There’s a kind of quiet magic that happens when you create a space that’s entirely your own. For me this magic comes from my art studio – once a humble pre-fab potting shed now tucked into a corner of my garden. What started as a place for growing plants is now my place for creativity, work, reflection and sheer joy.

Transforming the shed into a studio was surprisingly simple and affordable. Pre-fab potting sheds are widely available and at a cost that compares favourably to the more sophisticated garden rooms or renting studio space. Mine came ready made with generous windows that – because they are designed to help plants to grow – give wonderful natural light to the interior. With the addition of some insulation, panelling, a few coats of paint and the re-purposing of the potting table to a workbench it quickly took on a new life.

Stepping into this space each day is like coming home. My work is ready to pick up exactly where I left off the previous day. The only danger is that I do spend a lot of time daydreaming as I stare out of the windows into the garden. I feel so connected to the outside as well as secure in my creative space where I can safely experiment and practice without fear.

One of my favourite features is the library that I have collated during my degree. This eclectic collection includes art books, maps, old magazines, books about the natural world, Greek myths and poetry! Having these resources at my fingertips makes it easy to pause, reflect and refresh my work.

But perhaps the most important benefit is being able to be alone. Having this dedicated space where I can eliminate the outside world for a short time has been transformative. It’s my space to work freely, produce rubbish work, make mistakes and play without judgement. I never realised how much my creativity needed room to breath until I found my space.

I often get asked if it’s worth creating a studio from a shed and my answer is always yes! The cost is relatively modest, and having your own studio space is priceless – however small and boy is mine small! Whether you paint, draw or create in some other way a prefab potting shed may just be the space you need.

Working in this place, connected to but separate from my home, has strongly connected me to my work. Surrounded by tries, having a gos, successes and failures inspires me to work harder and experiment more. It’s more than simply a place to work, its a daily invite to slow-down, reflect, doodle and find myself in the process.