As of this writing, I am working out of my now 8th art studio space since 2016.
Technically, two of those weren't even full rooms: one was a corner of my bedroom at our old house, and then the other at the balcony of our current apartment. When the balcony proved to be inefficient after cramming 5 pieces simultaneously for a show in January, I tried a storage space 5 minutes away. That didn't work either as I needed ventilation and more light.
One day, I was walking over to the laundry center hauling a basket-full of laundry when a lightbulb came on. That day I inquired about a single car garage that the apartment complex rents out. I have a pretty good rapport with the landlord, so I asked her if I could paint the walls and ceilings and turn it into a painting room, to which she graciously said yes.
One thing I learned over the years is that I need a separate space for art. When the military moved us down from Augusta to Pensacola, I was saddened to leave my first rented art studio in Graniteville, SC. I thought I could just use our dining area to work on paintings since we would only be here temporarily. But with two cats, a dog, and two littles? Forget it.
I am grateful that my art business is something I can pack up and take anywhere in the world. After working several months in my Graniteville studio, which was a 30-minute drive (oof!), I discovered that I loved having an art studio that is fully separate from the house.
Challenges
While my garage studio is far from perfect, it is the largest space I have had thus far. I love the white walls that hold both in-progress paintings and finished work to photograph.
The biggest challenge in this space is being uninsulated. In this Florida summer, you can only imagine how hot it gets in here. Thankfully, I have one oscillating fan as well as a heavy duty cooling fan. They are doing the job at keeping me cool enough for morning painting sessions. Also, the summer months don't last forever. One-ish more month to go!
The other challenge is that there is no sink/bathroom. The fix I found is keeping a large dispenser jar with a spigot and filling it up with clean water for painting, and a sludge jar for dumping dirty paint water in. As for the bathroom, I simply ensure I don't gulp down my drinks haha. Worst case, I walk all of two buildings down to my apartment. I just generally don't like leaving the garage open and unattended for too long.
Routine
I like to come in bright and early. 0730 on the dot, every day, Monday through Friday. First I put up light filtering curtains for some privacy, then I turn on both fans, and then don my artist apron.
I paint non-stop until lunch time, and then close up shop. In this heat, I just can't stay all day. I spend the rest of my work day at a coffee shop somewhere and do computer work.
Lessons
Cleaning up my painting station at the end of the day is one of the most important parts of my daily routine. I never skip it. I often think of my future self, and how "tomorrow" me would feel that I cleaned up and set out clean materials for her tomorrow. If I clean nothing else in my studio for the day, I’ll clean my palette and brushes, every time.
The last thing I learned is that I need to be able to work with what I have. Naively, like many when starting out, I chased art studio trends and aesthetics. I'd scroll endlessly on Pinterest or Instagram looking at all these art studios I wanted to recreate or wished I had.
As I have gotten older and eventually turned my art into a full-time endeavor, I have grown out of that superficial thinking. I’ve learned to be grateful for what I have and make it work. I think about functionality more. How could I set my space up to maximize efficiency in my work, that also makes me happy and at peace?
Now I scroll less, and I paint more. After all, it is not the art studio that makes me an artist, it is my art (duh!).
I am so grateful for the art studios I have had over the years that have taught me different things, and in which I have produced many incredible works.
I love my current space--imperfections and all. I know it isn't permanent; I will move again. But right now it is the space where I can take off all the other hats I wear other than the artist, be alone in my own thoughts, hone my skills, and let my creativity flourish. I can't wait to look back on this time in the future and the growth that I have had in here.