Before we
moved from Berne to the mountains I had the studio that was situated very close
to the river Aare. Not only that I had the nature just around the corner, but
also a very creative neighbourhood with architects, graphic designers, ship
builders, etc. I needed seven minutes to reach my studio by bike and I cycled
along the beautiful river Aare all the way from my home to the studio. Even
though the way to the studio was so short I only went to work there on the
weekends when I didn’t have to study or work elsewhere. If I had one hour break
I wouldn’t go to the studio because I knew that by the time I get there, change
into working clothes and say hello to my neighbours, I would only have some 20
minutes left to work with clay. So I didn’t go to my studio…
Now that I
have my studio in our house I learned to appreciate those short breaks. I only
have to go few steps downstairs and I can enter my own creative area. Yes, I
had to learn to be grateful for this new situation. At the beginning I missed the
high ceiling, plenty of light and the abundance of space of my former studio. Also,
I missed the whole inspiring and creative community in my former neighbourhood.
Finally, I missed the feeling of actually going to work.
Having the
studio in our house turned out to be a big advantage. When my son was born three
years ago, I could go to my studio when he was asleep. At the beginning I
didn’t do much, but bit by bit I worked more often. If my son is “working” with
me I usually do smaller jobs like trimming, wedging the clay, sanding or making
sketches. Doing pottery 8 hours a day without a break is a rarity now that I am
a mother. So I learned to arrange with this new situation and I use every
possible moment to go to the studio.
Also, there
are disadvantages of having your studio in your house. The biggest one is the
dirt. Doing pottery produces amazing amount of dust and dirt. If I don’t clean
my working space at the end of the day I would have the clay dust all over the
house. Another thing is that you don’t have the feeling of going to work. If there
is bread in the oven I may interject my throwing session just to take it out of
the oven. Usually you don’t do this when you are at “work”. No matter how well I
may have organized my working schedule, I am still at home.
My son thinks
that everyone has a pottery studio at home and that all mamas are “doing
porcelain”. So, when I tell him that I am working he would correct me that I am
not working but rather “doing porcelain”. He is probably right. The word “work”
doesn’t sound as fun as the idea of having your hands and your apron all messed
up with clay.
