“Clarissa’s Kitchenette” includes the basics: microwave, Fridge, Water, hot pot, with table and chairs!
A remodeled 2-car garage, “Clarissa’s Kitchenette” does not have running water nor plumbing, so there is limited eating and/or cooking that goes on in this space, though I still have the kitchenette basics: microwave, fridge, bottled water and a hot pot! (And to the very right of my water jug is my metal cabinet tool box covered by a South American weaving).
Three, small, metal cups rest under the water spicket ready for small hands of thirsty grandchildren in “Clarissa’s Kitchenette”
Grandmothers must always be prepared when their grandchildren come to visit, even if it is just one who lives next door! And when the others come to town, well then, they gotta share their cups now, don’t they (until of course, Grandma fetches 4 more cups to accommodate!).
Always prepared to share a quick snack in “Clarissa’s Kitchenette”
High dining table and chairs have become the style; at first I didn’t like that, however, I like the height for certain things, especially eating. To the very left is my free-standing, 6′ acrylic painting on canvas stretched across a curved column entitled, “Totemic Theories.” Hand-made ceramic bowls are being collected one-at-a-time from Durango Pottery and woven placemats and napkins from Pier 1 via gift to me from grandmothers-in-law, Charla Ellis. “Leaf” plates are from Walmart about 10 years ago. A Northwest Coast shower curtain designed by Morales hangs between the kitchenette and the bedroom.
Throughout my studio, I have weavings from various parts of the world. In photo below, on the wall is a field of geese with children walking camels past a lone house. This weaving was hand-made by young teen-agers in Egypt. The woven rugs and pillow coverings in the living room were made by the Zapotec in Mexico. In the rest of my studio, I have rugs woven in Tibet, a Nepalese prayer rug, a large, English tapestry, a large, woven box from Sweden, an Irish throw from County Clare, and throughout my studio, my trash cans are large woven “baskets”. Other baskets are from Africa, China, India, etc, and then of course, I use cedar bark baskets to hold my honorary weft yarns for Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving. Then not to mention my bedroom wicker set with carvings, and my wicker living room furniture. It wasn’t until about a month ago, I came to realize my surroundings are full of weavings! Golly, does this mean I am really watch you might call a weaver?
View into the “Studio Living Room” from “Clarissa’s Kitchenette”
“Clarissa’s Studio” is a 9-part series showing the 9 areas of Clarissa’s studio where I work full-time and live part of the year in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Over the next three months (starting this past May), I will introduce you to various parts of my humble 700 sq.ft. sanctuary divided into sections. Here are the parts of “Clarissa’s Studio Series”:
- “The Living Room” where I play music, read, crochet, knit and clear out the coffee table to do Tai Chi;
- “The Office” where I draft proposals, emails, FB, grants, letters, update my website and post blog entries;
- “The Sewing Space” where I sew button robes and clothing for the grandkids;
- “The Weaving Space” for all my Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving projects on various size looms;
- “The Grand Table Space” where I do large layouts of robe pattern designs and cut the applique for button robes;
- “The Drawing Room” where I sketch and finalize drawings for robes, paintings, collages and book illustrations;
- “The Painting/Collage-making” where I create just that, along with printing limited edition Giclee’ prints and shrinkwrapping them;
- “Clarissa’s Kitchenette” where I zap an occasional Amy’s TV dinner for lunch and I keep a modest supply of drinking water;
- “Clarissa’s Storage Units” for beautiful and practical storage of all weaving, spinning, sewing, dyeing, beadworking supplies and recent collection of books
The first blog entry on “Clarissa’s Studio” series include:
“The Livingroom” at: http://www.clarissarizal.com/blogblog/clarissas-studio-part-1-the-living-room/