The Michigan Maker is just getting started..
I dream of a life where all the remodeling and building is complete, and we live our days in the beautiful life we created here at Stanley Gardens, home of my art studio, Michigan Maker Workshop.
About Us
Giving the shop an energy boost
The Michigan Maker Workshop is only a piece of the dream. We are renovating the property here at Stanley Gardens to accommodate Micro Events. Featuring a garden and sculpture walk, large bonfire pit, outdoor gathering spaces, rental house, rental workshop, and outdoor restroom facilities.
Did I mention I'm a stay-at-home mom of twins?
My artist eye always leads me to wanting the painting bigger, like 4x8 foot big or bigger! My ideal client is looking to fill large spaces. This workshop is giving me a space to work on these large projects while keeping a tidy home and being with the kids. The best is yet to come.
We will now be working on seating and wood storage around the beautiful new stone pit
We are expecting to have the workshop, restroom, and firepit completed by spring 2023. Our vision is to offer classes and seminars supporting continued education for people of all ages. Hosting all kinds of experts, giving them a place to stay and an audience to teach their craft to.
September and October Happenings
I am currently looking for a gallery for my work
Artist Statement
I am Kate Stanley, and I was born to create. My mission is to make fine works worthy of center display. I enjoy the use of patterns and circular movement. Materials vary from wood, stone, textiles, oil, and acrylic. The process between idea and creation usually involves learning a new skill which I, at times, find more value in than the actual final work. Keeping a design simple is always most difficult for me, you may call it my biggest challenge.
I find myself being over-stimulated by advertising and the over manipulation of design everywhere. When I look at my art, I want to feel peaceful and calm for a moment. As a child I dreamed of being an Interior Designer, as a student I was a Graphic Designer receiving an AFA in 2010 and then went on to complete all creative courses under a BFA at CMU. That is where my full-time art career started and ended until now. In spring, 2022 my husband and I made a workshop studio space a priority and the artist within me awoke.
I plan to be a lifelong artist and everything you see here was created before the workshop was fully functional. Being creative lead me down a path of collecting items with a someday intentions label to be completed after all the property renovations were done. 2022 was my year to complete all these upcycling projects, freeing myself from the clutter and unfinished business has really energized me to be in the moment creatively. Thinking of something great and being free to act on it in that moment is a wonderful feeling, one that I'm building a life around. I am so excited to begin this journey with my family and friends by my side, who knows where this will lead.
