Friday, September 20, 2013

Quinn McDonald´s creative space story

Do you yearn for a place to create? This week I talk to trainer, author and business and creativity coach Quinn McDonald, who shares the genesis of her own creative space at home and the work she makes there.

1) When did you start dreaming about having your own creative space? Did you have one as a child?

When I was a child, and until I left home, my bedroom was first a sunporch, then closed in but used as a shortcut to both the garage and to my older brothers' room. Being the youngest, and coming along at a time when parents were practical, and stoic (rather than delighted) about having a child late in life, I never expected a room with privacy, but I wanted one. In college, there was still no privacy, so it was not until I was an adult that I had a space for myself and my work. And ever since, it has been a requirement. Now, I have a space in the former dining room for my office, which is open to all (but no more tidy) and the studio is the guest room, but it still is my studio, in all its glorious mess!



2) The day you stepped into your space for the first time, did you already know how you wanted your studio to look like or did the design evolve from the actual space?

Each time I moved into a new space, I let the space speak up for my current work. The spaces have varied widely in size and location, and each time, it's a surprise to see what developes. My most surprising development was about five years ago, when I moved to Phoenix while my husband stayed behind in D.C. to sell the house. What was supposed to be a few weeks turned into a year. I had a tiny apartment, but I took an art class, and sure enough, a small table and colored pencils grew under the only window.



3) After the work is done, do you clean up after each piece, after each day or whenever you can´t find the table any more?

I leave work out to tempt me to come back and work again. There is always something in progress. If I finish something, I start something else. As a creativity coach, I know that it can happen that you leave the studio and never return, because of the responsibility of creativity. So I always leave more of less of a mess. OK, more, rather than less.


Thank you so very much Quinn for being my guest today!

Inspired to create but don´t know where to start? Quinn gives you five idea on what to write on the first page of your journal here.  

You might be intrigued by the concept of a creativity coach and wonder how it works. Here´s how in Quinn´s words.



Now on to you. Do you have your own creative space?

Follow on Bloglovin

13 comments:

Netty said...

Thank you for sharing, Happy PPF, Annette G

Faye said...

Paula, your colorful works of art are beautiful. I have thought about that special place a long time. When we moved here (20 years ago) there was an unfinished space not large enough to be a bedroom, that I claimed. My dh helped me make it into a special art room. And sometimes I go up there and see the tremendous chaos and mess and just close the door. Other times, I start in straightening. It really only takes about 30 minutes now that I have "homes" for all my stuff. Lots of plastic containers.

PaintingWrite said...

thank you for this interesting interview - Quinn sounds like a fascinating soul and I can see why you gel with her. I love the colourful pieces you illustrated the post with.

Kate Robertson said...

Great connecting with you and Quinn. Happy PFF

misteejay said...

What an interesting interview - thank you Paula for introducing us to Quinn.

Toni xx

Unknown said...

Very interesting interview, and love the works of art you've included.

www.dorissdaughter.com said...

Great interview and lovely work. Thank you for introducing me to Quinn

Adrienne said...

Sounds interesting. I am not an artsy person but I do want my own space for all of the technology gadgets.

Debbie said...

Thanks for the inspiration!! Quinn has some really great ideas.

Giggles said...

Wonderful interview and I love the vibrant colors in your piece...Beautiful!

Hugs Giggles

SAMARA said...

My parents were good to me...they sent me to classes at an early age and let me make messes! My mom sat along side of me with a slew of supplies. Your work is gorgeous. I love your format of q and a. It is really drawing in. I love the turquoise piece! HPPF

Lynn Stevens said...

Great interview Paula, there is nothing quite like having your own space to create. no matter how big or small it is
Hugs Lynn

iHanna said...

I agree with you, Quinn's writing is great. My whole apartment is my creative space!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails