Growth in the Studio

This little green sprout is all that remains of a plant that nomadically moved from my office, to studio, or home since 1996. Pretty easy plant to upkeep; just water every couple weeks + low light = happy plant. It used to be HUGE and even recovered after two months without water. This time around I saw the wilting and browning happening in December but wasn’t able to keep the thought in my head to act. Unfortunately, this plant and my studio practice were running on parallel lines.  I took the surviving vines in May and re-potted them with some compost. This picture is of the one survivor. Ready, cuz’ here come the Cheez Whiz…cue the sappy music. Now I need to ensure my studio practice continues to grow along with this plant.

Like the super vine, the studio has been having a difficult time finding room in my life since coming to my present job. Not to mention the challenges of being a dad and husband.  I was having a hard time whittling out studio time. When school starts up this week my family and studio practice will get less attention until December or by appointment. Yes, I feel badly that my family is forced into second place to my job and working on that.   

So this summer was great for studio and flora!! I discovered new ways of revitalizing my studio practice. Some are more specific than others.

• Work doesn’t always have to be monumental and complex. 
•  Create components so when a block of time arises I can make something.
• Take time to experiment, research and expand ideas even if it is for 15 minutes. Intrigue and experimentation make for productive studio time.
•  As a great teacher once told me “You’re really good at doing _____. Now do/learn something else”.

I was told that feeling guilty about not being in the studio is good. The guilt means you care about your work. When there is no guilt the work probably didn’t matter anyway. So here’s to green plants and guilt!! Hazzah!!

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