What is going on in the background when you do your art?

[goddessofgeek]

I like to keep the TV on with colorful movies with great soundtracks or home repair shows (my reason being if someone is working THAT hard at something I can force myself to get my artwork done). If I ever listen to music, I like to listen to a genre that relates to the piece that I'm working on. For instance, I'm working on a few pieces that have to do with Hawaiian mythology, so I've been listening to Polynesian music. Then I listen to rock and rap when I'm stretching, priming, and sanding my canvases.

So . . . what do you have going on in the background while you're working?

[Clive Green]

Classical music, world music, reggae, blues, RNZ National. bird song, ReoFM or RaukawaFM, - but once I'm involved I don't hear them anyway. Definitely NOT talkback radio, sports of any sort, most rap, pop, or happy clappy christians - they make me want to throw stuff.

[stlukesguild]

Classical music, opera, bluegrass, jazz, blues, classic rock... and often a bit of banter with my studio-mates... laden frequently with a wry sense of humor, satire... and often a dark edge.

[darkwolf29]

Music of all types, movies....what ever strikes me at the time. I always try to pick a theme that goes with what I working on. The darker, gothier, it is...I head that direction with music and movies. If I'm bright and cheary...that's the direction.

[La_]

pop, rock, classical, eclectic

sometimes i find music distracting, usually lately, so just the quiet peace of the day, natural nature sounds.

la

[friesin]

my favourite songs on my mp 3 player
and a glass of champagne

[Heket]

Hmm I can't seem to work well with anything on these days. When I was at school I used to listen to certain music and bands (mainly PJ Harvey and Metallica) and sometimes a local radio station's chillout programme (which was on when I started my art homework at 9pm on a Sunday... lol) but now I enjoy the quiet. It's easier to hear me talking to myself that way! "Now the burnt sienna goes there, and if I mix it with a touch of.. NOOO cauliflower!"

I now do my art in the conservatory though, so I have ambient noise from birds in the garden and other people pottering about in theirs. That seems to suit me best.

[artyczar]

The chirping of birds and the sounds of the neighborhood.

[StephenC]

Mostly I listen to audiobooks. I've discovered it's great to listen to some of the books I've always wanted to read but could not fit them into my schedule because I am painting so much. I often miss whole discs because I'd gone into deep concentration and have to keep replaying them, but that's okay.

I also listen to my music downloads, rock, popular, from the '60's to the present. I listen to some radio but confine my listening to oldies and selected contemporary rock. I abhor all talk radio, religious broadcasts, techno, and country music.

[goddessofgeek]

StephenC

That's such a good idea! I love reading books and I usually don't get a chance to read them as much as I'd like. I'm going to have to do that! That's usually what I do if I'm driving on a long trip. I can't believe it never occurred to me to do that while I'm working.

[Keith Russell]

I've been going through an odd phase. I've been listening to Rickie Lee Jones, Lisa Gerrard, KMFDM, Tom Waits, and Rush.

I don't know what this means, but that's what I've been playing in the studio lately...

[GardenMaven]

Lord only knows what is going on in the background because I am focused on my work. So I have no music or television and only hope I notice when my Yorkie wants to go outside!

[artyczar]

Keith,

Which Rickie album, and which Rush album are you listening to?

[goddessofgeek]

Tom Waits is a favorite of mine too. I listen to his stuff when i'm shading. I get into a nice rhythm.

[AllisonR]

Music. I try to roughly match the mood that I need. For example fast and upbeat if I am behind schedule and need to work quickly. No way I could listen to an audiobook, or anything else that needed me to think, while painting. I get in deep focus while painting and am down too deep for distractions. I think the music starts me, but once down into the zone, I often don't even hear that.

In May I got an Atelier in a huge cultural center in town, so I leave the doors open and an Open sign on the door and invite people in. This does affect my focus, but I am trying to discipline myself - to learn how to get into focus and out again when needed. It is difficult, but I want to learn this skill.