Our seats in the studio were shuffled the very first day of the second semester. Now I sit pretty much opposite to where I used to: the corner desk near the window. A desk I'd chosen after a lot of considerations. First would be its closeness to the window which provided adequate light and a view of the Appalachians in the background. It was always nice to simply gaze out of the window, seeking inspiration sometimes, and differing the current work, at others. It had a closeness to the now called, the big black common table. And also a lack of a neighbor by virtue of being in the corner.
Now, I'm in the row from where our studio begins. The high rise desks and stools separate the freshman from the lower desks and chairs of the upperclassmen. Persons with distinct odors and walking styles pass behind me constantly. Some with a distinct fragrance, others the smell of coffee; with passive walking style or the thud of the heels.
I wonder if my change in location has influenced the work I now produce. Does geography have such powers? Well, in that case, I wouldn't have travelled 12040km to study here if it did not. In any case, I should get back to making a study of the Diebenkorn's 'Ocean Park' series' painting we've been assigned to. It is a highly abstract work influenced by the view form his studio window in Santa Monica. Maybe this time, my view of the people will drive my work, literally and figuratively.