Friday, February 15, 2013

Where I Work


Since moving into my new space, I've had loads of people ask me 'whats it like'.

As you see, it's a mess - a really big mess most of the time, but sometimes a slightly tidier mess, as is the case in these pictures because I tidied up.

The space itself is 130 square feet (you do the maths if you don't know imperial measurements - it's about the size of a UK double bedroom) of emptiness within an creative hub in South London. It has (almost) white walls, and a concrete floor. It's cold, although there is a working heating system, microwave, kettle, and a cafe downstairs with pretty decent coffee. The building it's all housed in is like a dilapidated 1970s school. I love it.

As anyone who has worked along side me will tell you, I like lots of mess. I like to surround myself with an eclectic array of colourful noise to pepper my day with silliness. I tend never to throw things away, especially if someone has given it to me - it usually gets pinned up somewhere, ready to be included in my work in some capacity. Dina, yes I do still have your post-it note from 2006.

In the corner of the studio are seven very large boxes, full of more nick-nacks that have yet to be unpacked. They sit alongside 3 vending machines I might hang on the wall at some point, and a large vintage suitcase, full of my sons drawings.

Some call me a hoarder. I don't think I'm quite that bad yet though.

I collect pencils and have a strict rule about ones I can use. The ones I never touch are kept in the toaster. Anyone found fiddling with them is usually scorned.

My stunning 1950s desk pencil sharpener is lethal, sharpening my weapons like no modern sharpener can, although it does tend to eat my pencils somewhat quicker than a regular one.

I listen to the radio often, though also have a habit of watching films whilst I work, choosing rarely to use headphones as I find the wire restricts my movement between the desk and the light-box.

I like to stick my work up on the wall, and stand back to see where it's going wrong. Of course, with so much other crap up on the walls already, that is sometimes hard.

So, there. My space, where I work every day.






6 comments:

  1. Lovely space - looks like a very organised mess. Feel sorry for the pencils in the toaster though. Are they rejects, and if so, why can't other people get to play why them?

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  2. Ah, thanks Jenny, you're very kind. It's rarely this tidy!

    Rejects? No, just vintage or irreplaceable gifts, unlike the ones in the pots...

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  3. I love the fact that you have kept a post-it note from 2006! I totally associate with your tendencies to 'hoard' stuff! And your space looks great!

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  4. Monkeychopdom: Brilliant! Love it and also love that you kept Dina's Post-It.
    (This is Sophie Neilan commenting, by the way! I only seem to be able to sign in via an old blog I used to have).

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  5. Ah, Miss Neilan. How the devil are you?

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