Episode 240: Your Studio Privacy

The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell

Privacy and solitude are important factors in producing creative work, allowing an artist to feel secure to explore and take the time needed to develop meaningful work without judgement or observation. Yet the outside world can sometimes push against these needs. It may seem hard to set the boundaries around your studio time, to preserve the time and space you need to focus exclusively on your work without distractions. Today we will talk about setting boundaries around your privacy as an artist and what you choose to share of your unique creative space.

Having any other person in the studio, even someone who is respectful and quiet, means your attention is divided. Making art requires complete focus, and disruptions and distractions can derail your process. You never know when you'll enter a state of flow or when you'll be challenged by something that needs your complete attention. Not being secure in your privacy is therefore unsettling. Making art is also very personal, and when you're alone in a private setting you are most in touch with your inner self.

Of course, studio visits are not always a bad thing. It can be very positive to have other artists come to visit, or to hold an open studio and welcome in the public. But most of us want control over the timing and duration of that, in order to guard privacy and working time. Along with people from the art world, many artists also have friends and family with whom they need to set limits. It may be hard for non-artists to understand how much you need privacy in the studio.

For all issues relating to privacy, the most important thing is to figure out what your boundaries are. Who and what will you let in? What makes you uncomfortable and how can you change that? How much of a sense of privacy do you need to create your best work? It is always your right to maintain your privacy however you see fit.

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What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry are now midway through their winter quarter of online sessions at Cold Wax Academy, where as always members have access to in-depth and varied content for learning and growth. Upcoming sessions include a presentation by guest author Shaun McNiff, tips on photographing your artwork, a painting clinic for works in progress, and the final critique session for this quarter with a special focus on composition. As a member, you can also access the private Facebook page and the community there of informed and supportive artists who post paintings, ask questions and initiate discussions.

It's never too late to join Cold Wax Academy! All live sessions are recorded and there are now nearly 100 previous sessions in the member library. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information.
Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

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For more from The Messy Studio:
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For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com
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The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.