Studio Space Savers

Last October I had a very inspiring visit at the Roro Art studio in Toronto.
My friend Robin's sense of organizing space is the best I've ever seen.  The amount of supplies, tools, final products and resource material that she can fit in a single space is incredible.

Knowing I could improve in my own "studio with a bed in the middle", I started making some tweaks in terms of moving furniture around, decluttering and getting rid of things I no longer needed.
No, REALLY, I had to be stern with myself, and a lot of "my PRECIOUS" and "I'll need that someday" had to go.

Thankfully, the  parting is virtually guilt-free, as a lot of my neighbors are recyclers.
Whatever I put out on the curb that might, even remotely, have some kind of utility left in it, gets appropriated within two or three hours, usually. Weirdest quick disappearances so far: a pair of DESTROYED studio sneakers, and a very uncomfortable mattress.
But I digress. Again. Back on track:

This week, in between steps in two different contracts, I spent a lot of time and effort on that studio makeover.  I LOVE it!

My biggest investment and improvement came as a purchase of a used industrial shelving system (200$).
That beautiful behemoth thing allows me to store most of my supplies in one room, but it does take HALF the room.  Seeing how wonderfully deep and wide that middle shelf was, I decided to use it as a work table. finally, a space big enough to pattern and cut my fabrics, without having to put a board over my bed.  That meant that more than a third of the shelving's storing power would be immediately eliminated!  That wouldn't do!  I figured I could find some shelves I could install on the back wall, between the bottom shelf and the top one. Easier said then done!


But the idea of using milk crates has been floating in my head since my Roroart visit, and today I implemented it.  WOW!  The table space that 7 maskmaking bases used to wastefully occupy, now provides residence to those same bases, and so many more items, including items that were stored elsewhere.  I have better storage, and MORE SPACE!

I love the milk crates so much I'm getting more this week. I want to build an l-shaped  mobile tool station, to hold my tool bucket, a tape dispenser, with a wooden table top to hold my crock pot (for warming my oil-based clay).  The crates are held together with big tie wraps (zip ties), which means they can easily be re purposed in the future. For sturdier assembly, I'd use nuts and bolts with washers.

For those who have not had the pleasure of interacting with milk crates, they are quite common in North America.  They are sturdy plastic square crates that are used for delivery of milk and other items to grocery and convenience stores. Countless artists, handypeople, and cyclists have adopted them for their own uses.  You can get them for free sometimes, but in my area, I have to buy them from the store, as they have a consignation price on them. They have to pay the supplier for each missing crate, so I buy them at that price, which is 4$.  4$ for a magical item that has the convenience of a thousand uses!

Here's my first milk crate shelving, which is only four crates and an old wooden shelf:

I'll update this article with more tips and pictures of what I've done in my studio soon.

CLAY: Oil VS Water Based

I've a preference for oil-based clay, since it suits my technical needs the most.
Still, water based clay is unbeatable for certain tasks.
Ideally, one would be equipped and have a studio setup to use both clays, but when a choice must be made for one of the two, having the following information is certainly helpful!

18 inch tall WED clay head. VERY SMOOTH.
My design (drawing), main sculpture by Jean-Pierre Busque, detailing and refining by me.

Waterbased Clay can be sculpted FAST, and smoothed even faster.
With water and sponges and brushes. No toxic solvent, no flame required.
It can be re-smoothed later, when it has become firmer. It can be made flawlessly smooth.
My favorite is Earthenware. It's amazing!  It's alive, it's MAGICAL!
Except it has its drawbacks. MAJOR drawbacks for some.
It dries, therefore it can crack, it can fall off the armature, and work has to be redone.
This can be prevented of course, by spraying water as one works (not too much!), and by keeping the sculpture protected by moist towels covered with a plastic bag, until the next work session.
Wash and replace towels every few days.
Waterbased Clay dries our hands as we work with it. Use a good hand cream after every hand washing, and take breaks occasionally.
It produces dust. A lot of dust. The mess goes everywhere as you walk away from your work station.
And, you are breathing it in. Silica is not something you want in your lungs. I got sick from it when I was in College, because I was sculpting in my bedroom. NOT a good idea with dusty materials.
Waterbased clay becomes harder and firmer as it dries, which is a necessity if you want to fire it in a kiln and get a ceramic sculpture.  But this same property becomes the enemy of the worker of fine, thin details.  Small fingers for example, will dry faster than the rest of the sculpture, and provoke a lot of frustration. When you need to sculpt an action figure or a puppet with moving parts to be reproduced later by the use of molds, waterbased clay is not the usual choice.
You can re-use this kind of clay if you keep it clean and moist, but protect it from contamination by products and dust, to prevent mold from forming in it. For long term storage, let it dry, and store in a container. Re-moisten in a large bucket, DAYS before you plan on re-using it.
My favorite type of waterbased clay: WED clay. It dries a bit slower than other clays, thanks to its glycerin content. I don't have any at the moment, as it is not available in a local store, but I plan on getting some again someday. In the meantime, a locally-made earthenware does what I need, which these days is making clay walls for making molds over my oil-based clay models. Because oil repels water, the two clays don't merge, and keeps my sculpt clean during the process.


Oil-Based Clay, aka Plasticene or Plastalina, takes a long time to smooth, but that's the only major disadvantage I can find about it.
A good quality Plastalina is firm at room temperature, and can be left on a shelf for YEARS without damage to it, as long as it suffers no physical attack. Cover to protect from dust, keep way from heat sources and the sunlight, and that's it. No drying, no cracking, as long as it's not on a porous surface or armature.

Because it is both firm and relatively pliable at room temperature, it can be used in very thin applications, without cracking. The firmer plastalinas can be used to make a sculpture in multiple parts, with articulations worked into the model.  This is especially useful for making action figures and even static sculptures meant to be molded in a more practical approach, for easier reproduction and assembly.  Smoothing can be done easily with solvents, but those are toxic and I avoid them whenever possible. My current "solvent" of choice is rubbing alcohol (70%), with a small amount of mineral oil, to prevent the formation of dust when rubbing the sculpture. It's not perfect as a smoothing method, it takes a lot of time and repetition. For the rare times i needa really smooth finish, I'll use a strong solvent, and apply it outdoors.
A tool I cannot sculpt oil-based clay without is the alcohol torch, by Buffalo. And despite some instructions warning us to use only 100% ethyl alcohol, I've always used Methyl Hydrate with success. It is easily found in hardware stores, and is much more affordable.
Because of its wax content, this type of clay can be made temporarily firmer by freezing it. It will retain the cold for a while, and the harder surface can be smoothed and detailed with further fine control. I sue this to detail eyelids and final textures.  My favorite clay these days: Monster Clay , by Monster Makers. It melts easily in the microwave oven and in the crock pot, it shapes wonderfully well, and is not tacky against fingers or tools. The smell is faint and pleasant, and the light brown color reveals details easily, and looks good on photographs.
The clays I used and liked previously: Chavant NSP Soft(tan color), and Prima Plastalina.

An old model made from Monster Clay, melting in a crock pot.

In short:
Waterbased Clay
Advantages: Sculpts fast, smooths fast and perfectly, is reusable, can be fired as a permanent ceramic sculpture.
Disadvantages: messy, dusty, dries and cracks.


Oil-based Clay
Advantages: sculpts relatively fast, does not dry, firm and stable at comfortable room temperature, can be worked in a harder state if frozen, is reusable. Disadvantages: takes more time and effort to smooth, and requires a mold to be made to make a reproduction as a permanent sculpture.

Monster Clay sculpt, with wood eyes and teeth. Teeth will be removed for mold making step.

Stew of Abundance!

Comfort in beautiful edible form!

I made a new batch of stew tonight, and it's so satisfying I just had to share!

As usual, I don't have precise quantities, because I eyeball everything with my gut feelings and with input from the inner puppet voices. But You'll have a close enough of an approximation to make the same kind of good stuff!

Why do I share recipes on my laboratory blog? Well, as working artists, we're all very busy, and having delicious food doesn't mean having to eat out all the time, or sacrifice the taste when we cook it ourselves with very little time!  My recipes are easy and fast.


You'll need the regular kitchen equipment, plus these specifics:
A big pot with a thick bottom.  I use my Pressure cooker.
A big pan
A steamer, or some other means to steam veggies

Ingredients
500 grams of red kidney beans, soaked overnight, rinsed, then pressure cooked until soft.
Three cups of diced carrots
Three bell peppers, diced (I like to use three different colors).
Three big cloves of garlic, chopped finely.
One big red onion, diced.
A small broccoli
Approximately 500 grams of mushrooms (one package), washed and sliced.
Two cups of finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley

A splash of Apple Cider Vinegar
Sea Salt (fine)
One teaspoon of Black Pepper (or a mix of peppercorns)
One teaspoon of Turmeric
One teaspoon of Oregano
A squirt of tomato ketchup
A squirt of hot sauce (I used Sriracha)

Water

Directions:
I keep half the water from cooking the beans as part of my broth.
I add the chopped bell peppers to the beans, which are still hot and the stove top is at low heat, to simmer.
I steam cook the carrots separately until soft, but not mushy, then I add them to the beans.
I steam cook the Broccoli in the same way, and add it to the same exact beans.

I cook the garlic, parsley, onions and mushrooms in a large pan with some sunflower oil, a low heat until the onions are translucent. Then I add those to the ever-evolving beans as well!

I then add enough water as needed for the concentration I need.
I may simmer for maybe 5 minutes, but after that, I turn off the heat and leave on the same burner, to benefit from the remaining heat.

Then I add the spices, to taste. The quantities above are approximate, it depends on the overall taste of the batch being made.

I usually eat a big mug or two of this soup as soon as it has been spiced.
Then I  leave the rest of the soup there until it's cooled enough to be placed in the refrigerator.

This provides the blending of flavors, and it's even better when heated the next day.

In the summer I'd place a cloth over the pot to prevent insects from using it as a pool.


This stuff is so good I can eat it twice a day for a week!

It's so easy this could be a good activity with kids. They can help make it, and will be more likely to want to eat it, with pride! Same goes for roommates who claim they can't cook!


Enjoy!

Rasp Berrymonade!

In the line of quick recipes for the busy artist...


All you need is raspberries, lemons, cold water, and maple syrup (or other sweeteners) to make a fantastic Raspberry Lemonade that refreshes and delights the senses!

For one regular sized pitcher of water, I use the juice of two lemons (freshly squeezed), two big handfuls of raspberries (mine are usually frozen because they don't spoil that way), and I add just enough water to blend it until liquid in a blender. You may want to filter this into a mesh strainer, to remove the little raspberry seeds, as some people don't like those.

Pour in pitcher, add enough water to fill the rest of the pitcher.
Add maple syrup to sweeten to taste (maybe half a cup?).
If you started with very cold water, or if you replace half the water with ice cubes and stir for 2 minutes, it could be enjoyed RIGHT AWAY!!

Someday, I plan to try adding some herbs, like LAVENDER!


Otherwise, place in the re-fridge-A-rator until cold.
Then, DECIDE YOUR FAITH.


This may seem like an overly simplistic "recipe", hardly worth mentioning, right?
Yet, I find that more people than I like to believe don't have a clue how to make proper lemonade, or any other fruit juice blends, from scratch. I sure didn't, until maybe three years ago, when I really got into the good stuff at proper healthy juice bars, and using my blender to replicate and improve the results at home.

Easy Frosted Windows

As seen in the daylight.

I live on a big avenue, so there are a lot of pedestrians and cars peeking into my workspace when I forget to close the curtains.


I've made my studio more private by frosting the windows.

As a bonus, I don't need to use the curtains anymore, and the frosting seems to diffuse and bring more light indoors in the daytime. My plants seem to love it!

I didn't want to use toxic chemicals such as spray can products, so I looked online for some tips. Those articles I saw were asking for supplies I didn't have, so I wondered if I could make it simpler.
I had plenty of acrylic medium, and to make it blurry-frosty, I just gradually mixed in a lot of baby powder (talcum).

I applied it on the clean window with a big but soft brush with synthetic hair, changing the direction of my brush to make sure the pattern would not repeat and look too organized. I applied three coats, and kept patching areas that were a bit too thin, which only showed once they were dry.

The stuff scrapes well with a plastic spatula, so I'm not worried about damaging the windows.

I'm happy with the results, but I'm wondering what it would look like with a color instead of just the white-ish frosting. To avoid redoing it all, I'll just try with a large sheet of transparent colored plastic, when I find some.

For a shadow puppet look, one can place black or other opaque silhouettes directly against the glass, indoors. At night when the indoor lights are on, they would show up well.

It's a bit more dramatic than this at night, with streetlights.

Enlarged to show texture, with some shadows from outside.

Hot Tomato Sandwich

Spicy Onion Mayo + Tomato Sandwich = EDIBLE AWESOMENESS!


Another very quick meal for the artist on the go. Also good when we don't feel like preparing complicated meals, but yet we don't want to sacrifice TASTE and grunt-worthy appreciation.

Just mix some finely chopped onions (raw) into some mayo (or veggie substitute), add hot sauce (I like a chipotle hot sauce), a splash of maple syrup, some salt, black pepper, & lots of paprika.

This sauce is amazing as a dip for veggies or fries, or as a special sauce for burgers or hot dogs.

Healthier fries: sweet potato fries cooked in the oven, instead of fried.

Takes longer and the fries are more soggy, but it's yummy!

 

The tomato sandwich need not be complicated: just spread this spicy mayo generously on both slices of toasted bread, add a layer of thick tomato slices and a leaf or two of lettuce, then close the sandwich, and EAT! It's drippy and messy, so use a large plate and have some towels handy.

The sauce can last at least a week in the refrigerator, but I've never been able to see how much longer it could keep, as I eat it quickly.  

Chipotle Hot Sauce:

I buy a can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (brand La Costena, from Texas), and liquify in the blender with enough lime juice to make it liquid enough to be funneled into a glass bottle I like to keep it in.  I could make my sauce from the peppers and separate ingredients, but I don't find chipotles in my local stores.  If the store is out of limes, I use rice vinegar instead. Not as good, but it works.

Free Sculpting Tutorials & backstage

Pumpkin Sculpt by Ray Villafane

Some of my favorite sculpting artists take the time to share with the world.

This list will grow as I remember or get exposed to more tutorials and sites that I can wholeheartedly recommend.  A trend that I noticed and partake in: Facebook pages are being used by artists to showcase their works, and quite often, they include work in progress shots, and answer people's questions. 

FREE SCULPTING TUTORIALS

http://www.absculpture.com/tutorials.htm

Sculpt by Andy Berghotlz

BEHIND THE SCENES & WORKS IN PROGRESS

https://www.facebook.com/adambeanesculptor

https://www.facebook.com/Ray.MasterofPumpkins

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andy-Bergholtz-Sculpture/251052568242450

http://philippefaraut.com/video.html