Reflecting on My Art Studio, Old and New

Each studio I’ve had over the years has been a very different space. They’ve all had their own unique features and characteristics as well as something I really liked. This is even true about my first studio, which was in an old apartment building. One day, my studio got rained on after the water pipes froze and burst in the unit on the third floor above me.

I am already loving my latest studio because I have a beautiful country view outside my window, which will be bigger and brighter after the new window is installed. Another thing I like is that the building is set back from the road, making it feel private and peaceful.

I also appreciate that my new studio has a door and is a separate room from the rest of the house. I can close the door to signal that my office is now closed. It gives me a sense of separation between work and life. And sometimes, it is just nice to know I can close that door and not have anyone, including me, catch a glimpse at my sometimes-messy desk.

Because I am still in the process of renovating the new studio, I have lots of boxes that are still packed up. This can be a little frustrating, but I know I will be thankful when my dedicated art studio space is ready.

When work really gets started on my window, I will need to move out to the dining room table for a while. I am hoping by then to have my newest miniature art pieces completed, since it will be much more difficult to do miniature art at the table. I need a lot of bright light for those!

A ‘Window’ Into My Studio Renovations

I started telling you all about my new studio space after recently moving. Renovations are still underway, and I wanted to share more about what I have planned as well as some things I learned about creating a workspace that is just right.

I am waiting to have a large bay window installed in my studio, which will be wonderful light. When I first had my desk set up in the studio, I placed it facing the window that I am opening into the bay window eventually. After a few days, I quickly realized that wasn’t the right spot and shifted everything around. It took me a couple of tries as I kept moving my desk until I decided which location felt most comfortable.

I definitely would recommend setting up your studio and testing a few different configurations to see what really feels best. Live with the desk in its new location for a couple of days to see if that is the correct placement. Is the light coming in the room at a good spot? Or do you prefer your desk in a different part of the room? It is easier to move everything around before everything gets unpacked!

I did figure out one neat way of utilizing my large, 48-inch by 36-inch drafting table. I use the one side of the drafting table to do my paper sculpting and painting. Before, the other half of the desk wasn’t used and quickly become a space where loose, miscellaneous papers piled up into a messy stack.

This time I set the other side of the table up for my computer work. I don’t know why I never thought of this before! It seems like such an obvious solution. I was very close to sawing off the back half of the desk to give me more space in my studio since it is a bit smaller room than my previous one. I am so thankful I didn’t do that!

Now I can keep my computer on the other half of the table, which is so convenient. I don’t have to clear my desktop off just to use my computer — I always have a clean space for it in order to work on the business side of things. Somehow, I even had an extra comfy office chair that I can keep on both sides of the drafting table.

Or should I say… Now my cat Molly and I both have a nice, comfy desk chair available!

Since I finally decided where I want to keep the desk in my studio, I was able to have my monitor installed on the wall. After using my small desktop computer for months, I forgot just how big my monitor screen is and how nice it is to use for reference material.

The spot where I mounted the screen is on the wall but over the middle of my desk. That allows me to turn the monitor to whichever side of the desk that I am working on. When I am working on my computer, I can turn the monitor to face me. I can then have the monitor with my reference photos up on the screen, facing my workspace where I can paint and sculpt.

Settling Into a Brand-New Art Studio

I recently relocated to Pennsylvania. Moving is usually a bit stressful. When you have a home-based business, such as an art studio, it adds additional stressors to the situation, or at least this has been my experience when moving.

After this move, I had to decide what supplies I would need right away to keep working. I plan on doing renovations in the studio. Many of my art supplies and reference books will need to be stored until after the renovations are complete. Therefore, I had to think through the resources I would want to have close at hand in the meantime. Right away, I knew I at least needed:

• Paint brushes

• Paints

• Scissors

• Glue

• And of course, paper

Then I had to think ahead about the art shows that I want to participate in. What type of paper sculptures do I hope to complete for upcoming shows? Next I had to think about what reference materials I may need to complete those sculptures. Will I be framing the art, or will it be free-standing and placed under domes? I will need to keep those frames and domes nearby.

I also have finished, framed art that I need to keep track of. In an art business, things are always moving and shifting. Framed pieces need to be shipped to gallery shows or to a customer. If entering juried shows, those deadlines need to be tracked and I need to keep an eye on where my art is being shipped, sold, and sent out to clients.

With all my planning aside, several renovations have already occurred in my studio. First, the old paneling in the room was taken down and replaced with fresh dry wall. The rug was removed, and a new subfloor and wood laminate flooring was installed.

One tall and one short shelving unit was set up along with my large drafting table. Normally I have another shelving unit in my studio loaded with all my reference books. The walls in the room still need to be painted, so I don’t want to unpack all my books because it will be too hard to move the shelves if they are loaded up with books.

So, for now, almost all of my reference books and sketch books are still boxed up. I am discovering this is not all that convenient as I am trying to paper sculpt. I often refer to my sketch books for ideas, so despite all my planning, I still have to dig through various boxes to find what I need. This takes a lot of extra time — but it’s all a work in progress.

Stay tuned for what else I have planned with renovations in my new studio space!