I spent the majority of the weekend in the studio furiously working away. This is what my work environment usually looks like while I’m in the thick of things. Please take note to some essential items that make me a productive gal:
- Hot water bottle – I’ve been having some pretty killer lower back pain lately thanks to some “lady pain” and the fact that I always carry a heavy tote bag on one shoulder. The hot water bottle has been amazing in remedying and perfect for providing lower back support as I hook.
- 400mg Ibuprofen – See above.
- Nescafe Instant Espresso – I tend to drink this by the litre. I tried it upon recommendation from Heather and was pleasantly surprised. It’s become a studio staple and has saved me a ton of money. I definitely give it a thumb’s up for anyone who likes coffee but can’t justify brewing an entire pot. It’s quick and surprisingly authentic tasting.
- Slim-fit Ladies’ Wrist Brace from Shopper’s Drugmart/Pharmaprix – I’ve been wearing wrist braces for years thanks to early onset tendonitis from when I was a nerdy teenager. It’s only been this year, however, that my right arm has been causing me problems (thanks to a totally preventable injury from the summer). Trying to find a comfortable brace for my right wrist has been annoying because most slim fitting braces do not include a metal support at the top of the wrist to prevent movement. I picked up a super classy grey and pink Ladies’ wrist brace over at Pharmaprix for about $30 and it’s perfect. I don’t normally wear it while I am working but I slap it on whenever I’m not working (sounds backwards, I know) in effort to force my hands to take a break. And it’s super comfortable for sleeping in, FYI.
- CBC Radio – I’m a huge fan of Radio3, especially since they spruced up the website so you can make playlists from the songs that are streaming live. There’s not much better than Canadian Independent music, I tells ya!
Anyway, I’ve been working pretty hard. Partially a result from a comment I received last week that I was “too productive”. I’ve always been a production worker. Even in undergrad I worked incredibly hard and made a lot. Since being in the MFA I feel like my productivity has actually been under par to what I usually work at. It’s only recently that I feel I’m getting shit done.
My deadline for this semester is December 9th. Between now and then I must:
- Finish and hem the Quidi Vidi hooked mat.
- Start and complete two more drawings.
- Start and complete a 2500 word proposal for a performance project based in St-Henri.
- Compose a brief artist talk presentation.
- Bake a bunch of cookies.
However, seeing that it’s Monday, my unofficial day-off, I’ll be spending the afternoon with my beau in a coffee shop. It has finally started to snow and I cannot wait to go walking around in it.
4 Responses to “A post of lists.”
I heart my splints, too! Did you know that there are two different types of splints, one for working and one for rest? The ones with the brace are for rest and sleep, and the flimsy, ‘less supportive’-feeling ones are for working. (They give you more range of motion but align your arm, wrist, and hand in a way that supposedly limits the repetitive strain injuries… whatever they say.) I haven’t felt the need to buy a ‘working’ splint yet (too sexy for my current splint), but you never know. It could be splint city for the both of us!
I’m glad I could contribute with my coffee suggestion.
SUZEN, thank you so much for the Radio3 recommendation! I am obsessed! It has been playing in the background of all my work since you posted this.
[...] friend Suzen recently wrote a blog post listing the elements that help her to be a productive artist. Artists often usually have more [...]