Artsy Advice

What’s Your Studio Soundtrack?

Last week, as I was finishing up a painting a little gift for my niece, I got to thinking about what  we tend to listen to while creating.  For me, my studio soundtrack depends on what I’m working on– for instance, when I work on one of my Feminine Wiles pieces, I tend to prefer classic female voices like Billie Holiday or Edith Piaf.  But if I want to just let loose and experiment, I like to listen to maybe something a little energetic and soulful like Florence + The Machine or Motown.

Soundtrack collage

So tell me, Artsies– what’s your studio soundtrack?

pump up the jams | Are you a high energy creator?  Maybe you like to blast the beats or turn it up to 11?  Rockin’ it old school with some classic rock, 80’s rap or modern girl power totally gets my energy pumping!

What's Your Studio Soundtrack? | artsy forager #art #artists #artstudio #contemporaryart

slow ride, take it easy | Maybe you like a more peaceful soundtrack for your studio?  I know I’ve occasionally asked Mr. F to change the tunes when they’re just a bit too raucous for the mood of what I’m painting.  Classical, slow blues, maybe even just something soft and acoustic help keep the mellow flowing.

What's Your Studio Soundtrack? | artsy forager #art #artists #artstudio #contemporaryart

voices carry | So maybe music isn’t your thing.  Some artists fancy a spoken word soundtrack like audio books or talk radio.  If I choose to nix the music, This American Life or artist interviews on YouTube inspire and keep my interest without being too distracting.

What's Your Studio Soundtrack? | artsy forager #art #artists #artstudio #contemporaryart

sounds of silence | Some artists prefer a more quiet creative space, preferring to work with no sound at all.  Especially if you’re working on something highly intensive, sound can be a little distracting.  So maybe your soundtrack is simple silence.

What's Your Studio Soundtrack? | artsy forager #art #artists #artstudio #contemporaryart

 

Which type of studio soundtrack do you prefer?  Any specific musical artists, types of music or non-music you always have on your studio playlist?  Let’s all share in the comments!

Thanks to Jessica Brilli for providing the beautiful artwork for this post!  My first radio may or may not have been similar to one of these.. See more of Jessica’s work on her website!

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  • Erin McIntosh
    July 10, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    Recently its been the sound of silence (and not S & G) but I do go through phases with music (Andrew Bird, Wye Oak, Yann Tiersen, Hauschka with a little Kylie Minogue thrown in) and sometimes podcasts (Radiolab, New Letters on the Air, or Italian talk radio to work on my language skills).

    • Artsy Forager
      July 10, 2014 at 10:08 AM

      Do you find what you’re listening to influences the work? Or vice versa?

  • m.a. tateishi
    July 10, 2014 at 9:02 PM

    I like it all! I love Canadian indie rock, especially Hey Rosetta! and The Arkells. In fact, I sometimes write lyrics on my painting layers, but they’re never visible at the end (because, copyright violation) When I’m feeling lonely I like to listen to podcasts like Car Talk or CBC Radio 3. And if I’m low energy, I switch my iPod to my top-rated playlist, which gets me bopping in no time. But recently, I’ve had a hankering for Beethoven piano sonatas, so I’ll be interested to see what influence that has on my art.

    • Artsy Forager
      July 11, 2014 at 9:15 AM

      Oh I love knowing that there could be lyrics in your layers!