Fine Art Views Daily Newsletter
ISSUE #248 - (Sponsored by FineArtStudioOnline)
Straight Talk about Art, Marketing, Inspiration and Fine Living
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Your Creative Haven -
An Organized Studio
by Lori Woodward Simons
TODAY:
"A few of my fellow artistic travelers are blessed with a natural ability to live an organized life – in other words, they have a place for things, and they put those things in their place (usually clean) at the end of their work session. Quite possibly the only thing that naturally stays organized with me is the stuff in my brain. . . ."
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Thursday, October 02, 2008
San Antonio, Texas
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Your Creative Haven - An Organized Studio
by Lori Woodward Simons
Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews
Dear {{FirstName}},
Have you ever noticed how great it feels when you enter a Bed and Breakfast or luxury hotel room on the first day of your vacation? Everything is in place, clean and ready for your use – the air smells good, and if you're by the sea or out in the desert, the windows are open, to let the fragrant breeze drift in. It's as though no one else ever stayed in that room -- having been designed only for your relaxation and comfort. Similarly, the atmosphere in my studio should be selfishly designed and prepared solely as a workplace that is conducive to my brand of creativity.
A few of my fellow artistic travelers are blessed with a natural ability to live an organized life – in other words, they have a place for things, and they put those things in their place (usually clean) at the end of their work session. Quite possibly the only thing that naturally stays organized with me is the stuff in my brain. I've been blessed with an automatic brain filing system that works pretty well, at least so far... On the other hand, my physical stuff easily falls into disorganization... it takes concerted effort to keep things in place long enough for me to find them. While this might be OK for items such as car keys, sunglasses and shoes, this kind of disorganization causes near chaos when it resides in my studio. A messy studio greatly diminishes my ability to get into the creative zone. Consequently, no matter what the rest of my surroundings look like, my studio must be an orderly Creative Haven. So what does a Creative Haven look like? For each of us, the answer may be slightly different. Here's what works for me when I am disciplined enough to make it happen.
As I stand at my easel, I should be able to respond to my canvas as a surgeon does to a patient during the course of an operation. Scalpel! Everything in its designated place and at hand! Although I don't have a nurse standing by, ready with my brush-- having prepped my palette with dollops of paint -- my tools do need to be clean, ready for use, and in the same physical location at the beginning of each work session. This advice sounds all so common sense, but when I'm finishing up at the end of a long painting session, I'm just plain tired. Cleaning my supplies and putting them away never seems attractive when my energy is spent. Yet, I know without a doubt that my next painting session is more likely to go well when I begin my workday with an organized and clean workspace. I need to -- JUST CLEAN IT UP.
Having ample supply of my materials and tools increases my work efficiency. There's nothing worse than having my mind primed for painting, only to realize that I'm out of ultramarine blue, a color that is basic to my palette. To remedy this problem, I'll need to remember to regularly take inventory and order these things ahead of time so that I never run out. Yes, I often hesitate to order because supplies are expensive, but I need to – JUST ORDER THEM.
While my supplies are being shipped, I make room for new supplies by removing those that I no longer use. The fewer items that I have to sift through in order to find the ones I actually use, the happier I'll be. Yes, I paid a lot for those paints that I rarely use, and for that canvas I dislike... but while these unused items remain in my studio only to calm my guilty conscience, they take up precious space and tax my energy. It's a guilt-easing fact to realize that someone else could be using them – someone who enjoys working with those materials. I need to -- JUST GIVE THEM AWAY.
For those of you who are naturally organized, perhaps you can assist the rest of us with a pep talk or suggest ways for making a well designed, comfortable and work-conducive studio... AKA our Creative Havens.
Editor's Note: As Lori points out above, being a successful is more than just fun and games. It requires organization and routines. In fact, Alyson Stanfield says, "Live with Routines to FREE your creative mind" in her awesome book for artists, I'd Rather be in the Studio! It's "The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion" that offers practical approaches that help you sell more art and build an art career that lasts. Alyson B. Stanfield, the art-marketing guru behind ArtBizCoach.com, shares self-promotion tools that have enhanced the careers of thousands of artists:
Get Your Copy of I'd Rather Be in the Studio!:
http://clicks.studiotopia.com/5
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This article is reproduced with permission.
Copyright 2008 - Lori Woodward Simons
To get more of Lori Woodward Simon's insights into art, marketing, inspiration and fine living, check out her blog at:
Woodward Simons Blog:
http://www.woodwardsimons.com/blog
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Recession Proof Marketing Strategies (Marsha Robinett), Revisited
Sharon Weaver Wrote:
The current financial melt-down is on everyone's mind but I think that it can be used as a positive marketing tool. Fine art is still a wonderful investment that is out performing other investments, real estate or the stock market. It is also a visual escape that helps to ease stress. I think everyone should have a beautiful painting in their office to "get away" from all the worries, something to renew and inspire. Tell your prospects they need a wonderful work of art now more than ever.
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