Other Artists Around the Studio?

Having other artists around while working in the studio has been pleasant. It's difficult to adjusting to sharing space in the beginning and finding an area where the energy is just right for working. There is something to working in an area where the creative energy flows naturally and unimpeded. Small spaces are not always the most ideal to work in. Smaller work spaces restrict the size of the materials used and compact the artwork itself. Working in larger spaces allow for larger imaginative ideas. Having other artists has it's benefits and inconveniences. Some benefits include having someone around to bounce ideas off of. An idea that sounds good internally may not sound as good when someone else sees or hears it. It's good to have an opinion of your work from someone who sees your work differently. The other artist can give short critiques over the visual elements such as line quality, shape, space, use of color, form and texture. Another artist in the studio can offer suggestions for options on alternate materials to use or the best places to get supplies for the best value. Having someone else in the studio will help guide the direction of the work. Another artist state if the idea of the work is being communicated clearly and if it isn't possible solutions that will help generate a response from viewers. A drawback to having another artist in the studio while working is that some artists like to talk...a lot. Conversation is good and helps stimulate creativity, but too much conversation can be a distraction. Focus is re-directed from the artwork and is placed on other conversational topics that may or may not be related to what is happening in the studio. If you like listening to music while working, this can become a sticking point as well. Some may want to listen to rock or metal while

others prefer jazz or classical. Having other artists in the studio is a plus but it does have its drawbacks. We just have to find a way to balance them.