This post was so helpful to me, personally, I must comment. Recently, I have been in exactly the same position as you describe when faced by the blank walls of your new studio space, even though we are light years apart in age and circumstances. I have been trying to start work in a new, clean and reorganised studio space with the intention of experimenting with different media, tools and scale. Your mum’s advice was spot on for me too, as I faced the startling realisation that I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do, where to start or what was needed. I don’t have much in the way of museums, galleries or even charity shops on my doorstep, but your post made me realise I am surrounded by other realities and ideas. I have the capacity to “get out there”, find, reject/select, curate, collate and/or develop, free from the constraints of my previous mindset and practice, and/or drawing on it if I please. I am now the proud owner of a kick-started sketchbook, a huge noticeboard of pinned up (rather strange) photos to consider and curiously selected objects to hold. They are happily restoring my super clean, re-organised studio space back to business. At last, I feel excited to begin again, and I didn’t even need to go online, shopping for Black Friday’s exciting range offers to replace my tired brushes. So thank-you very much, Rowan and Paula.
Thank you for your comment Frances! I love what you're saying about finding, rejecting and selecting - so important to also listen to what doesn't speak to you, I think it can help us understand more of what does. I think once you're in an open headspace of collecting and curating, there's interest in all sorts of environments. I'm excited by the sound of the juxtapositions on your noticeboard and sketchbook too. Looking forward to hearing what comes next :)
This post was so helpful to me, personally, I must comment. Recently, I have been in exactly the same position as you describe when faced by the blank walls of your new studio space, even though we are light years apart in age and circumstances. I have been trying to start work in a new, clean and reorganised studio space with the intention of experimenting with different media, tools and scale. Your mum’s advice was spot on for me too, as I faced the startling realisation that I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do, where to start or what was needed. I don’t have much in the way of museums, galleries or even charity shops on my doorstep, but your post made me realise I am surrounded by other realities and ideas. I have the capacity to “get out there”, find, reject/select, curate, collate and/or develop, free from the constraints of my previous mindset and practice, and/or drawing on it if I please. I am now the proud owner of a kick-started sketchbook, a huge noticeboard of pinned up (rather strange) photos to consider and curiously selected objects to hold. They are happily restoring my super clean, re-organised studio space back to business. At last, I feel excited to begin again, and I didn’t even need to go online, shopping for Black Friday’s exciting range offers to replace my tired brushes. So thank-you very much, Rowan and Paula.
Thank you for your comment Frances! I love what you're saying about finding, rejecting and selecting - so important to also listen to what doesn't speak to you, I think it can help us understand more of what does. I think once you're in an open headspace of collecting and curating, there's interest in all sorts of environments. I'm excited by the sound of the juxtapositions on your noticeboard and sketchbook too. Looking forward to hearing what comes next :)