MOVING DAY
Here are some photos of my recent move to my new studio in Brooklyn. It's been almost 4 years that I've had a studio in Manhattan, but now I've decided to say "farewell" and embrace a space that is closer to home. I'm going to miss my studio mates, but this is something that I feel is necessary, if I want to grow my work.
The main reason that I decided to find a space on my own was because I wasn't accepted into graduate school this year for Fine Arts. My rejection from the 4 schools that I applied to left me a bit lost and confused. My intention to go back to school had more to do with feeling as though my work had plateaued in some respect, and so naturally, I assumed school would be the proper route to take in order to free myself from this creative flat-line. But also, in the past 2 years I was fortunate to have participated in a couple of studio residencies within New York City, that truly inspired me to want to take my work to the next level; to experiment with different media, and to explore new ideas outside of my commercial work.
My experience in this fine art environment seriously thrusted my way of thinking into a new direction, and thus challenged the way in which I began to view my commercial/illustration work. I've been asked time and time again, how do you keep your work fresh?...how do you stay inspired?... really, I don't have a concrete answer. I'm inspired by so many things: by the books that I read, by the images that I see day-to-day, from the conversations and interactions that I have with friends and strangers. I think for me, being too comfortable, feeling too cozy in my life and in my career, can become detremental to my creativity. I've learned up to this point not to try to follow so many rules, and to understand that there is no right or wrong way to approach image-making.
So after not getting into graduate school, I decided that instead of sulking in my own complacency, I would find a space of my own where I could concentrate and freely explore some new ideas that I had, regardless of how relevant it may be to the illustration work that I am doing now. In many ways, I've crawled into my own well, and will steep in there for a while, until I am ready to come out again.
Here are some photos of my recent move to my new studio in Brooklyn. It's been almost 4 years that I've had a studio in Manhattan, but now I've decided to say "farewell" and embrace a space that is closer to home. I'm going to miss my studio mates, but this is something that I feel is necessary, if I want to grow my work. 
The main reason that I decided to find a space on my own was because I wasn't accepted into graduate school this year for Fine Arts. My rejection from the 4 schools that I applied to left me a bit lost and confused. My intention to go back to school had more to do with feeling as though my work had plateaued in some respect, and so naturally, I assumed school would be the proper route to take in order to free myself from this creative flat-line. But also, in the past 2 years I was fortunate to have participated in a couple of studio residencies within New York City, that truly inspired me to want to take my work to the next level; to experiment with different media, and to explore new ideas outside of my commercial work. 
My experience in this fine art environment seriously thrusted my way of thinking into a new direction, and thus challenged the way in which I began to view my commercial/illustration work. I've been asked time and time again, how do you keep your work fresh?...how do you stay inspired?... really, I don't have a concrete answer. I'm inspired by so many things: by the books that I read, by the images that I see day-to-day, from the conversations and interactions that I have with friends and strangers. I think for me, being too comfortable, feeling too cozy in my life and in my career, can become detremental to my creativity. I've learned up to this point not to try to follow so many rules, and to understand that there is no right or wrong way to approach image-making.
So after not getting into graduate school, I decided that instead of sulking in my own complacency, I would find a space of my own where I could concentrate and freely explore some new ideas that I had, regardless of how relevant it may be to the illustration work that I am doing now. In many ways, I've crawled into my own well, and will steep in there for a while, until I am ready to come out again. 
6 comments:
A change of scenery, that's a good idea. Hopefully it'll help to jump start a fresh and inspiring new body of work. I wonder what will happen next? Excited to see new stuff!
wow. both your general work & this blog entry have really spoken to me. as a recent graduate, the simple question of what to draw next is starting to feel a lot more daunting and unnatural than i ever previously remember. thanks for writing with so much clarity, its shed light on a few things i haven't quite put into words yet myself.
best of luck in everything you do!
thanks for the comments and best wishes!
How funny that I've been looking into graduate programs also for the sake of finding the next level for me. Perhaps your change in studio will help you (as I've recently got my own studio space.) Your work is amazing and it inspires me, I will be watching to see where this new adventure takes you. Cheers!
Interesting post, I'm surprised you would get rejected from any grad school program, your work is very inspirational, My girlfriend actually gave me a lava life poster you did, it hangs in my room, it's the one that says " kiss fewer frogs"
As for the plateau part, it's just part of learning and mastering something in your life. You should enjou the plateau. check out a book called Mastery by George Leonard, I think it'll help you on your journey.
~ Amir
Chickengirl - thanks for the post... so far the studio space has been great.. not so sure what will happen, but it definitely feels like a positive change.
Amir - thanks much for the book suggestion. I'll definitely check it out... I actually went book shopping today and bought a couple on Typography. thanks too for hanging up the poster on your wall - i'm flattered!
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