Studio Time Without Studio Space

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Many people hate Monday. I like Monday. Monday is my studio day, or at least it used to be. Technically it still is but certain things changed since we moved. I no longer have a dedicated studio space. The studio space was that corner in which I could work on my art without restrictions and where people came to take private lessons. It was also my space to think, plan, and generate ideas for current and future work. Not having that space sounds like a terrible loss, but it is not. I can have studio time without studio space.

Discipline and practice is not limited to a physical space but to the actions required to maintain the habits to continue creating and improving technique. Yes, the space is necessary to expand those creative moments, teach, keep supplies, and being able to come back to the work at any time. I feel like I’m taking a sabbatical from sculpting and painting. Nonetheless, I keep myself busy drawing everyday, and I am doing the painting and sculpting parties more frequently too. Now that I am writing again that also keeps my mind busy and gives me the chance to meditate and articulate ideas and my mental process. I’ll be teaching a computer class soon as well. Beginning next school semester I’ll be teaching in a university too. With all of these things happening at once I have to consider the world my studio.

I don’t think there is a need to limit myself to the physical studio space to dance with muses and get ready for what comes next. I don’t want to have a studio space as I had before. I want something else for which I’m getting ready. As the weather gets warmer I will be painting outside more, and who knows, maybe I’ll be sculpting again soon. That I can do while I wait to understand God’s will regarding studio space where I can display my art, work, and teach. Until then I enjoy studio time every day. Everything will come to pass in due time. There are so many things to look forward to this year.

Read also Studio Time: Work on Something or Nothing & The Discipline in The Discipline

I Can Fill One Too

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11082588_10150553819634956_3721361725399077905_nThe exhibit as featured artist at The Gallery at Elemar came to a close. I had to remove my art from the stage where the featured artist exhibits the work. It is someone else’s time to use the stage. My work was on stage since November 2014. I still show my work there. As I was moving stuff around and trying to figure out my exhibit area I was thinking about Pablo Picasso and his quote, “Give me a museum and I’ll fill it.” I can fill one too. Maybe a museum is too big for me but I’m sure I can fill a gallery or a studio.

I have more than 10 pieces on display at the gallery and about 20-30 other pieces at home ready for show and sale. I definitely need to start seriously considering studio space where I can display all these pieces and where I can have workshops and the sculpting and painting parties. That is definitely my 5-year plan but I guess I should consider making it a 3-year plan. I enjoy the sculpting and painting parties at Cafe Atlantique and all the other places, and the workshops at the Seniors Center, and I don’t see what those can’t continue even when having a studio space. However, I do need working studio space and having my own may provided a greater flexibility and expansion in the kind of workshops I can offer. Nevertheless, I hope to keep traveling and teaching despite having the studio or not. One thing can be done without dismissing the other.

11082621_10150552324439956_4430117058517044782_nI’ve been thinking about a figure study workshop and open figure drawing nights for a while. That I would love to do on a regular basis. Also, the studio space could be great for all the private classes. I could also hold open studios and show openings. It would be amazing to be able to present the new collection along with the book in a place like that. There is so much to dream about. That is the first step to make it a reality. Dream on, my friend.

Videos

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This week has been a very blessed one. Many good things happening, which also add a little stress to prepare for changes and what comes next. It is the good kind of stress. Last night after sharing a great time with friends I was so tired that I didn’t write today’s post. I don’t who is reading this but today I want to share my videos with you. Sometimes no words are necessary. Enjoy!

Discarded Artwork

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I am constantly sculpting or painting. I take a break from time to time but I try to sculpt or paint, or at least draw several times per week. I focus on one piece at a time while thinking about two or three more I want to create right after. At times I alternate between a sculpture and a painting working a little here and a little there. By the time I decide what my next show is about and how many pieces to present I probably have three times the amount of pieces ready. Only a certain amount make it to the exhibit. What happens to the other pieces? The discarded artwork might get rejected way before selection. Here are a few things that happen regularly in my little studio.

Let’s start with paintings. That’s the easier one since I don’t show that many paintings. If I like the painting in the first place it goes for sale almost immediately. If I’m not sure if I like it I hang it on a wall where I can look at it from time to time. I take pictures of it and pot them in social media. After sometime I might move it to the website for sale or I just set it aside to paint over it something different. When people talk about the mysteries of Leonardo’s multiple layers paintings I just laugh inside. If the painting falls under the theme or concept of the exhibit then I put it aside as part of the selection. In the event that it is sold before the show I send it to the new home unless the buyer wants me to show it. There are other possible destinations for a painting like donations or gifts. Technically no painting is discarded, just recycled.

Sculptures go to a slightly different process depending on the stage and medium used. Let’s begin with clay sculptures. First let me tell you about the stages of clay sculpting. I prepare the armature which is often just a simple wood stick on a wood board covered with newspaper. I sculpt and if I make it to the end without destroying it and starting over I let it dry. At that point I know I want to give the finishing touches and put it on a base. Again, if I really like it the piece goes for sale, if not it will be at the studio until I shatter it into pieces and throw it way. The piece if selected for an exhibit if it fits the theme, or it goes to group shows.

When sculpting with modeling clay the process is slightly different. I can start over the piece as many times as I want, as it happens many times. Once I’m done with the model I can still make changes or start all over again or simply develop the idea in a different direction. I’ve had ‘finished’ pieces in the studio for a year or more before moving on into creating a mold and casting the piece. Anything can happen during that time. I try to create a mold and cast only those I really like that either be part of the solo exhibit, go for sale, or being bought before casting as it had happened several times before. It is very unlikely that I go through the casting process of a piece I don’t really like. If any of those is discarded it remains at home.