Hey Reader,<3
Hold That Thought: The Artist's Great Distraction (and Return!)
Ever heard of an artist who started a website, played with social media, and then... got completely distracted by life? Yep, that's me! I packed up, moved across the country to an ecovillage – a dream coming true and a total reimagining of how to live. That's where I got wonderfully lost in the chaos of building a new studio.
Well, hello there, lovely people! It's been a whirlwind six months. I've been deep in the trenches: wrestling boxes, wielding a hammer, and rediscovering what "quiet" truly sounds like. An adventure, indeed!
For ages, my creative spirit danced in my chaotic ground-floor living room studio in Rotterdam. The scent of drying paint (and maybe a mischievous hint of catnip!) mingled with morning coffee, masterpieces shared space with laundry, and my feline assistants loved "collaborating" with wet artwork! While the Sodafabriek was a beloved haven, I yearned for dedicated space. The dream? A life woven with nature: birdsong, a whispering forest, my own garden, and a community. The ultimate challenge: carving out a true sanctuary to create, unburdened.
Then came the grand exodus to Boekel. Oh, the sheer logistics! It took a glorious, grit-filled six months to get all my ducks in a row. This wasn't just packing; it was dismantling decades of urban existence. My apartment became a Jenga puzzle, and I dove headfirst into building studio walls, floors, and shelves for every vibrant pigment and carving tool. Honestly, there were moments I questioned if I'd signed up for "Artist Builds House & Sanity Simultaneously."
But here's the kicker: I'm more of a city person than I ever thought! After decades of urban rhythms, my compass still seeks toko's and exotic foods. The local deer give me side-eye when I check for public transport. The quiet here is beautiful, but my brain still expects traffic hum. It's a charming, bewildering revelation that makes me chuckle daily.
Yet, despite my urban nostalgia, there's undeniable magic here. The air hums differently, the light inspires, and I'm finally back in the glorious flow of creating in my dedicated studio. It feels like coming home to myself, even if "home" now involves more mud and less instant pizza.
Fear not, my beloved Rotterdam and Schiedam connections! My heart (and car) remains tied to you. My love, the Sodafabriek, and our Makerscollective are cherished. You'll definitely catch me back visiting part-time, soaking up that irreplaceable city energy.
This move has been an odyssey of discovery. Now that the dust has settled, I'm thrilled to share my new work and blossoming space. In future posts, I'll share details about upcoming shows and pop-up atelier routes. Can't wait to see your familiar faces and share more of this wild, wonderful, muddy adventure!
