Submitted by Cathryn Miller: Professional Craftsperson: Paper
I have been a professional craftsperson for almost forty years, first as a weaver, most recently as a book artist. Over those decades people have frequently said to me “You are so efficient!” and “You must be so organised!”
I have a dirty little secret: when pushed to meet deadlines, I stop cleaning up.
There was a massive amount of work involved in producing the pieces for Word View. Although it was spread over a period of about three years, the last four months were intensive — working seven days a week, often ten or twelve hours a day. During that time I also met a number of other deadlines.
But I did not clean up! Things got left on the floor or piled on one of my worktables.
This resulted in spaces that looked like this
and this.
I am spending this week clearing and sorting and filing and throwing out.
I calculate that it will take about one full workweek to eliminate the incredible mess, but I also estimate that I would have spent at least three times that many hours if I had kept things ‘tidy’ as I went along, hours that I really didn’t have.
It takes a certain amount of intestinal fortitude to work in spaces that look like the aftermath of a tornado. It also takes a good memory: I last saw the scissors … ?!
I don’t actually recommend this as a regular approach to the maintenance of a studio space, particularly if you work with potentially hazardous materials, but it has worked for me.
Can anyone tell me where I left the shovel?
Cathryn’s exhibition “Word View” can be seen in the Affinity Gallery from September 27-November 9, 2013. Reception Friday November 8, 7-9pm.
The views in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Saskatchewan Craft Council.