My worktable: before and after
December 15, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Home & Living
Make Art Monday
I’ve made an important discovery: I can’t work when I’m surrounded by a mess. I used to think that I could, right up until the time that all my creative joy and energy just evaporated. I didn’t even care when each Make Art Monday rolled around, and that used to be my favorite day of the week. What happened was that I hadn’t bothered to clean up after any project that I did…just let it all accumulate.
Some folks love that. They love the serendipity of having stuff strewn all over so that they’ll see connections they otherwise would miss. But not me. I like a clean table.
I had worked very hard at making sure that my desk, where I do my writing, was always clean, because I recognized that I was incapable of settling down to write in the middle of a mess. But I always assumed that my art table was a different matter.
See, you can still learn new stuff about yourself, even when you’re on the downside of your 40s! I made another really important discovery in this process: my work table is WHITE!!!
Hi Cyndi -
You are funny! But I agree with you. In fact, now that I have a studio (my son’s room), I am in the process of organizing it. Things are in boxes stuffed in the closet, but I refuse to “Play” until it is organized. While I have an idea of where everything might be, I just can’t work with stuff strewn all over the place. So I understand where you are coming from.
Elaine
Sadly, my table looks like your “before.” I’m about ready to sweep it all on the floor. I’m like you, maybe can tolerate a little more out, but it’s too much right now. Congrats!
Free at last, free at last, I can’t believe after all this time I’m free at last!!
I am working on mine-I generally keep it neat, but I have not used it for a while, so my studio is piled high! This gives me an incentive!!
I’m exactly like you Cyndi. This may sound strange, but I have trouble breathing properly and concentrating when I’m surrounded by a mess. Of course, I drive all my messy friends crazy, but I don’t care because it’s MY work area.
I thought your BEFORE foto was pretty organized looking.
I just got back from a trip, and before I left I had a very tight deadline (myown) of things to finish to take with me .. and came back to THAT mess.
Then unpacking made a bigger mess.
SO, early o’clock I started sorting and stacking and cleared a spot on my work table.
Tomorrow or tonight I will HAVE to finish the cleanup project… I am working somewhere today that I can not leave a mess, so wish me luck I even DO anything…
I know I have posted a photo of my work table, but now I have my step ladder easel, my drafting table, my side table for stacking supplies, etc..
For some folks, it works to just chip away at it. For me, well, I gotta just bite the bullet
It’s fun to hear how others handle their studio messes!
I agree Cyndi, even though I think that makes us artist oddballs. I find an organized space to be a million times more productive.
OMG I thought it was just me!! Obviously the workspace gets messy when you are working but there comes a point (now being a good one) when it starts haveing a very negative effect on my creativity and my physical well being. I have sat here all night and done nothing, so will spend ten minutes tidying up again so I can maybe work tomorrow night.
Cindy
It’s definitely *not* just you! There seems to be the attitude that creative people are messy people, and many are, but not all of us by a long shot
I also work better when things are organized, but it’s a constant battle. In fact, that’s one of the major things to do on my “to do” list this holiday.