Art as Meditation III: Sacred Space
While sacred spaces are typically distinguished by the intentional practices performed in them – they are often tied to ritual, fostering contemplation, prayer, or relaxation. For creatives like ourselves, our sacred spaces are like our own universes. They are a home for our tools as well as a curated vision of the world inside of us we call upon when we go to create.
As ethereal as it sounds, there is actually a science behind having a sacred space. We often don’t notice it, but we cognitively develop a relationship between physical space and the activities we perform in them. Just like the way homes are set up, each room serves a different purpose; a kitchen for cooking, a living room for relaxing, a bedroom for sleeping. While that’s not always the case (the occasional breakfast in bed can be nice), blending purpose for our spaces can confuse our mind and disrupt our focus. This is why many artists have a studio outside their living quarters — it is a place separate from everyday reality where they can dive deep into their work.
That being said, you don’t need an entire extra room to have a studio. A studio can be anything; your desk, the corner of your bedroom by the window, the shed in your backyard, or even a section of your living room where the lighting is good. What’s important is that it is a space reserved solely for creativity you can return to on a daily basis with ease. As we talked about in our piece on repetition, consistency is key to building any practice, so having a place to show up to is a must.
How to Build your Space
Find a place in your home that you can return to on a daily basis. Choose a place that inspires you; one where you can sit or stand comfortably, where there is good lighting, and you don’t feel too overwhelmed.
Make space for your tools. Even if it's just a cup on your desk for your drawing pencils, it's important to have your tools out and visible. What’s not in sight will not get used.
Bring in sources of inspiration. If your ‘studio’ is just your desk, hang up some inspiration photos on the wall. If you have more space, bring in a vase of flowers, knick knacks, plants, etc. Incorporating little things that light you up will make your space more enjoyable to work in.
Hang up your work. If you have room, hang up your own artwork in your studio space. Not only will this allow you to see your progress but will also let you see how your unique artistic language develops over time.
Remove distraction. This is your sacred space. Make it a distraction free zone; leave your phone outside or on the other side of your room, don’t bring in the books and magazines that you will get lost in. Make your ‘studio’ your place for strictly creativity.
Remember that your studio is your world and art making is your ritual; treat it as so. By maintaining the boundaries of your sacred space and the consistency in your practice, you will feel more connected to your work. You will begin to understand yourself as an artist and how you see the world as it will be reflected back to you in your surroundings. When you start to have this awareness, inspiration and flow will come to you effortlessly.
