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You are here: Home / Parenting / Family / blur

blur

March 9, 2011 by Nancy

“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play”

                                                            Arnold Toynbee
A few of you have asked for a glimpse into my work life- and I have been thinking about how to share something so wonderful with you. How can I explain the magic that happens? It is organic and changing, crazy and messy- a sort of a three ring circus that I know most people would not enjoy. Even hate.
About 9 years ago I started Art studio for children at my dining room table as a way to give my own children and a few of their friends some art time. There were 10 children that first year.
At that time I was home with my young children and married. Years later when  I separated and needed to get to work fast- the studio was poised for growth. That first year of separation my business grew exponentially as it needed to and I started teaching 100 students a week. I cannot begin to explain to you what the support from my neighbourhood and other families of me and my work meant for me at that time. It literally and figuratively floated me above the difficulty. The cheques never bounced, people appreciated what I was doing, the children gave me their love and affection. I am now teaching 130 beautiful little people a week.
A series of yesses meant I was also running summer camps, birthday parties, TDSB enrichment, family art projects and art events. Sometimes I would walk downstairs to my basement studio – which was cute, tired and  tight- and get a shiver. This tiny room supports me and my children.

Last November we completed a renovation of a new space. A brand new home studio. I have told you before that my initial reaction to building it was – I don’t deserve this. That is, of course, messed up.
Here is the new space-
happy place.jpg

it has a snuggly corner  for tired artists

snuggly corner.jpg

the artists are independent (“I cut my own hair”) 
*** this did not happen in my art room!

hair cuts.jpg


unlike adults, they make “happy” declarations of weight gain
“Nancy, I now weigh 40 lbs. No more car seat!”

40 pounds sopping wet.jpg

They frequently leave me love notes and bring me presents
and more presents

love notes.jpg

they have even named a colour after me – “nancy-pink”

nancy pink.jpg

there are nicknames-“fancy nancy” “miss nancy” and “nance romance”

my business suit is very serious

business suit.jpg

There is no security. No old age pension. No predictability. No assistant. No staff. No per diem. No marketing department. No international travel. No mentorship. No board. 
No bored.
I love it.




Filed Under: Family Tagged With: art studio for children, do what you love and love what you do

Comments

  1. Erin Little says

    March 10, 2011 at 6:30 am

    Fab. What a blessing to do what you love for work.
    I, too, wish I could bring my rugrats.

  2. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    thank you Christine- next time you are in Toronto your people can come over and play!

  3. Christine says

    March 9, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    I wish we something like this – and someone like YOU – in our little town. Most especially for Cuyler.
    Be proud lady – you deserve every blessing!

  4. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    but will I be doing this a 75 , deb?

  5. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    that is half the battle for sure and I am not sure how you figure that one out!

  6. deb says

    March 9, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Congratulations it looks amazing and the kids look so happy. Thank you for the inspiration to follow my dreams.

  7. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    http://www.artstudioforchildren.com -check out Spring 2011 and let me know what suits by contacting us

  8. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    you would not believe how many women ask that same question.
    we should do a family one anyway, hey auntie?

  9. carole hayes says

    March 9, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Hi Nance – just love your pix of your summer camp. It looks like such fun…..how old is tooooo old to sign up????
    xoxo

  10. Jules says

    March 9, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    How do I sign my boys up? I am serious…I live in Toronto!

  11. Beth says

    March 9, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    You know what “they” say….do what you love and the money will follow! Your success is a perfect example of this maxim. I think half the battle must be in figuring out what you love.

  12. Julie says

    March 9, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    you deserve all of it! never think otherwise. beautiful space!!!

  13. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:35 am

    can you imagine your little one in her tutu and me in mine. Blissful.

  14. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:31 am

    I would help facilitate a large canvas orchid from Ethan and have done similar one on one’s if you would like

  15. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:29 am

    what a thrill to get the babies of friends from other times like you Robyn!xn

  16. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:27 am

    thanks so much sara. This was a fun one to put together – it actually made me a little teary thinking how great it really is and I don’t want to forget that or take it for granted

  17. Tracey says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Nancy, how I WISH I lived closer!! I’d send my kids every day… what a LOVELY space you have there!! So wonderful (and the chandeliers are just so tinkly and special!) I understand the notion of feeling like you don’t deserve it – I felt the same when we renovated the basement for my business… you DO deserve it, and look how you’re running with it all!! This whole thing… I just love, Love, LOVE it!! Good for you, lady! Rock the hard jam EVERY day, doll. xoxoxoxox

  18. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:25 am

    I wish I could have your munchkins, amreen

  19. Robyn Goldberg says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Ethan loves it too and is insipred everytime he comes! A friend of mine who is an interior designer could not believe the orchid painting he did and asked if she could commision a large one for our living room! Nanc Ehtan will be back in the spring! 🙂

  20. Nancy says

    March 9, 2011 at 11:01 am

    and you- especially after a glimpse into your photos -xn

  21. Idas says

    March 9, 2011 at 10:54 am

    Lovely is as lovely does.
    Can’t wait to enrol Clare in September.
    *i

  22. Sara says

    March 9, 2011 at 10:38 am

    God I love this post – and I love how much you love what you do! Something to strive for! Incredible!

  23. Amreen says

    March 9, 2011 at 10:33 am

    OMG – this is so fabulous! How I wish you lived in my neighbourhood, my girls would live there! Congrats on all your success. I can only imagine how much those children adore you. You need to post a pic of yourself in that white jumpsuit – pleease!

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