I will get back to my series about the Evolution of an Idea once I complete my studio purge. Do you ever get to the point where you are just sick of yourself and the piles of stuff that impede your process? It has to get to a breaking point then you cave in and start organizing, sorting, putting things where they should be, and along the way you realize you just don't want some of it anymore. Why does it take so long to get started? I guess it's because I'd rather be creating than cleaning.
But you have to do it. Your style has evolved, your tastes have changes, and some of the materials you gathered are no longer candidates for inclusion in art making. You decide you would rather enjoy the space than the stuff. Don't get me wrong, I will never be a full-on minimalist. I love my stuff. I love being able to see my stuff. I just have way too much of it. I want a clear work table. I want to move stations around so that what is important to me now is easily accessible. When I first started using this space as a studio my focus was different, my supplies were different. As I evolved and accumulated new tools I didn't stop to reevaluate where they should go. Stuff got shoved in wherever there was space, without thought to making it easy for myself. As I make time to shift the supplies, I am also allowing time to really consider what I can part with and it feels so good. You know why? Attached to some of the "stuff" is an unspoken connection to projects that either never got launched or never got finished. It was like a slowly tightening noose to constantly bump into these items and visualize what potential they once had. Gathering is fun. It's part of the creative ritual. We tend to collect more than is actually needed, and that's ok. I will never regret being a collector. Being able to part with once-precious things feels like I'm making a personal and private claim for what kind of artist I am now, and what kind of artist I want to continue to be.
The dangling carrot for me in getting this studio revamped is to be able to embark on another new project. I've had gigantic drill press sitting in a box since Christmas. There is nowhere to install it. I can't begin the work until I can use the tool. A clear table means room for my drill, and the freedom to start something I've been visualizing for over a year. Be gone old stuff…..I have new things to do.
Another intention is to try filming myself. Maybe just for tutorials. Maybe for classes. If I have a clear table I will have room for a tripod. I've been visualizing that since I got a camera way too long ago.
I'm entering week three of the purge. Ok, it hasn't been a full time project, but now I am so far into it that I am getting ruthless about what stays, and what goes. As with most things that are worth the effort, it often looks worse just before it's better. That's where I'm at. One look and you'd never believe I have already pitched bags of stuff. But I know I'm getting close. There is light flickering at the end of the tunnel. And I feel lighter, more free.
You know I like rock+roll. It's usually playing in here to keep me upbeat, motivated, moving swiftly. I love that music transports me, distracts my thoughts so I can tend to tasks – whether it's creating or cleaning. However, the past few weeks have a soundtrack of a different order. I've pulled up my Zen sounds. Remember when I shared about the Six Healing Sounds gifted to me from Pnina and Richard Gold? That is what I'm listening to – peaceful, calming, and driving my enthusiasm for less chaos. I've also pulled up the New Age channel on DirectTv. (The Zen channel is too frantic, New Age is more my speed.) The music is literally compelling me to free my attachment from 'the stuff' and toss without regard. Ahhhh. Feels good.
As I said, I will be back to continue my series. Just have to stay off the computer for a few more days so I can complete this overhaul. *waves*
p.s. Love this quote. The more you use, the more you have – is about creativity, not stuff. You don't need alot of stuff to make art.
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