Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you:
I am Sebastian Crow Shoe, from the Piikani First Nation in southern Alberta. I am also a direct descendant of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe.
Your current job:
I am a barista by day, and tattoo artist by night. If I’m not in the people business serving coffee at Starbucks, I am working in my private studio. Creating something from nothing, I permanently mark skin.
In which city are you located:
Though not permanent, I built a little life for myself in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
A word to define what kind of worker you are:
Eager
What tools are essential to your life:
My tattoo machines, my art supplies, my office space, and my canvas’s (dead or alive).
What does your office space look like ?
I’ve been told it looks like a funeral home. I like to try to keep it visually appealing, with dozens of candles and artwork on the wall. The walls are painted red, which allows for the release of peaceful, passionate creativity. It’s built to operate at night, where it’s lit by candle light, taking advantage of the peaceful, quiet sleeping city below, over looking the glow of Ottawa’s sweet skyline. I think I did a good job of using a tiny room to fit all my necessities.
What kind of music do you listen to when you are working ?
My all time favourite musician is Amanda Palmer. Amanda sings, plays piano, plays the ukulele, and writes all of her own songs. If she’s not playing, I usually listen to anything piano or sting related like Beethoven or Concrete Blonde. I like raw, imperfect singing. Music helps me keep a stable work ethic.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I find if I push myself to complete one task after another, without procrastination or over thinking, my work is maximized at the end of the day.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
Be focused, determined, instinctive and impulsive. Become a microscope lens and clean up all the imperfect details you see. Do what feels right, and stop when it doesn’t. Have that end achievement in the back of your mind at all times.
You’re better at your colleges at:
Being myself, of course.
What’s the best advice anyone has given you ?
“Accept the messiness” – Amanda Palmer.
What is your best tips for saving time ?
Prioritize the order of tasks in the most efficient way possible, then you’ll see how much time you’ve made.
What is your routine start and end of day?
I usually start my day early, get all buttoned up for another busy day working at Starbucks. I look forward to coming home after work, settle in my office, and work on whatever projects I have on my list, weather it’s tattoos, drawings, or just playing musical instruments. I try to expand myself with each daily routine, and they are a little different everyday.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
My musical keyboard.