Studio Files .30
threshold : back to school, back to studio.
studio space inspired mood board
Ah, August. A closing of summer (my favorite chapter, always) and the return to routine. This year, especially, is full of all the feels back to school brings. As my daughter returns to 8th grade, I too, am embracing a new beginning. I've taken possession of my first ever out-of-home art studio. The excitement and apprehension that we both feel as we approach our first days is real. Irish philosopher John O'Donohue wrote beautifully about these moments of crossing from one experience to another - these thresholds where "a great complexity of emotions comes alive: confusion, fear, excitement, sadness, hope." Standing here at the edge of this new chapter, I can feel every one of those emotions swirling together as we both prepare to step into unknown territory.
We've both loved readying our bags and our closets for this transition. Her with matching folders and binders and the perfect first day outfit. Me sorting through art supplies I already own - choosing only the colors and brushes I reach for most often, limiting my palette and tools before I even start. There's something about these rituals of preparation that feels sacred, like we're gathering what we need to carry us across into whatever comes next.
As we both venture into the fresh new year ahead, I can't help but think of the possibilities that lie in front of us. For her, she's still settling into her new school, new city, some friendships are formed - while others are still developing. For me, I’m also still settling, and this expansion of sorts feels like the next unfolding. O'Donohue reminds us to ask: "At which threshold am I now standing? What am I leaving? Where am I about to enter?" Standing here, I know I'm leaving behind the safety of working in familiar spaces, crossing into a territory where I can no longer hide behind the excuse of not having enough room, not wanting to mess up the floors, needing to do one more load of laundry, clean the kitchen, endlessly avoiding the deep work of creating.
Always, it seems as an artist, these two feelings of excitement and fear sit together at every threshold. Excitement to begin a new project or work. Fear that it won't measure up to the vision in my mind. Joy at being able to create and play with color each day. Self-doubt that this isn't meaningful enough work to fulfill my purpose. They’re constant companions, these opposing forces, showing up uninvited to every blank canvas, every new beginning. Some mornings I walk into the studio bursting with ideas, joyful to tackle that painting I've been developing in my head for weeks. Other days, I stand in the doorway holding my coffee, wondering what I’m meant to be expressing with these hands.
Maybe that's exactly what crossing a threshold requires, showing up even when we don't have all the answers. O'Donohue wrote about how "below the surface of our lives huge changes are in fermentation" - like spring secretly at work within winter's grip. Perhaps this studio move has been preparing itself long before I was ready to acknowledge it, and now the time has simply come to cross. Not because I've conquered the fear, but because I'm finally willing to let both the fear and excitement coexist as I step forward.
The truth is, as both an artist and a human navigating this season of life, I'm learning that thresholds aren't meant to be comfortable. They're meant to wake us up, to call us forward into whatever we're becoming. Just like my daughter will discover new parts of herself in her unfamiliar school hallways and new relationships, I'm trusting that this studio will reveal something I didn't know I was capable of creating. O'Donohue reminds us that "no threshold need be a threat, but rather an invitation and a promise." And so here we are - my daughter and I - accepting the invitation, crossing our respective thresholds, one uncertain but hopeful step at a time.
A few things I’m loving in this back to school / back to studio time. Shop the full collection here with selected links below.
Always a sucker for a good organizer, this Appointed Co. beauty fits the bill for this season of life. Just enough space to keep me focused in the studio!
Updated a few new wardrobe basics over the summer, and they’ve quickly become my daily uniform. This classic stripe sweatshirt - a little oversized with the best drop shoulder, layers perfectly atop this brilliantly hued and fitted cobalt tee. Both paired back to my most worn (and now on sale) jeans of the summer, often with these shoes that I keep stealing from S.
Our home chef (🙋🏻♀️) is attempting to simplify mealtimes with all of our competing needs. A pescatarian daughter, and two adults chasing mid-life protein and fiber goals. Picked up this white board to keep meal planning on track and trying out a weekly rotation of Monday salads, Tuesday tacos, Wednesday pasta, Thursday stir fry. We’ll see how it goes!
Always a sucker for some new beauty adds, and back to school / studio is the perfect excuse for a refresh. This lip liner and brush for me, this skin tint for S.
Technically, neither S nor I needs a new bag - but I’m still coveting this classic as an art tote. Likewise, neither of us needs BTS supplies - but that didn’t stop us from snatching up these pigment sticks (me) and highlighters (her.)
Whatever transition is happening in your household / life at this moment, may it be a moment of reflection, calm and joy in your days. xx. Jill
Love this! ❤️