Just Working…
Okay, I’ve got nothing right now, but, I’m still working. The good news is that I’m not subbing this week and plan on starting on some colored porcelain experiments that I mentioned in my last post. I was listening to a podcast yesterday on my run (the first run in 2 weeks since I got a nasty cold – it’s amazing how fast we lose fitness), and the interviewee mentioned that she starts a new project by cleaning her studio. She recalled a prof in grad school telling her that if she was cleaning, she had no ideas and was just filling up time.
I thought about that, and I have to disagree. Cleaning, paves the way to productivity. I don’t know about you, but after a project comes to a close or even just an extended period of work, my studio is a mess like a tornado came through overnight. Starting fresh, helps pave the way for a new project or period of work. I figured out that that’s what I do, I work in spurts. Making, glazing, firing – start over.
So, I’m going to take the time today to clean my studio, including wet mopping the floor. I have ideas in my head, but haven’t sketched them out. How do you start a new project?
Fondly,
~Cynthia
Angela Rockett
February 12, 2008 at 4:41 pm //
Not only is cleaning a great way to clear the decks for a new project, the soothing, “brainless” process of cleaning is very good for getting the creative synapses firing too.
Cynthia
February 12, 2008 at 6:29 pm //
You are absolutely right, Angela!
Lisa
February 12, 2008 at 11:10 pm //
I think I heard a while back this cleaning before creativity thing tends to be a more female trait than a male one.
But then again I could be making this up. But for some reason it sounds familiar.
andrea
February 12, 2008 at 11:35 pm //
Absolutely. The notion of the artist in chaos is largely romantic I think — and only workable when you have the income of a Picasso and can hire people to keep you in order while you pour out creative greatness. Pressfield, in The War of Art, says (The professional) will not tolerate disorder. He eliminates chaos from his world in order to banish it from his mind. He wants the carpet vacuumed and the threshold swept, so the Muse may enter and not soil her gown.” Hmmm… I think I have a carpet to vacuum and threshold to sweep…
The Lone Beader
February 12, 2008 at 11:59 pm //
I have a bunch of ideas for future projects, but need to sketch them out first, too…
Lynette
February 13, 2008 at 12:40 am //
I’m with you Cyn on the cleaning. I like to straighten everything up and do some cleaning every now and then or I just feel stressed and can’t get in a creative mood.
tales of an artist & his travelers
February 13, 2008 at 4:18 am //
Hey Cynthia I like your photo.
My wife cleans the studio when she can no longer find tools, paperwork for orders or even the completed pieces for an order. Every now and then even a cat gets lost in the chaos. I consider having to constantly look for things a waste of time and money. Monumental battles have been fought over this topic.
chaetoons
February 13, 2008 at 4:54 am //
Funny. Before reading your post, i glanced at the pix of your tools and thought how wonderfully clean they were! Then, reading further, all became clear.
Not quite as spick & span here. Altho, i do keep the wheel & bats cleaned after each piece is thrown.
Generally, in starting a new project, i sit down at the wheel intending to throw a specific item, then midway through (while still at the wheel) the item turns itself into something else – have nicknamed it self-determining pottery !!!
Hugs
Chae
JafaBrit's Art
February 13, 2008 at 12:33 pm //
run out of ideas! PIFFLE! Like you cyn I have to clean the studio when I want to start new projects. Once a year I even strip down the studio to a few basics.
I had one male teacher that said each morning he goes to his studio he spends some time sweeping the floor. He said it was a ritual he enjoyed, like sweeping away old ideas and getting ready for the new.
Cynthia
February 13, 2008 at 1:15 pm //
Oops, my daughter was signed in and I posted as her…
In my household, I would have to disagree, Lisa – my husband is the neat nick, while I am the live in the moment through chaos person. When I can’t find anything, I know it’s time.
Great quote, Andrea! If only I could afford to hire help – that would be terrific. My muse would like more space too ;D
I wish I was a better sketcher, Diana – I think it’s a really good habit to acquire.
I do tolerate a lot of mess, Lynette – but I’ve been missing some items now for about 1 month and it’s driving me crazy. I could go out and replace – but it’s really the principle that I know I have it in there somewhere.
If my husband were also my studio mate/business partner, we would exchange words frequently, John. He’s very much an orderly person, and can’t stand the way I organize my space. When he can’t find something at home, I often get the blame – which quite truthfully is correct 75% of the time. Don’t let him know I said that.
Too funny, Chae – this photo is midway through cleaning and organizing, while I’m “washing dishes”.
“Piffle” – I love your phrases, Jafabrit! While I don’t strip down to the basics, I do find that I can do without a lot of fancy tools that clay magazines advertise. I find great pleasure in the fact that I’m very low tech. There’s something very cleansing about straightening up, almost zen like.
HMBT
February 13, 2008 at 2:46 pm //
I totally clean…once a month, project or no. Otherwise, I would be lost and never found again. It does help to have it clean to get the juice flowing again. But really, I could work just as happy in a big pile of everything and just clean a spot as needed. That’s why I never show pictures of my studio, OMG, you people would think me crazy(er)!
Mary Timme
February 13, 2008 at 3:00 pm //
The prof was way off and I’m sure he had a dirty studio.
“We do art of all kinds in an effort to organize the choas of life,” a writing instructor once told me. It was the most right on thing he had to say in all the course. So, getting the studio cleaned is a way of ordering our physical choas into a workable place for creativity to come out–which may be a whole blog in itself–while it mulls in our minds and grows. Then the hands bring out the order from the choas and we have art. Contemplation time is just as important as the actual doing. I find my mind focuses best when my hands and feet are busy, so I’d say you are totally on track.
Janvangogh
February 14, 2008 at 4:15 am //
I dont clean before a new project most of the time. I tolerate the mess until it just gets in the way. Cleaning and new project dont necessarily go hand in hand around here. If I want to start a new project, I just do. But admit that I really should just get in the habit of cleaning period!
dinahmow
February 14, 2008 at 5:53 am //
SO THAT’S where my muse has gone. Poor bugger has disappeared under the jumble!
I do tidy from time to time.The dangerously messy stuff, like inks, turps, etc is always cleaned up. But the stack of books, reference notes, jottings, sketches ( bills??)always seems to be with me!
I’d like to be more tidy…I’m just not!
Undaunted
February 15, 2008 at 12:14 am //
I’m with you on that one Dinahmow, I’d love to be more tidy but I’m not sure if it’s ever gonna happen!
I put up with it until I get frustrated with either not being able to move or not being able to find things. Sometimes I’m impatient to start a piece and clearing up – although necessary – feels like time wasting.