Garden Dreams & Temporary Studios

Before we moved on board Day Dream I thought there might be things I missed from land life. My veggie garden and studio being the most obvious. However, I didn’t really know what was in store (can any of us?) and when the commission came along for the foyer of The Star, Gold Coast, I knew I had to find a suitable studio in Sydney. There was no way we could fit a 3x12m painting on the boat 😉

I knew of a website called CreativeSpaces when we sold our home and studio, and I told myself I could use it to rent studios if I wanted to, up and down the coast. It’s a great site for locating specialty creative spaces (in this case, a studio with 4m+ ceiling height).

I searched and found just what I needed in one of Sydney’s oldest artist run galleries, Factory 49. Here they have a revolving schedule of exhibitions, often with international artists, in the front gallery space. Out the back are a small number of studio spaces, which is where I was lucky to get a space.

I’ve loved being a small part of the local art community here for a few months. After close to a decade of painting at home, I realised I hadn’t shared a studio space with other artists since I was at university. It has been refreshing and inspiring to be surrounded by other creatives. We’ve talked shop and I’ve discovered new art materials to try on board the boat, plus I’ve loved seeing what they are all making in their spaces. Each artist and their work is totally different.

The studio lease ends this week when the painting will be picked up by the courier, and then I’ll be back to painting onboard Day Dream (and perhaps on the beach too!). If I want to host a retreat or painting workshop, or paint a series of works for an exhibition, I know I can use CreativeSpaces to find another suitable place down the track.

As for the garden?

I’ve bought pots of herbs and have been keeping them in a small plastic container so they are easy to put on deck in the sunshine when we’re anchored, and move below when we’re sailing. I’ve found all I need to keep my longings happy are four or five of my favourite herbs. Right now I have sweet basil, lemon thyme, parsley and Greek basil. I love using them to add fresh flavour to our salads and sandwiches, and in winter, I was adding them to our soups and stews.

What I’ve discovered from this experience is just how malleable life can be. If we want something, we can usually find a way to make it work. It may not always feel like the easiest option, or the most convenient, but if we want it enough, those adjustments are worth it. They might be a trade-off for something else we desire equally or even more so. In this case for me, it’s the freedom to travel to new places, live on the water, be with my Love every day and see nature’s beauty change and transform on a daily basis.

There are seasons in all our lives. Just because we are drawn to doing something now, doesn’t mean we have to keep doing it that way forever. We have the freedom to change and adjust our lifestyles to suit our needs and desires. Life isn’t set in stone.

We can choose new adventures, letting go of one way of living in order to experience another. We can sail the east coast of Australia, and later, we can have a garden again. And in the meantime, my small potted garden and rented studio have opened the world up to me in new, exciting ways.

May you follow your heart’s desires, even when they may seem at odds with a vision you held for your life. In my experience, it’s worth it.

~ Nicola

PS. If you’d like to have a small potted garden, full of herbs and tasty greens, you may like to check out my Grow Abundant Herbs & Greens in Pots ebook. You’ll find inspiration and guidance to set up your own potted garden over the holidays so you can enjoy the delicious flavour (and savings!) of growing your own organic herbs at home. It’s satisfying for your soul and your tastebuds!