I Leased a Studio!

Well, I did it!  I found a studio space and signed a lease late last week.  I'm scheduled to move in May 1st (Happy May Day!).  The new studio is located in the Lacuna Art Lofts in the Pilsen neighborhood on the south side of Chicago.

The experience of hunting for a studio was a bit surreal.  No matter what I saw, I was unable to imagine what my work day would look like.  Then after some seemed like setbacks after making a decision, I forced myself to sit still.  I didn't look at any additional studios.  I didn't followup with any emails or voicemails regarding a space. 

Then, at the moment I thought I was back to square one (actually I felt I was even further back than that), I received a call, saw a space, and I imagined how it would work.  The images came with little coaxing.  I saw the walls that didn't exist yet, where the door would be, how I would hang the existing art, where I would place the workbench, where I would do my work, how I would store the paintings.  I even saw my new bonsai tree which I had purchased for the new space.

At the lease signing, I was excited but at piece.  Signatures were exchanged and the check slid across the table.  That was it.  Kinda anti climatic given the struggle I made of looking for a studio. 

One interesting thing I noted is that during the searching process, I didn't paint very much.  I was stressed.  I was concerned about schedules, money, getting a new exhibit, etc.  But since the lease signing, I have been painting up a storm or as much as I can given my current space limitations.

I'm still a bit nervous not knowing where the rent will come from each month but then again that is also part of the fun of this adventure.  I am experiencing many feelings at once, triggered by the new studio.  I hope I can capture some of them in my art.  Regardless, I am very grateful to have a studio.

A Frustrating Day

The hunt for a new studio space has proven to be a much bigger ordeal than I could ever have imagined.  For weeks now I have looked at studios across Chicago, north, south, west.  I calculated a budget and double and triple checked the numbers.  I measured out my current space and figured out how much space I needed and then how much space I wanted.  I backed into how my space I can currently afford, somewhere between "need" and "want". 

After weeks of searching and contemplating, I spent the last week debating two studios, apples to oranges comparison just to make things more interesting.  I have now made up my mind 3 times, second guessing myself each time.

So last night, I decided to pull the trigger and sign a lease.  I slept like a baby in spite of my seasonal allergies kicking in.  I was excited with a touch of being anxious.  Finally, I can moved on, or at least I thought.  I spent the morning completing the application, running to the bank and collecting the random pieces of paper needed for the lease signing dance.  I drove out the building which was to be my new work space imagining driving there day in and day out.  I was filled with excitement.  My first studio.  How cool!

Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I found out that the building manager wasn't there and wasn't available for the scheduled meeting.  In addition, the paperwork the application required isn't the paperwork I needed to bring.  My excitement turned to disappointment and then quickly anger.  I felt that my time was wasted and my business wasn't appreciated.  I also wondered if this is indicative of how the building is managed. 

Perhaps I seconded guessed myself too many times and the other studio is where I "should" be.  Time will tell.  I decided to take the afternoon off and not move on the studio today.  I am resisting the urge for a knee jerk reaction.  Although I am impatient and I feel that I am behind schedule, I will end up where I end up when I am suppose to end up there.  I don't want to force it.

I'm still frustrated however.  I thought I was so close.

Yet More Studios to See

The search for a new studio space continues.  Playing fortune teller is not easy.  Not only is this a case of space and budget, but the neighborhood, amenities and how the space feels are also key considerations.  Also, since I work with resin, the fumes force some shared spaces out of consideration.  Bacically, when it comes down to it, there is no perfect space. 

Right now, I'm stuck in paralysis by analysis.  Given that there is not perfect space within my budget, I have to compromise.  This is where being a fortune teller is getting tricky.  I don't know what I don't know.  Having a dedicated art space is new for me.  I'm excited and I expect good things but yet I am unaware of what may lie ahead if I choose one space over another.  Simple lack of experience.  So, all I can do is work with what I know today and move forward.  The best part of a month to month lease is that I can always move if I have to.

I currently work in 250 sq ft.  This includes the area I am using for storage.  Basically my den and guest room.  I have 3 spaces in one building, 350, 400 and 450 sq ft.   Since the cost difference per month is small from the smallest to the medium size studio, I am leaning towards the 400 sq ft space.  I don't know if I will notice the extra 50 sq ft in the larger studio.  Does size matter?

So I have measured and calculated and looked at the checkbook 4 times now.  I'm going to walk away and see if any of the spaces resonated with me.  I'll keep you posted.

More Studios To See

I continue to look for a new studio space. After a while they begin to look a like. Although, I think I found one today that may work well. Or at least, it has potential. Of course, I have to re-evaluate the budget.

I'm also working on the new web site. I can envision what it looks like but it is slow going. This includes a revamp of the blog as well.

And while I'm doing all of this, I'm also writing my first newsletter. One of these days (hopefully soon) it will go out and I can start building my mailing list as well.

Funny. When I have energy and motivation, I can't move fast enough. When I don't, it can all wait for tomorrow.

Studio Hunting

This past week I have been looking for a new studio space. I feel it is time to take my art and business up a notch. Plus I need more space since many of my pieces are becoming larger in scale.

Looking for a studio is nearly a full-time job! And a bit stressful. Of course, like looking for a new apartment or house, no place is perfect, priced right, or in the right neighborhood. So this forces the question, what is it I really want from a studio? What is important?

First, I want more space. Second, I would like the space to be within my budget and lastly, I want to be part of a larger artistic community. So far, the larger spaces are out of my budget (time to rethink the budget)and all those in established art communities are full. So, this is becoming an exercise in predicting the future and/or gambling on what may happen if I go here or go there. Will a community develop? Will I find kindred spirits? Will I find a creative support network to challenge me to grow artistically?

In addition the the community, is the question of will people come to my studio for open studio nights? I suspect the neighborhod will influence that as well.

So, after one week, I have seen seven locations in three different neighborhoods. Two studios stand out. Do I decide now or continue looking? The funny thing is that I know which ever space I select, I will make it work. This feels like a big deal but I am beginning to thing it is only a big deal in my head.

This is like starting a painting. There is no wrong or right way to start and the end product will not resemble the original concept, it is often better. This may be a decision based on gut feelings than on rational decision making.

Time will tell where I end up. Regardless, this is going to be a fantastic experience. I'll post my new address once I get there.