When I immigrated to Canada, I lived at my Aunt’s home in Toronto. I had my very own bedroom, that also became my art room. Although I had experience with traditional Oils, I did not feel comfortable working with oils and mineral spirits in the bedroom. The risk of having spills or stains in the bedroom led me to switch to Acrylic painting which was water base and easier for clean-up. Although I had experience with traditional Oils, I did not feel comfortable working with oils and mineral spirits in the bedroom. The risk of having spills or stains in the bedroom led me to switch to Acrylic painting which was water base and easier for clean-up. 

Moving to my own apartment, I painted on my dining room table and enjoyed the peaceful solitude of my own space.  When I got married and moved to our first home, I painted in the kitchen because it had amazing light and the spilling paint on tile floor was not risky.  The only problem was, I constantly had to clean up and put my paints away, which did not motivate me to set up again. There came to a point that months have gone by and the thought to setting up was not inspiring! Of course, I was still in the corporate world and painting time was usually on the weekend, and if we were having company over, I just could not set up my paints!

This was when I knew, I had to create my own special place to paint. A place within the home, exclusive to painting.  A place I can retreat to, where I can be creative. I needed a space to be able to leave my tools, paints, work-in-progress out, and be able to come back to when I had the opportunity to work on it.  
I am very lucky to have a handy and very sweet husband to helped me organize our basement space so I can have a section for my *studio!  He installed fluorescent lights in the basement, a comfy old carpet, and with a table, and easel, I happily moved in to my *studio!

And Hurray!!!  Now whenever I need to work on an inspiration or project, I have my own special place to come back to again and again!