Sound of Silence in the Studio

Disappearing Andalucía 2 - © Cherry Jeffs 2011
30 x 40cm Mixed-media on mounted masonite

What we listen to in the studio can have a profound effect on what and how we create.

I share the three modes of listening that accompany my studio practice.

3 modes of listening in the studio

1. When I need to get a painting moving, I listen to my favourites playlist on my iPod via a chunky set of speakers.
2. When I've got mundane stuff to do or I want to 'trick' my Inner Critic into going to sleep so I can experiment, I listen to a podcast on topic related to art or art business.
3. When I need to go deep into myself, I prefer the 'sound of silence'. 

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The sound of silence in my studio

In my studio 'silence' means the friendly sound of birds chirping in their nests on my roof accompanied by a background hum of the street's occupants going about their business: The 'ching' of the old-fashioned till belonging to the 'panadero' (baker) opposite; my neighbours chatting in the street below; the wheels of a child's school bag dragging along the pavement. 

Occasionally, I get to hear a special sound that I associate with 'disappearing Spain' such as the tune of the knife-grinder here. I try to record these for posterity for who knows how much longer they will survive?

Comment: What do you listen to in the studio?