WORK • Wednesday Routine
RAYVENN SHALEIGHA D’CLARK • artist & digital sculptor • Sculptural Drawings Ltd. & MTArt Agency
Neighbourhood you work and live in: Croydon
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I’m in my home studio, surrounded by multiple computer screens and equally surrounded by animals and plants. It’s early morning, and the world still feels quiet, so I tidy my space and prep for the coming day. I’m a digital sculptor working in a tech space, so I make sure the equipment, primarily my second screen and laptop, are in sync, and my haptic device has recovered from the day before. It is like a second limb at this point, so I do a check-in to ensure my equipment is working is a priority. My three cats are eager to be fed, and my dog Lana, a Standard Poodle, is happy to see me and looking forward to her morning walk.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I check my calendar for the day and take my dog for a walk. I enjoy the crisp mornings, and my walk with my dog is my favourite part of my days in the warmer months. My agenda is full, as I have several commitments at the moment, including several commission bids in the US and the UK, checking emails and creating new artwork.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
My partner is a great cook, and I enjoy everything he cooks for me. I am very lucky, but our go-to spot is Padella in Borough. It’s cheap, cheerful and super tasty. We join the virtual queue on the way there, have a few drinks in the pub nearby, and wait. We recently queued for 45 minutes for L’Entrecote, which was well worth the wait. Last weekend, we spent a wonderful evening with Didi’s Supper Club, a Punjabi-inspired six-course menu in Southeast London with a table of strangers. It was delicious.
Any weekend getaways?
I spent the bank holiday in a cabin in the Welsh Hills at Skirrid Welsh Marches Holiday Cottages. A two-to-three-hour drive, but it was well worth it. It was bliss. A real spot in the middle of nowhere with unrestricted views across fields and the Glyn Valley. I walked for hours and got muddy on the trails daily; Lana was in her element. My phone signal was nonexistent, but I managed to watch Netflix shows the entire weekend.
What was your last great holiday?
I travelled across the Southern states of the US after launching my latest public project in Montgomery, Alabama, titled ‘Black Renaissance’ in the summer of 2024. I was honoured to be commissioned by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) to install three permanent bronze sculptures in the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. My travels began in Montgomery, and I stopped along the way in Atlanta, New Orleans and Texas – I rented a massive Jeep and had so much fun travelling and experiencing true Southern hospitality.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
My Geomagic Touch Haptic Device by 3D Systems. I have a wonderful relationship with a company called OR3D, who are the leading providers and consultants of CAD, 3D scanning, and laser scanning services. In recent months, they have covered my work and my use of the Haptic Device for new creative applications. The device has levelled up my creative practice, enabling me to develop unique, highly customisable artworks for a wide range of applications.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I am a Project Manager for Connecting Stories, a women’s empowerment community that empowers women and young girls to thrive and reach their greatest potential. I am currently helping with their website redevelopment.