The past week has been hectic, which to be honest is the same as most weeks; show installing, teaching, PV visiting, studio time, admin, writing, social engagements, family things etc. These are all great things to be doing – except maybe the admin – but balancing so many activities at once does unfortunately compromise the amount of time there is for focused and sustained periods to reflect on and develop an art practice. Consequently, I often find myself engaged in an enduring dialogue about my work in my own head, more often than not in the least appropriate situations, in an attempt to maintain a continual and unbroken relationship with my practice. I’m not sure how productive these internal conversations are, where ideas are moved back and forth, plans are made and recent sketches are deemed futile, as such one person conversations are often rather exhausting. I was very relieved to recently discover through a conversation with friends that I’m not the only person in a constant, silent cycle of personal artistic interrogation. I was beginning to worry…
I know I’m also not alone in juggling so many responsibilities and projects, it does appear to be the life of most artists. However, attaining more consistent time in a studio environment is one of the luxuries I will be afforded during the forthcoming residency at the Centre for Drawing, and something I feel very lucky to have offered to me. It’s not often that I get successive full days to work and yet I know how important it is to have this time to explore, play, test and evaluate what I make. Although it’s not a long time for a residency, I’m sure the two weeks period will be a productive experience that proves significant in the opportunity it offers for a more contemplative approach to making work, rather than what sometimes feels like a hit and run approach to being in the studio.
The good news about my busy week is that I’ve finished off a number of projects, leaving a few days next week clear to get into the studio and prepare for my move to the project space at the Centre for Drawing. Exciting.
