"Spruced Up" - Tracey Capone Photography
I’ve been spending the last few days working on reorganizing my studio/office. It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for quite some time and, now that I no longer have to share space with stuff from the old job, I have the opportunity to really make the space in to something both functional and inspiring.
That said, while I wouldn’t call myself a pack rat, I am notorious for saving things here and there; bits and pieces, if you will, that I think I am going to need at some point. A broken lens that I swear I am going to have fixed; a multitude of books that I am certain I am going to re-read even though, in many cases, I wasn’t even that thrilled with the book the first time and, nevermind I have the Kindle; multiple blank notebooks because I never seem to have gotten over my love of school supplies and I’m constantly buying blank notebooks whenever I’m at Target.
You know what’s a fantastic cure for that? Watching Hoarders. Seriously, five minutes of that show and I’m in the studio, black garbage bags at the ready, sorting through what gets donated, what gets pitched and what stays. I’m not one for “knick knacks” (although the Al Capone bobblehead will forever be a part of my space), and, ultimately, the space isn’t at all messy, it’s actually rather tidy. It’s just not as organized as it could be and, in the end, I want my space to be as efficient and effective as possible while still inspiring me to create.
I thought I would make today’s Photo of the Day one that truly represents the minimalist spirit. “Spruced Up” was taken during the tour along Route 66. I don’t know what struck me the most when I took this: the fun, retro colors of the sign or the fact that this very simple, rectangular sign was surrounded by an expanse of afternoon sky. It’s not an ornate photograph; it didn’t take much of anything in the way of technique, but I think that simplicity is what I love most about it. It’s beauty is in it’s lack of complexity.
Once the Great Organization Project of 2012 is complete, I will be sure to do a post about the studio space and provide some great resources for getting organized no matter how big or small the space is. If you have a project of your own going, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor and please feel free to share some of your own organization tips and resources in comments!
Enjoy!
*tracey*
So full of retro-y goodness! Funny how when these types of signs were the new norm, the old vanguard would have cringed and called them vulgar. And now we’re desperate to preserve it all in these days of encroaching LEDs and uniform chain blandness. Thanks for capturing this little snapshot.
Enjoy the schadenfreude that comes with a good round of Hoarders…
Why thank you Brian
I would take one of these old, decaying signs over a flashy, blinky, modern one any day. It’s amazing some of the artistry that went in to these. Evidence of it can be seen in even the most decrepit of signs.
(as for Hoarders, I have to admit, despite watching much of it from behind my hands, with stomach churning, the torture is worth it. I do take a bit of satisfaction in looking around my nice, neat apartment, knowing I can actually get to my kitchen without climbing over heaps of years old garbage
)
I’m actually researching a bit into starting some kind of non-profit for preservation – realistic preservation, like not forcing a business to keep an un-salvageable neon sign just because it’s old, but to maybe be able to acquire and rehab that sign. Something like that. I just hate seeing classic Americana bulldozed for no good reason other than “progress”, ya know?
That’s great! Best of luck!
Hey, Tracey! Hope you’re well. Quick question: may I use this picture, with full accreditation, of course? I’m feeling a story starting to whisper to me around it.
Either way, thanks!
Hi Brian- Sure! Please feel free to use it and thanks for checking first!
You are so awesome, thanks!
Why thank you!