A little caveat: When I'm working on something, and even sometimes when I'm not, my studio is a cluttered mess. And since I'm currently full-force working on Glacial Recession, please excuse the mess.
I totally can't afford to pay rent somewhere else. When we bought our first home three years ago we purposefully looked for a place that had the potential for uninhibited messiness! The windows and plain old concrete floor in our basement were the perfect solution. With used carpeting some friends were going to throw out, I was able to make it feel a little more homely without the worry that would typically proceed working over plastic sheeting.
How big is your studio?
Half of the basement. Roughly 500 sq ft.
Typically, how many hours a day do you work in the studio?
That varies. When I'm in the creative mode, I can spend about 3-4 hours an evening in there or 8-10 hours on a weekend day there. But there have sadly been times where the lights aren't even on all week.
How many days a week?
Because I work and have too many passions to focus on, my studio time ebbs and flows. I try to make it down there at least twice a week.
My print/dye room (printing table thanks to my dad)
I pretty much ALWAYS listen to something. It's not always music. When I do listen to music, I tend to replay the same music over and over again - to my husband's dismay - loudly so that I can hear it from across the room. Sometimes I'm sympathetic and put in my earbuds and use pandora on my phone. But sometimes I get carried away by the music and wind up dancing instead of doing my work. So, though I can't dance about architecture, I sure have tried to dance about textiles - usually to disastrous results (I've twisted ankles, made myself sick...).
Lately I've been checking out books on CD at the library. In the past two weeks, I finished Super Freakonomics (which was fascinating), Blink, and The Idea Hunter. I really enjoyed Ignore Everybody (the reader is really great and the ideas come to life through his verbalization). I also really like to listen to talks, either TED talks I've already heard or other inspiring talks (I keep a list of these inspirational things on this page). I tend to re-listen to things because I'll catch something new or remind myself of good practices.
Do you watch television while you work?
Well not when I'm listening to music or a CD of course...but yes, I do "watch" television while I work. I listen to tv shows or movies I have on DVD. I can't stand commercials and I don't get any stations in the basement, so I'm pretty much limited to DVDs. I will only put on things I've already seen. I used to think it was just white noise until I realized that I actually remember things I hear when I'm working.
Do you answer the telephone while you are in your studio?
Most of the time my phone is upstairs and I don't hear it, but if I have access and it rings, I'll answer.
How often do you take breaks?
I take breaks when I hit a wall or get so thirsty or hungry that I HAVE to stop.
Do you have any over-use issues with your hands or any other body parts? If so, how do you manage them or compensate?
Several years ago I had continual problems with my neck and shoulders. I had visited a massage therapist who was wonderful, but after another six months I was back to feeling numbness in my arm, so I saw a doctor. A month of physical therapy - 3x a week for 4 weeks - and re-learning how to carry my head, I have done so much better! Now, when I have trouble, I do my PT exercises and try to take a break. I also have a back massager that I'll use, and I make sure I take a good warm shower, relax, and try to take a break from sewing or working with fabric in the dyebaths.
The "wet room" (bathroom)
Motivation is key. Last night I knew I had a book to finish listening to, and since I can't just listen to the book without doing anything with my hands, I wound up in the studio and stayed longer than the end of the book.
In the summer, it's cooler in the basement so I will sometimes wander down there to enjoy the cool. In the coldest part of winter, the opposite is true. Mostly, I need to have a project that engages me. I have to WANT to be there. And I've found that coming up with a new technique to try can sometimes really get me going.
Mostly, I try to motivate myself by putting pretty things on the wall but that doesn't always help. Listening to something interesting helps me stay in the groove. It doesn't work for everyone, but I come from a home where music was always playing and that has stuck with me in my adult life.
For more behind the scenes in my studio, check out my progress on "Glacial Recession" via my time-lapse videos. I posted the most recent progress here.
Your turn... What does your space look like and how does it work for you?
I think you have a great space. I do not think I could ever have a studio outside of my house. I hate driving so I would avoid going!
ReplyDeleteVicki - I can completely understand that. I am far more likely to spend time in the studio since it's in my house!
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