Unplugging
My Studio - Cutting Table and Laptop
Electronic Distraction
Currently my computer sits on a table in my bedroom, specifically the table I use to cut the fabric for my textile paintings. I find it very distracting and rarely can pass it by when I first wake up, with today being no exception.
It draws me in when I’m trying to create art as it is basically, well, in the way. It is warping my cutting mats with it’s 100 degree bottom. It’s a jumbled mess of cables that I keep thinking I might chop into with my rotary cutters. I have no other place to put it in the house at the moment so I need to learn to ignore it. While it’s not evil- my inability to ignore it is rather pitiful.
Today = Art
This weekend is my first weekend since moving into my new house that I have reserved for making art the entire weekend. No kids, no house chores, no distractions. Except this computer.
I’ve been having trouble really focusing on my art. In my old studio I could work for 8+ hours without drifting off to do something else. I want to get back to that place today. I am going to get back to that place.
So to reduce temptation, even though the real answer is some self control, it’s time for the computer to go away, at least temporarily. So I’m joining Cindy Davis and unplugging this weekend. Powering down the computer until sunday evening. Turning the ringer off on my phone. Going to get focused and make some art.
I thought about going til monday morning but I want to pay bills this weekend and do some art business activities that require me to be online. So I’ll group all those together and do them sunday evening. If I have time I want to do another post on scrum sunday evening also.
A Design!!!
Met with my builder last night and we have a design that I really love and that fits my budget. We will sign contracts tomorrow and the plans should be at the Denver Building Dept later this week. Then we sit and wait - up to 6 or 7 weeks - for them to approve the plans. I want to start soon so I’m going to believe that they will review the plans and issue the permit within the 4 weeks they say it takes. And they will.
Cause they know how much I really want a dedicated studio.
Without a computer in it.
Notes on the Above Photo
- The new piece on the wall is Structures #98. That’s what I’ll be focusing on this weekend along with Home #2. All those bright colors are very different for me. I’m excited about working with them.
- The beautiful glorious crabapple tree in the back yard is history. We tried everything to save it but I couldn’t build up, down or back without killing this tree (we even thought about picking up the house and moving it forward on the lot - but even that wouldn’t work). The tree is simply too close to the house. I’m sad. I’ll plant many more trees to make up for it. But none of them this close to the house.
- My laptop is totally cool - although you can’t see it in this photo - it’s orange. No wonder I can’t just walk past it when it’s closed. They made these things colors to make them more irresistible.
- The first thing on my todo list today is to clean up my studio. There is no way I’d show you the view from the other direction. I need to bring a bit more organization to my bedroom/studio/office.
Do you have any tricks for ignoring a computer?
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
Tagged: distractions, remodel
natalya said,
September 6, 2008 @ 8:08 am
my trick is the same as yours - unplug it! happy creating!
tracy said,
September 6, 2008 @ 10:08 am
I have a problem with being distracted by my computer too. I reluctantly decided to put it in my studio when I moved into a new space, but the jury is still out on whether that was wise or not. I fritter away a good portion of my workday doing really stupid and aimless floating around the internet.
Sometimes reminding myself of how big my butt has gotten since I got my own computer a few years ago can help me with actually getting up and doing something else. You probably don’t have that specific problem though.
Sorry about the tree, but I bet if it is so close to the house it will soon cause other problems anyway. We used to have a house that had trees too close and the roots had grown around the outside sewage pipes and eventually we had to replace the whole system because of the damage they caused. Maybe you are avoiding those issues by removing the tree, painful as it may be.
Schnoobie said,
September 6, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
HA!!!! The evil lure of the computer…… I understand fully because mine is in my studio also…. which is a complete disaster…..So sorry to hear about the tree too. Good luck with the speedy approval of your new plans. I’m excited to see it come to life as well as more new artwork from you.
Wanda said,
September 6, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
I have my computer at the opposite end of the house from my studio, plus my second studio is in the basement. This forces me to get my exercise to check the computer (many times a day). So, I really can’t look at it as a bad thing checking my email etc. I spend about an hour in the morning at it and again in the evening when I am too tired to do anything else physical. Any other stops at it during the day are only for a few minutes. Since I have a short attention span, I need to break up my work time (but I still get a lot done).
I have a laptop (that gets hot) that I occasionally play audiobooks on in my studio so I got one of those mesh laptop stands (Rubbermaid) that gets the computer up off the bookcase. It was under $20 and I’m very happy with it.
I’m glad to hear you are going ahead with your studio addition.
Tina Mammoser said,
September 7, 2008 @ 2:37 am
yeah, unplugging is the way to go. :( I’m addicted too! I try to keep my laptop in the next room - so I can still have my fix as I pass by but it isn’t in the creating space. Of course, I break that rule about every other day and bring it into the studio.
I laughed when you said you wouldn’t show the other half of the studio. Now I have a mental image of you sitting on piles of stuff to take this photo of the tidy side. :)
Veronica Richmond said,
September 7, 2008 @ 6:41 am
Wow - unplugging for the whole weekend…nope, can’t do it. I’d never manage 8+ hours on one task, so a bit of time here and there on the computer breaks things up. I find checking out other artists’ blogs very inspiring, so it can help feed my creativity.
Love the bright colours. I’m interested - why? What drew you to them right now?
You could just use a big book below the computer, too. I hope the building dept. cooperates.
cher said,
September 7, 2008 @ 7:52 am
I have my cutting area in a different room as well as my ironing board in another different room than my sewing table. I use the computer in the sewing room to take a small break from working at the machine or as a reward when I finish what I think is a more tedious sewing part. Being unplugged does allow so much more time to stay on task. I often do not turn on the computer at night so I am not wasting any time if I am working on a project with a deadline. Of course you do not have as many options, so unplugging seems the best answer for you.
will hold positive thoughts that plans are approved in a most timely fashion and sorry that the crabapple tree had to go-you certainly considered all the other options to save it. Planting good sized replacement trees is good!
Diana Connolly said,
September 7, 2008 @ 11:47 am
Love the bright colors on that new quilt…really dynamic. Since the computer is portable, unplug that puppy and put it away…like ontop of the washer with a towel on top of it. And if you think about it crabapple trees arent’ that attractive. You;’ll find something else more beautiful to grace your property.
Enjoy!!
Carolyn said,
September 7, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
Lisa, Darn, I was thinking of calling you today, but now I know that you won’t pick up the phone. It’s funny that I still remember when you used to work with those bright colors. I associate you with the yellows and lime greens. That was years ago. Happy to see those brights back in your studio. Sorry about your tree.
Katherine said,
September 8, 2008 @ 12:18 am
I do believe there needs to be a group set up for those of us who need our “fix”!
I’ve also found that unplugging is the only way to go when you really need to focus on something else. I then develop an incentive system as to what it takes to be able to switch it back on again!
Sad about the tree - but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Susie Monday said,
September 8, 2008 @ 8:02 am
I, too, have had a come-to-Jesus meeting with my computer laptop. I am no longer tethered to it in the living room, the bedroom — if I can’t get the work done that I want to during “regular business hours” then I need to think about how to let some things go. Right?
Karen said,
September 8, 2008 @ 10:37 am
Hi Lisa,
Like you, I have my computer in my bedroom. I recently had my home “feng shui-ed” and found out that it is a no-no to have an electronic device, like a computer or a tv, in the bedroom. Uh-oh. I have a desktop computer and, like you, have no other place in my home to put it. My feng shui consultant suggested that I cover it up with a cloth or blanket. Even still, it calls to me from under the blanket. So, unfortunately, I have no suggestions to offer to avoid its lure. I can relate to your dilemna though. Unplugging it is probably the best course of action. :-)
I can also relate to your tree loss. We are having a huge maple tree cut down today because it has gotten too close to our house. I’ve been feeling sad all day thinking of that majestic tree coming down. We will use its wood to heat our home not this winter but next so that is some consolation that we will be able to honor it in that way.
Good luck with your “unplugging”!
TC Krantz said,
September 8, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
I separated my computers area from where I draw. Computers are in the media room and my art table and supplies in the former sitting area of our dining room. The setup is working.
Thank you for sharing info, your work and thoughts here. It helps to have proof I’m not alone in some things.
Have a great day!
Michelle Johnson said,
September 8, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Lisa, Tracy recommended your blog for info on doing my own website, and now you are my new hero(ine?) I m blown away by your courage and ability to look objectivly at topics so many of us take way too personally!
I see your blog as a blessing right now.
THanks.
Lisa Call said,
September 8, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, comments and suggestions. As you will see in my next post I came to the conclusion many of you did and have found a different place to keep the computer. Karen - glad to know my instincts were right to get that thing out of my bedroom.
Thanks for the commiserations about the tree also. It makes me sad to end it’s life but it is the right thing for me to do. My builder was very patient with me as he knew the tree had to go within a few days. It took me a month, and more, to admit there was no other choice. I suggested he make me a front door with the tree but realistically, I’ll give the wood away for free on freecycle or craigslist and be happy it is providing warmth to others at the end of it’s life.
Carolyn - we’ll have to talk again soon! Come visit us out in Colorado - Amy and I are ready for a visit from the VA crowd!
Veronica - I’ll write more about the bright colors soon - I’m not sure the answer to your questions right now - I need to think about it for a while and I suspect the answers will appear.
Last note - I did spend 3 hours organizing my studio this weekend also - it looks much better!
Ujwala said,
September 16, 2008 @ 8:37 am
wow! i thought that selling my laptop would help me with making time for my art but before I could get back home i made sure that my husband hired a desktop for me! Congratulations on your success! i’m thinking of giving it a try :P