Studio Space
For many years I have hoped to move. As a child we moved so many times. My M.O. is to stay in one place for a long time. I planned to break that pattern but I've lived in the same place for longer than I'd like to admit.
For years I harped about getting out. It is expensive to move. Now housing in New Your City is crazy. Last year I saw many friends live in Air B&Bs because they couldn't find any apartment.
I've now embarked on a new career as an artist. After 40 years of graphic design, copywriting, and web design, I have an opportunity to make art. Artists need space. I am lucky to have ample space.
This year I am organizing my work space. That entails getting rid of clutter and the junk I bring home. I need to lighten the load if I am ever to get out of here.
Problems persist, Rent has risen twice over the last two years. Today a leak started in the ceiling after a rainstorm. As I focus on making art I find that I need organized space.
I have a digital vision board of who is “The Man I'be Always Wanted to Be”. In it I imagine the life I want to live including my fabulous housing and art studio.
This is a status report on The Man I am Being and a look at my current workspace.
The office
I have a small area with windows that winds from the hallway to the laundry room. There I have a desk for my computers and a standing table that is my art table. In the hallway there are plastic shelves to store supplies.
The living room
I have a free table in the living room that I strive to keep clear. I often need a table to stage work. It is a second space I can set up my easel and draw. I have a projector which I use to sketch out images on canvas to paint.
The Sun Room
The house has an addition attached to the back of the building. This used to be my bedroom. A pipe broke in the basement heating system so there is no longer any heat in winter. The basement also was flooded in hurricane Ida. So I moved upstairs leaving this room free. I have a long table here where I will work with paper and framing. Right now completed artwork is stored on the table. I intend to build an elevated storage area under the table to move the art and clear the table.
The Outdoor Wood Shop
As I continue to paint and draw completed artworks are beginning to pile up. I need to frame art to protect it and for show. Recently a friend loaned a table-top saw to me. I was shopping for a table-top saw and studying which to buy.
My friend showed me where the local lumber yard is. I bought maple wood and I have begun to make picture frames. When I cut wood I bring the saw into the yard to work. Otherwise the saw is stored in the sun room.
The Laundry Room
I use the laundry room for laundry and to wash up. I am thinking that it is a good space to setup a darkroom. I learned B&W photography in college. I will have to get all of the equipment including a camera. I will do the research that I need to do the jump. It is a possibility.
