Friday, June 17, 2011

What Do you Listen to While You're Working?

What do you listen to while you're making artwork? Is it music, the TV, the radio, your pet snoring, or maybe silence? I've learned that for me it's often helpful to have something in the background to keep my left brain occupied.

I have a television in my studio. It's placed slightly behind me, not to watch, but to hear. Too often it's tuned to news channels. I find the news compelling during natural disasters, but close to unwatchable during election years. Too often it's too depressing to leave on for very long.

I've recently rediscovered audible books. I've had books on tape in the past and now get books from Audible.com to listen to on a Kindle. I'm currently listening to The Time Traveler's Wife. Even though I've seen the movie version it's fun to hear it read aloud by Fred Berman and Phoebe Strole. Having two voices reading from the two perspectives of the story keeps it fresh and makes it more entertaining. I find it interesting also to notice the words that are chosen; how the words that are describing scenes that I can see in my head as a result of the movie differs from the words that
I'd use - and how the images in my head change as a result of these other words, even though it is the same story. This process reminds me of how large a part choices play in all art forms and how often what is left out may be as important as what is included.

 

12 comments:

Kesha Bruce said...

I'm totally addicted to audible.

I started reading The Time Traveler's Wife, but never finished. Maybe I'll download the audio version nest week.

How is it so far?

Katherine Kean said...

Hi Kesha, It's well done, so it's fun to listen to and cerebral enough to give my mind something to do.
I can see how audible can be addicting!

Palmer said...

Loved the Time Traveler's Wife, and I got it from audible too. I get a credit a month and love reading sometimes with my eyes closed. So relaxing.

Dianne Poinski said...

I have tried it all - audio books, talk radio (really the worst thing to listen to) and my iPod. My new favorite thing to listen to is the streaming broadcast of KOZT radio out of Mendocino. You can listen to it on the computer or with an iphone/iPad app. My studio mates like it as well.

Kathryn Hansen said...

i listen to this american life, the moth and watch movies while i'm drawing...i LOVE stories!!

Katherine Kean said...

Hi Palmer, I agree. It's wonderful to be read to and such a nice break for the eyes.

Katherine Kean said...

Hi Dianne,
That's so great to have found a program that you and your studio mates all like. I know what you mean about talk radio - it doesn't seem like the right format to accompany the work I do.

Katherine Kean said...

Kathryn, Me too, love stories!

Michael Scott said...

Indoors, I am in the habit of listening to Pandora Radio, plug the cel phone into speakers and it sounds great. Outdoors, I like to just listen to the sounds of nature, the wind in the leaves and the birds. The snoring dogs are there no matter in or out :)

Katherine Kean said...

Hi Michael, those sound like great options. I agree too, that outdoors nature provides plenty to listen to and it's lucky to have snoring dogs, inside or out! :)

MagMoment said...

I have to have silence! I find myself following the voice instead of working and have to turn it off.

Katherine Kean said...

I have days like that too sometimes. I guess making artwork calls for something less compelling to listen to.

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