut the fingers off of my worn, red ones. PERFECT! I can easily work with my hands while wearing them.
And last but not least, the boots! I couldn’t find any at the thrift stores, and decided these really were the most important part of me staying warm. The floor is really cold, even with a rug down. So I splurged and bought new ones. They were only $22, rated for -15degrees F, insulated, and fuzzy inside! They are a little big, but I think that’s probably a good thing for warmth. I walked Ruby this morning while wearing them, and my feet slid around in them a little. So I might see if the next size smaller will work better.
I tried everything out last night when I did my drawing, and it was comfortable. This morning, after walking Ruby & eating, I put on my studio clothes, and headed out to paint. My studio was still pretty cold because there hadn’t been enough time for the heaters to to heat it very much. But I worked anyway, and was really pretty comfortable! YAY! I hadn’t painted in awhile, so I felt really good about it all: I wasn’t freezing and I was getting my art on!
Later in the day, I went to my local nursery. Walking around there always makes me feel so happy, especially in the winter. I had decided to get a little plant to draw, and I also walked around and took some pictures with my iPod touch.
Then, I went home, put on my studio clothes & big boots, and drew!
I drew with a Sharpie Fine-Point Pen, and then of course used my Koi watercolor set.
Keep drawing! If you are joining me and would like to add your name to the list of participating artists, click the link in the right sidebar. You can see the rest of my posts for 30 Days of Drawing here.