The Little World

You’ve heard of preaching to the converted? Preaching to an empty church? Well, how about preaching to yourself…Pull up a pew.

I recently sat down and wrote some rules for myself. Rules for my Little Workshop, Little Studio, and Little Office. They are designed to make my life better, though it remains to be seen whether they do so – it also remains to be seen whether I listen and obey me.

I’ll list a few – you can pinch them and repost them if you like. If they help you in your Little World, I will be gratified. No money needed.

a. Work in good light. If your workspace is dim, you’ll be making more mistakes and be at risk of injuring yourself. None of your work will be optimal. IKEA electric lights are not that dear – put one in above the workbench and let it make the job easier.

b. Work at a comfortable temperature. In the case of Western Australia this is between 14º C and 36º C. Below that your fingers hurt and above it you are just too hot to think. Make arrangements to come inside to the warmth or cool of air conditioning. Modelling is portable in small scales.

c. Sit or stand as you like, but standing is good for much of what ails you.

d. Work at a comfortable pace.

You’re not under government contract in wartime. There is no deadline. There is no time and motion inspector hovering. Start when you are enthusiastic and quit when you are tired.

e. Your modelling activity does not earn money. This might seem sad, but it is actually liberating. There is no financial pressure on you to speed up and cut corners and no penalty if you take an extra day to let the paint set.

Beware if someone wants you to monetarize your hobby – you’d gradually lose all pleasure in pure achievement and only feel adequate when you got paid. And it would never be enough to replace the pride of artistic accomplishment. Market your goods if you will, but sell only what you want to sell.

f. Finally – you have a limited budget; realise this and restrict yourself to things that you can reasonably do within it. No hobby is fun if you go hungry or frowsy to support it – then it is a monkey on the back.