Isn't it funny how we, as artists, are affected by our surroundings?  I have a new studio and there is wallpaper covering the lower half of the room I paint in.  What it looks like is irrelevant.  Suffice to say that it does not agree with me and I do not agree with it.  I created a wonderful atmosphere in this room with positive energy and love my new studio - except for the bottom half. 

One of my earliest memories is of standing in a baby crib and peeling wallpaper.  Mother came in and asked why I was doing this (typical parental question) and I replied, "I don't like it".  Here I am xxx years later, peeling the top layer of this vinyl paper to get to the pulp and adhesive underneath.  I am near insane over this.  I don't dare paint until it is removed; heaven forbid that it show up in my work.  Every time I get a phone call, I go to the studio to peel as I talk so it doesn't seem so tedious.  I need more phone time but hate idle chit chat - especially on a phone.

As artists, our surroundings are important in setting our mood, work schedule, production and general relations with others.  We are especially in tune to color.  (I have a problem with anything "busy";  Clutter is my spiritual enemy.)  If you have not been aware of this obsessive phenomenon, take a look around your personal world.  Maybe, life would be different if only you changed the chartreuse throw pillows to peuse.

me

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 4 OUT OF 4 COMMENTS From: Laughlines 05/01/2008 19:02:33 I can be in a prison cell and paint or draw.  Just let me out after I'm done. From: Richard010303 04/30/2008 20:45:02 I am with Fearlessartist, below.  I have a high tolerance for clutter and it does not bother me or keep me from working.  Clutter does drive my wife crazy, however, so I will not let her into my studio.  I have run into others of both persuasions.  One artist that I know is so messy that it scares even me and others are so neat that they cannot even begin until every brush is laid out in a row, arranged by length. I have come to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong associated with any of this.  It is just part of knowing yourself and adjusting the surroundings, if necessary, to suit your temperment.  On the other hand, it might be easier and faster to just paint over the wallpaper with a rolled coat or two of gallery gray put it out of the way.  Good luck. From: fearlessartist 04/30/2008 16:17:13 This rang very true to me. "Clutter is my spiritual enemy." Love that!. The problem is for me, that I am unorganized and a bit messy, worst of all, I have a HIGH tolerance for the mess. Which makes it hard to get off my tuckus to clean it. I love the peace that comes with a tidier space, though. Sigh..   From: doanart 04/30/2008 10:00:27 There are many things that are potential distractions for artists to prevent them from settling and doing their work. For me, when I seem to "want" to avoid doing my art, cleaning becomes and obsession.   But with all my years in Buddhist practice, and training at the temple,  I learned that all that external stuff is an illusion.  If we let the external world distract us, we will never really connect to anything.  My teacher said that creating the perfect setting for meditation is an illusion.  One doesn't need a temple with incense, quiet and subtle lighting.  A person can meditate anywhere, even on a noisy subway car...if they allow themselves. I think it is the same for artists. We sometimes get all caught up in what we think we need in order to create.  But they are just tools, and sometimes those tools become crutches.  Creation comes from inside, not based on external conditions.  Kind of makes me want to dump my tea out now....