A New Studio And Blessing

Do you remember the first time you picked up a paint brush or pencil and felt the joy of slinging paint but at the end of the day had to clean up and put it all away because....well... stuff? Do you remember creating in a small space, like from your car or on the kitchen table and secretly dreamed of having your very.....own....studio? Do you remember selling your first pieces of artwork and realizing....oh, if only I had a studio I could ...... yep...do this and that and EVERYTHING?

What Was Once My Kitchen Table lol!

 For 14 years I have engaged my creativity and faith as a way to heal, a way to express myself, and as a way to connect with other beautiful humans. I have also used it to build a beautiful career and platform to teach artists and the creative young. Every long hour I spent during this time was laced with the hopes of one day having my own studio. There were moments I was exhausted and felt it would never come. There were moments of elation and I new it would come. And then there were most days where I simply put one foot in front of the other building the opportunity for it to come....and it has. 

This room used to be BROWN!

A few weeks ago an opportunity at the Central Presbyterian Church came available and I have acquired a new studio space in the building that used to be their educational wing.The space could not have been more perfect but that wasn't what sold me at first. The people I met and the service to community that takes place there filled my heart with hope. A building can house a studio quite easily, but a connection to people, to service, and to the betterment of others is part of what makes an incredible studio possible. This brings me great joy. 

For the past three weeks my family and I, and with the help of old friends and new ones, the studio has gone from empty spaces to rooms filled with color and light and life. It has been long, exhausting work, but every moment filled with a flood of connection to the thousands of moments that led up to this. Colors were chosen, I pinched pennies in as many ways as I could to be creative in my organization, and from the effort, a studio was born. 

The Brown Wall Is No More!

My Wall of Fame from artist and students I adore!

Abstracts and Reading

What Will Be My Main Painting Wall

A Welcoming Hangout

My Office and Dry Room

Beautiful Display Space Throughout

Although there is still much to do, I wanted to give you all a special invite for February 18th from 9 am to 5 pm which I will host an Open House at 1260 Dauphin St. . Having friends and family celebrate with me throughout the day is the very best way I can think of to start this amazing experience off in grand. Come view the works, talk with me about process and why there is so much color and oddness in my style, and share with me what you love about this beautiful way of life we live.  In the weeks and months to come, there will be art class for study and some just for fun. There will be opportunities for working artists to come together, to share thoughts and ideas of how to build community around our craft. There will also be opportunities for special events and celebrations to wrapped around creative endeavors in many ways. 

A Yummy Palette!

And Glorious Light!

As a working artist I am thrilled to be part of the Mobile community and look so forward to expanding my efforts in sharing creativity and a love for the arts. It has been an incredible 14 years of growth and practice, and I deeply look forward to many more. 

For those of you who wish to attend but are not local, I have requested that a studio blessing in the form of a prayer, a quote, a well wish, or a token be made or sent. Having the energy of others who have supported and encouraged me along the way is so very important to me because I know so well, I could not have done this alone. I will gather these and display them as well as use them in a special art project! You may email me at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com or mail it to Ardithian Arts Studio 1260 Dauphin St. Mobile, Al. 36604


(Stairs are part of the building where my studio is located. There are accommodations for the those who are physically challenged though. If you would like to come, please message me at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com so that we can be expecting you.)

Me and Julie Kogan, one of my first visitors!

In the coming weeks I will be sharing pics from Open House and well as several videos about setting up a studio, tips, and how the space finishes up. Stay tuned!

You can view some new pics of the studio here on my FB page!

New Studio

Woooohooooo! For the first time since I have been a professional artist I actually have a full blown working studio. My son moved out into his own place a few weeks back which was quite a bittersweet moment for me. I loved having him at home, but see him become independent was such a joy and I am grateful he is transitioning into this new chapter. He and I shared a room...I mean, his bedroom was half my studio, so when he moved, I was able to totally embrace the space as my own. 

BEFORE PICS! (What a mess!)

For those who have followed me you know I paint often in my outdoor studio, from my carstudio, in my kitchudio by that great window, but having my own studio space eluded me. There is only so far you can take your creativity when space is an issue, and I learned to master the art of painting in a small space. This new studio will be a unique experience for me. I set it up with great intent, meaning I sat in my chair for several days and visualized exactly what type of art and what materials I would need in reach. 

AFTER PICS - (Wooohooo!)

Love having my paints in reach!

Plenty of room for a decent size canvas. 

Organizing my plan was key, and this gave me the freedom to open up boxes and materials I have not seen in years. There is pretty much a place for everything, and although I wanted to keep the space cozy and pretty, it had to serve two purposes...a guest room and my studio. Creating a space that is too pretty to work in was not on my agenda, but displaying my supplies was something I tried to do in a practical, but visually pretty way. 

Love my old, vintage paintbrush.

Alice loves the little hands, :)

Three days of packing his items up and unpacking mine, moving furniture, throwing away gobs, and relishing over the memories of it all was a beautiful experience. There were moments that I stood in that doorway and remembered my little five year old playing with his James the Red Engine and Thomas the Tank Engines. That room holds lots of memories, and I cherish the fact that my creative space is surrounded by them all. Tonight I placed the final three boxes needing to be sorted in the closet, looked around and realized I need to start collecting and displaying my friends artworks, and took a really deep breath. This room will always grow with me, it will change as my art changes, but one thing is sure. When any of our children return for a visit, there will be a warm, welcoming space for them surrounded by lots of creative fodder. I can think of no better use for a studio! 

I still have many of his boyhood items to keep me company, :) 

You can see my to do list on the cardboard.

Provie Musso built this amazing piece, I adore it!

A few various art pieces from some of my besties! The one on the right is from my nephew Simon, who is 3. Sweet Wendy painted me the cross, and the rabbit was salvaged from the trash when Art(ology) opened. 

Of course, there must be random doll parts. 

I still have things to hang, but overall, it is looking sweet! 

Before and After Studio Project

I have a confession to make....I am a pig! Honestly, I even have the snort and pig sounds to go along with this pitiful image. Seriously, there are reasons behind this mess....some require rationalization on my part, others require a "Come to Jesus Meeting," with myself, but the main one is that my wonderful son moved back home to go to college and reclaimed his room...yes...this room...so I am faced with studio issues. I have ignored the inevitable for the most part, especially when I walked past the door and all my art supplies moan from neglect, but the time has come that I must confront this monster. 


The only way I could see that it would get done though is for me to shame myself publicly into cleaning it up. Now, I know I am not the only artist or mom who has been there right? I know there are tons of studios dotted all across the globe that have been here and done this, but my son and I just can't manage this mess. It is toxic really, to my mood, to his frame of mind, because what you don't realize is that his bed is where the picture cuts off. Yes, he lives in this room and has to look at this every day. 


So, with the help of you all, some of my Pinterest friends who will support my before and after pics, I am diving head first into this mess....may God Help Me! Stay tuned, I promise "After" photos to follow! 

Did I mention it is only a 4' by 6' space? Did I....?

(nervous tick ensues)