Creating art on a construction site began with an enthusiastic, “Yes, please!” when builder decided he could start on the long-anticipated repairs and remodel of our older home four months earlier than he’d originally planned. Good available builders are currently as rare as hen’s teeth in New Zealand.
Demolition discoveries
Demolition of Bill’s office floor revealed the extent of borer damage to the rimu flooring throughout the older part of our home.
Lounge furniture was shoved into a corner of the dining room away from the woodburner (it was late fall down-under). Display shelves and sideboards were shifted into nearby rooms rendering them unusable.
All the stuff from Bill’s office, including several desktop computers from the old business, cluttered the remainder of the former dining area.
Plans change
After full inspection of the floor, it was decided the kitchen and the lounge would be the last floors replaced rather than the first. Sure enough we’d spent several late nights clearing the lounge floor.
Then, an emergency project erupted for our builder, which meant we lived in a partially demolished home with no progress for over two weeks.
Making lemonade
It was time to make the best of it!
The huge space cleared in front of the warm fire proved to be perfect for sorting and tossing unwanted business leftovers. Testing old computers revealed useful files and recyclable parts. Treasures were discovered in back up drives, hard drives, and in stacks of CDs. Sellable items were destined for Orphan’s Aid.
How To CREATE ART on A CONSTRUCTION SITE: WHAT I'VE LEARNED SO FAR
1.Plan
Planning skills honed since the earliest years of my art practice proved useful for managing the restoration of our home. Timelines, alongside easily readable simple project flow charts for our builder, were posted.
It also gave me the courage to get back into the studio during the continued upheaval and chaos of home restoration.
2. Prepare
By anticipating the floor and home restoration project months ago, I had moved my art room from the now dining room area to it’s beautiful new digs last summer.
It became my creative sanctuary.
The two week builder’s delay meant I could take advantage of the break to make art. No regrets there.
3. embrace opportunities to create Art
It’s good to embrace opportunities that pop up in life, such as an earlier-than-planned remodel. Sometimes, it does mean temporarily sidelining studio efforts.
In my project planning for the remodel, I purposefully set aside time to create art. I have created art every possible moment, even if it’s only 15 minutes. It’s a sanity saver.
Your Turn
What overwhelming situations have arisen that you’ve had to work around to create art?
What things did you learn from that time that help you going forward?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
