studio question #3

Back again with the Blogwatchers studio questions group.  They are now on #3, so I'll work on answering that one, even though it is only my second (I missed the first one!).  Here is this week's question:

Please describe a typical day, being as specific as possible. For example: what time do you get up? when do you come to the studio? Do you have specific clothing you change into? Do you listen to music, radio, TV when you work? If so what, and does

it affect your work?

Typical day?  What's that?  I try to get studio time whenever I can.  Unfortunately there are times when the gap between studio work is long, mostly because of other things, like teaching, committee, travel, etc. that get in the way.  But like most artists, if I have a show or a deadline for work I make time.

Lately however, I have been getting a good amount of work done.  I started over the Christmas break and made a commitment to maintain it once school was back in session as best as possible (usually the start of school stops, or slows any studio momentum!).  So far so good (but of course, that is what the man who jumped out of the 50 story building was heard saying as he passed every floor!).  We are over a month into the new term and I am still making time, almost daily, for studio work.  I find if I can keep work moving along, (which in clay means having it ready to tend to at the various making stages), I have reason to return to the studio.  Sometimes I think I am only going there for a quick visit to check on things drying, and then three hours later I am closing shop for the day.  Feels good when I do this as it means I am generating more work.  More work spawns more work, which also means more ideas bubbling up.  So while I do have a rhythm going now, in the long run, I would never claim things to look like a typical studio day.  Again, not sure what that is, but what I just described is working for me now.

I tend to work more in the evenings, after classes and I am home, more often after dinner.  That's also when it is tempting to become lethargic, so getting off my ass and into the studio gives me more energy, once I am there working.  Funny how that happens, huh?  On weekends, I try to get into the studio during the daytime, sometimes for a couple of hours, other times longer.  Again, whatever I can muster.

Clothing, yeah, right!  I tend to work in whatever I have on, which works because I really never have anything on too fancy.  I teach in the clothes I work in, so they are all the same.  And when I am working in the studio, I often have clay on me at school too.  Since I am in the studio teaching, doesn't make sense to have two different outfits now does it?  But if I need to go out, or to a meeting, I may try to be more aware of what I am wearing, but really, even at school, most folks know what we do so having clay on me is accepted as part of my job.  I can get a bit messy (on my clothes) when I am throwing, so if I am ever aware of how I look, it is generally after that.  Otherwise, not a problem.

As to what I listen to while working, well, I do sometimes listen to public radio, but more often, I listen to music I have on my iPhone.  The talking heads on public radio can get a bit tiresome, so I get my fill of that pretty fast.   I have listened to books on tape from time to time, but generally I lose focus on the story as I am engaged in my work, so it does not work all that well.  Music is the best.  None of it really affects my work, and if I had nothing on, it probably would not matter all that much.  But again, I do like the music I have.

Below are some images from the studio, like tools, equipment, etc.  Not really sure why I am posting these here, but I like the way they look, and they do play an important part in my studio activity.