Editor’s note: In this new series, we ask questions of working artists around Southeast Alaska. To suggest an artist, email maryc.martin@capweek.com.
CCW:Do you have any particular creative routines or habits — favorite spaces to work, times of day, materials you use, music you listen to?
Worl: I split my time between digital design work (product design, contract design work, art digitization) and the other half making things (silver carving, drawing, sculpting, etc). I usually wake up in the morning and work on digital things, and work late afternoon to evenings at our studio. Depending on the type of work, I often listen to electronic music. The hype keeps me moving. If it’s tedious work that doesn’t require my focus I sometimes will have Netflix playing while I work to keep me from getting too bored.
CCW: How much art do you usually get done in a one-day period?
Worl: I can usually get 4-5 small pieces done if it’s replicating something I’ve already made. Otherwise, if it’s something unique or new, it can take one to four days to complete a new piece with a new design. Digital design work really depends on the project; the range is pretty wide.
CCW: What advice have you heard (either directly, from someone you know, or indirectly, from reading or otherwise learning about another artist) that’s been beneficial to you?
Worl: I learned from Robert Davidson that even though Formline design is a “form” art, an art style that has rules, that does not mean that there are boundaries that in any way restrict the possibility for infinite creative exploration within that form.
CCW: How do you balance your creative life with Trickster Company?
Worl: I think the question still kind of applies. I spend a lot of time making products, and though it may be physically creating, I don’t always get to be creative. In the spring, for instance, I take wholesale orders on my jewelry. I end up having to make hundreds of the same piece of jewelry. It can be pretty laborious and not leave much room for creativity. Creativity tends to be between the cracks of the bigger projects, or projects with due dates. As a business that’s just still just getting up and running I try to take what creative time I can but making sure the business is all set is the priority.
CCW: What are you working on now, and when do you hope to finish it?
Worl: I’m working on my wholesale orders for silver. I hope to finish in the next two weeks.
