I enjoy every part of what I do. Of course, I love teaching. I love teaching art classes, but I also enjoy teaching other classes like computer skills, tutors’ trainings, and all other stuff. Getting back into public speaking is a lot of fun too. Indeed, getting ready for shows, setting up, having a great party, meeting new people, and the aftermath, it is all wonderful. The business side of my ‘job’ is pretty interesting as well: writing, marketing, online interactions (the people you get to encounter), designing printed and online graphics, meetings, and all related to being in contact with others, get the word out, and serve. Above all that, and after a few crazy weeks of all of these (not that it is going to stop anytime soon) it is great to get back in the studio.

Getting back in the studio is like flying to the Fortress of Solitude to hang my cape. That’s my place to refresh, recharge, read, listen to music, pray, meditate, and enjoy silence. Although it is main street area near the highway with train tracks a few streets down, ambulances and police sirens as background noise… you get the picture. It is the only place where I can sing without hurting people’s hearing. In the studio I can let my mind wander and watch muses dance around to receive the next wind of inspiration, because when I’m working on ‘nothing’ I am really preparing for ‘something’.

Watch The Art of Ivan Tirado: Inspiration on Youtube.

There is time for everything. When it comes the time to ‘work’ on ‘something’, is not necessarily a defined destination. Technique exercises and experimentation is part of work. While my main medium of expression is sculpture, I enjoy drawing and painting. It is often those doodles that become sculptures and paining experiments that become a series. Looking at previous work is also a way to assess progress and define a path to take in the next piece. Sometimes I revisit pieces that are not public yet unless you follow on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I post pictures of work in progress a lot! Thank you to this online tools some artwork go from the studio straight to private collections without ever been exhibited for the general public.

When I get to work on something defined it becomes a very intense and exhilarating process. I get in the flow, in the zone, or whatever it is that describes that moment. I can honestly sculpt for many hours with very short breaks. Eating, getting something to drink, answer the phone, and things like that I can do while sculpting. I remember before I decided to take my studio time seriously that my main excuse was TIME. I had no time. It is very easy to get involved in so many things and neglect my art. Then I came across Michele Theberge’s The Mindful Artist. I realized that if I don’t make the time to be at the studio, no one is going to give it to me. After all, the time you dedicate to your art, is time you invest in yourself.