60 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com /CharlestonWomen or stifle creativity, so taking the time to create that space can make a huge difference in one’s productivity and happiness,” shared Jordahl. “I still have the very first oil painting that I attempted on the wall, to remind me of my love for the medium — and to remind me of how much I have learned and how far I have come over the years. I personally love my industrial workstation the most. I had a piece of glass custom cut for the top so that I can use it as an extra-large palette on which to mix paints.” The fresh, warm ambiance of Jordahl’s home studio inspires her to continue to pursue the creative process. “I have surrounded my space with my favorite books, candles, music and paintings that all reflect my personality,” she said. Visit RanaJordahl.com/ to learn more about Rana Jordahl’s work, and follow her on social media @ranajordahl_fineart. Michelle Owenby, Sullivan’s Island Michelle Owenby’s Sullivan’s Island residence houses a beautiful studio by the sea where she’s enjoyed expressing herself creatively since 2017. What was intended as a mother-in-law suite was transformed into an artist’s haven, a relaxed space with plenty of light and clean lines, that guests quickly recognize as a natural extension of Owenby herself. “The studio is such an inviting space to create in, and inspiration is just a glance out the doors to the beautiful Lowcountry landscape,” she said. “The space allows me to paint large watercolor pieces lying flat on the table and mixed media works on the walls. Whenever I work on cyanotypes, I can draw the drapes for a makeshift darkroom and quickly steal outside to collect and arrange plant specimens for the imagery.” For Owenby, creating art is a deeply spiritual endeavor. “As part of my regular art practice and an ongoing series, I sit quietly in my studio praying and meditating and pouring out my ‘Prayers in Color,’” she shared. “These paintings are full of specific wishes, prayers and intentions, and they help keep me centered on what brought me back to my creative pursuit.” More than anything, Owenby values the connection art fosters with the divine and other people. Her home studio makes it possible to seamlessly transition between her roles as wife and mother to working artist, allowing her to embrace creativity without sacrificing being fully present with her family. “Some of my favorite moments are when my whole family, including our dog, Yeti, joins me in the studio while I’m working.” Learn more about Michelle Owenby by visiting MichelleOwenby.com and following her on social media @ michelleowenbydesign. Photo credit: Christine Hamrick Photography Melissa Borland Melissa Borland’s creativity has never been contained to a canvas. As a child, she played piano and violin, experimented in the kitchen and sewed doll clothing that she designed with her grandmother’s fabric scraps. “What I love most about my work is the growth it’s caused inside of me,” she said. “Creating authentic art requires listening to your heart. As kids, it’s a bit more natural, but as we become adults and are bombarded with messages from every which way, sometimes that voice gets dampened. Charleston Women in the Arts Michelle Owenbey and her home studio
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