Atelier - the workshop (aka: Studio 2)
Not sure if I'd mentioned this before on my other LJ(s), but a few of my friends have had a studio space of their own for a little over a year. It was basically a big open studio in an old warehouse downtown; I admit, I loved hanging out there, when I could get out to see them there. They're all artists -- some paint, some are professional costumers or designers, others do graphic design work -- basically it was a creative workshop where you could do your own thing and no one bothered you. Rent was shared, you had your own designated space to work in, you had friends to socialise / work / collaborate with, and everybody shared their knowledge / experience / tools, happily. It was a great place.
Problem being, it wasn't the greatest building: there were thefts & vandalism, and overall, the place was getting too run-down to be safe (the property management company weren't doing anything to upkeep it -- it was getting outright dangerous.) It was to the point where my friends had to start going to the bathroom down the hall in groups, and they brought pipes with them. The freight elevator had been busted for months, and the broken glass wasn't even being picked up anymore. (Coincidentally, one of the windows in the outer doors to the building had been smashed out the day we moved them out of there, about 2 weekends ago.)
So my friends recently moved their studio and offered me a little spot in the corner of the new space for myself -- which, after I'd thought about it for a while, I took them up on. :D I paid the whole year in advance (I admit, I splurged & took some money out of my TFSA so I could help them secure the space--well worth it), and my little spot is ALL MINE, and I moved my desk, chair, a lamp, a microwave, etc., in all this past weekend. Some friends even helped me transport a mini-fridge there last week (which I bought from Kijiji!), and this past weekend I rented a little U-Haul and bought a $50 leather couch (also from Kijiji! It's an awesome couch!), and have made it as hospitable as I could for now. (Seriously, the couch is big, comfy, black leather, with reinforced footing & only one tear--along a seam--which can easily be sewn up. I couldn't believe it.)
I took all my notes over to Studio 2 tonight, along with boxes of reference material, and sat down to EDIT. It was wonderful. Two friends happened to be there working on their own projects (one girl was setting out a sewing project, the other is an artist currently working on her own writing project), so I had great company. It was nice and quiet and cozy and I finally felt like I could work & relax at the same time. I may bring in my looms, too, and another desk or table, if I can so I can do my own weaving & sewing again. ^_^ I may only be able to go late at night, but it was so nice to GET THINGS DONE without hearing the TV going, or another person's computer blaring, or the kids whining. I could *focus*. Do you know how rarely I get to focus and work uninterrupted? At home--never.
Again, I'm not sure how often I'll make it over, but I am so, so happy to finally have a little corner of my own. : )
We are currently looking for one more person to join us in the space, to make the rent a bit more affordable, but I don't think we're too stressed about that yet. (If you know anyone in KW looking for a creative space like this, send along their resume!) XD
I'm really looking forward to making use of my little space. (^_^)
Problem being, it wasn't the greatest building: there were thefts & vandalism, and overall, the place was getting too run-down to be safe (the property management company weren't doing anything to upkeep it -- it was getting outright dangerous.) It was to the point where my friends had to start going to the bathroom down the hall in groups, and they brought pipes with them. The freight elevator had been busted for months, and the broken glass wasn't even being picked up anymore. (Coincidentally, one of the windows in the outer doors to the building had been smashed out the day we moved them out of there, about 2 weekends ago.)
So my friends recently moved their studio and offered me a little spot in the corner of the new space for myself -- which, after I'd thought about it for a while, I took them up on. :D I paid the whole year in advance (I admit, I splurged & took some money out of my TFSA so I could help them secure the space--well worth it), and my little spot is ALL MINE, and I moved my desk, chair, a lamp, a microwave, etc., in all this past weekend. Some friends even helped me transport a mini-fridge there last week (which I bought from Kijiji!), and this past weekend I rented a little U-Haul and bought a $50 leather couch (also from Kijiji! It's an awesome couch!), and have made it as hospitable as I could for now. (Seriously, the couch is big, comfy, black leather, with reinforced footing & only one tear--along a seam--which can easily be sewn up. I couldn't believe it.)
I took all my notes over to Studio 2 tonight, along with boxes of reference material, and sat down to EDIT. It was wonderful. Two friends happened to be there working on their own projects (one girl was setting out a sewing project, the other is an artist currently working on her own writing project), so I had great company. It was nice and quiet and cozy and I finally felt like I could work & relax at the same time. I may bring in my looms, too, and another desk or table, if I can so I can do my own weaving & sewing again. ^_^ I may only be able to go late at night, but it was so nice to GET THINGS DONE without hearing the TV going, or another person's computer blaring, or the kids whining. I could *focus*. Do you know how rarely I get to focus and work uninterrupted? At home--never.
Again, I'm not sure how often I'll make it over, but I am so, so happy to finally have a little corner of my own. : )
We are currently looking for one more person to join us in the space, to make the rent a bit more affordable, but I don't think we're too stressed about that yet. (If you know anyone in KW looking for a creative space like this, send along their resume!) XD
I'm really looking forward to making use of my little space. (^_^)