Emma Saffy Wilson
  • Home
  • Dirt
  • Mould
  • other
  • About
  • Community Art & Education
  • Blog - Studio Visit

One of those days ...

11/6/2014

2 Comments

 
I'm having 'one of those days' - I'm sure we all have them. I have them more frequently then I'd like to. Days when I finally get into the studio and then question everything. I examine what I was last working on with the critical eye of someone who hates contemporary art, who doesn't 'get' it and can't work out the 'point' of it all. My inner critic is horrid, and I'm sure not helpful at all. I know if I met my inner critic, properly, face to face I'd have so much to say to her about the importance of the arts, how artists work and how we develop our practice, I'd also not want to see her again, clueless critical objectional creature. But she appears without my invite into my studio and has so much to say about it all, all negative of course. I could ignore her but instead I let her get to me and I then too question what's the point of it all, what the hell was I thinking of when I spent all of last Wednesday sieving that mud to make 'THAT'?! How on earth is this benefitting anyone but myself (and on many days I wonder if it does even that?)

I've driven here today in a van that's gearbox is on it's way out, I shouldn't be driving it, it lurches into neutral whenever it feels like it (usually on a roundabout) and drives along as if it's in 1st gear the entire time. When I parked up at my studio, the burning smell from it's poor little engine was overwhelming. All that just to walk into the studio, for the second day running, and sit and question everything. I've been so wretched to myself and my artwork today (and yesterday) that I've had to open up the laptop and start writing in the hope by ignoring my inner critic she'll just sod off. 

I don't often come onto my website, I should do more, I need to update it more frequently, it might even help. Updating my website is all part of my job as an artist and yet I know when I leave the studio today I'll still criticise myself for not 'making anything' or 'wasting' my time.  It's true, the networking, the updating, the opportunities search/application process usually happens when I'm not in the studio, normally at night.  A studio day is an opportunity to get dirty, to experiment, to put on my overalls to feel like a 'proper artist'! Ha, if that programme "What do artists do all day" is to be believed that is all we would do, indulge in the studio and create, however it doesn't work like that, and the comfort I get is knowing that all the artists in my life don't live their lives like that, they juggle other jobs, or use precious studio days to get the car to the garage, buy those belated birthday presents, get some food into the empty fridge, attempt to organise accounts and then follow up those emails etc ... 

Am I complaining? No, I couldn't imagine living any other life and I'm blessed and thankful most of the time, I'm just having 'one of those days' which I know when I get home (if my van makes it) I'll look back on and kick myself for wasting it by moaning about it on here. Such is life and tomorrow is another day.
2 Comments
Carol Parker link
11/6/2014 12:14:03 am

your post made me giggle a little - sorry, I know that wasn't the desired reaction but we are so very hard on ourselves!
I rarely have days when I can do any meaningful work, it's a bit like panning for gold...every now and then studio play results in an idea that's workable. They don't come often, but when they do we embrace them, keep hold of them (rarely sleeping and eating) until they disappear - which they always do. Then you have to wait patiently for the next one. And then there's the money issue....xx

Reply
saffy
11/6/2014 06:26:49 am

Hi Carol - I'm glad it made you giggle :) I'm giggling now re-reading it (although I still feel the same way!) Yes, so hard on ourselves, ugh why oh why oh why? x

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I always love a peek into fellow artists studios, seeing work in progress and ideas being played with.  

    This page operates as a view into my studio practice. A reminder for me of what's going on in my head and in that space.

    A reminder of work that often remains incomplete

    Categories

    All
    Dirt
    Exhibition
    Mould
    Porthmeor
    Printing On Wood
    Roots
    Sketchbook
    Studio
    Wirework
    Work In Progress

    Archives

    December 2020
    December 2015
    October 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Dirt
    Exhibition
    Mould
    Porthmeor
    Printing On Wood
    Roots
    Sketchbook
    Studio
    Wirework
    Work In Progress

    Archives

    December 2020
    December 2015
    October 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Dirt
  • Mould
  • other
  • About
  • Community Art & Education
  • Blog - Studio Visit