What do you do for short time/sporadic studio space?
For those of you without a permanent studio, what do you do when you’ve
got an idea that needs more space or equipment than your usual workspace
can provide? For example, I’m planning a project really needs a small paint
spray booth for a day or two…more than I can do in an rowhouse basement,
but much less than a monthly studio rental.
It think that Art Making Machine (http://www.artmakingmachine.com/) is a
fantastic idea, but is there anything similar for smaller or more temporary
projects?
I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
I always used my back porch when I wasn’t renting a studio. I have an add-on question for fiber people. Does anyone know where I can dye wool in Philadelphia? Basically need a kitchen set up, a burner plus hood or good ventilation, to use toxic materials.
As far as a spray booth, I have seen many a DIY set up, you can get plastic sheating, staple it to the ceiling, and put bricks on the ground to prevent air from escaping underneath. Two decent box fans and some cheap ductwork can really help to pull the fumes out, but of course, this only works if you have ventilation, and only makes sense to spend the money if you might do it again in the future.
You could also setup something outside with sheets if you have space, but this requires decent weather…
Some places might be able to rent facilities at a daily rate, not quite sure where to direct you on that one though. What are you painting?
Yeah, I could do the DIY thing, but I’d rather not, for several reasons:
mess in the basement
mess outside, where the fumes and overspray get vented (I know one guy who damaged
several cars that were parked outside the shop where he worked when the
vent fan accidently “painted” the cars)
my basement has a gas hot water heater & furnace…open flame + paint fumes = boom
This project is pretty small & simple…a flat metal sheet about 16″ x 32″ and a couple of panels (maybe MDF or foamcore) of the same size. There will be two colors (possibly in multiple coats, possibly also with clear laquer), so an ideal space would have a clean (low-dust) place for the panels to dry between coats. I’ll assemble them later, off-site.
I could probably pay any local autobody shop a few bucks for some use of their space…but one big side-benefit from a shared/occasional-use studio space would be the connection with a community of other people doing art projects.