Where do you usually create? Do you have a separate studio or workspace?
Some artists prefer having a separate space to work in while others like having their studio or workspace at home or very close by. As with pretty much everything, it’s super personal and all depends on what makes sense for you.
This is the first office space I’ve ever had outside of my house. For ages it was the dining room table and then I got a room at my house once, but that quickly turned into a nursery when we had our first kid. And then we did an addition to our house and for about two years I actually had an office space in the garage.
My work space was always at home which was easier. Now I have a mortgage and rent on a separate space, so I’ve got to be on top of things and always make sure I have money every month to pay.
For the first couple of years I was working at home. I had a little studio space up in my attic. It worked great at that time and was perfect because it wasn’t an additional cost.
But after about two years it wasn’t an inspiring space. I don’t think I took into account how important it is to walk into an area and be inspired, whether it’s by what’s on the walls or who you’re talking to. It was too hot in the summer, it was really cold in the winter.
It was just a bad space and I started to resent working in it and I didn’t really realize it. I was becoming less productive and not doing work that I was proud of.
Then this studio space came together and being around people that I can bounce ideas off of, ask questions about pricing and feed each other work has been a game changer.
It’s like 280 bucks a month per person so it’s really reasonable. Most places in Denver are substantially more. We Work is $500 or something for a floating desk. You don’t even get the same space every day.
This is the best deal that I could have imagined and the location [in RiNo] is incredible. Great walkability to everything. I mean, the gym I climb at is directly across the street. So it’s perfect.
So yeah, I think it’s so important to get out of your own space and your own mind and interact with people just to kind of make you feel like a human again.
Jon: I definitely think it’s healthy to know when to shut it off at night, you know? I think we really benefit from not having a live/work studio so that when we go home, we’re able leave work behind at the art studio. It’s pretty healthy for us.
[I work mainly at home] at my desk. And I have a full easel and a roll sheet that I put out for paint so I’ll paint right here on my easel. But sometimes I sketch at the coffee shop just to get out of this space. [I like having] a legitimate space rather than out of my garage. Not to mention the ability to have room to wiggle around, move, create and inspire creativity. It’s much better in a place like this than at my house, to have some home-life-work separation. I felt that was important too, giving myself somewhere to go and focus 9 to 5 – even though I’m not here 9 to 5, but you know.I don’t have enough room for [all my supplies at home]. And I probably spend more time here [in my studio] than at home. It would be nice if I owned the place, though, so I wouldn’t have to pay rent for so long.
But I like leaving the house. I ride my bike, I only live two miles away. It’s an easy bike ride, it’s flat. I just come in here and make a mess. It’s pretty awesome. . . . you can just close up and leave for the day. But sometimes it’s difficult to leave. That’s a problem working for yourself. Just doing your hours and leaving when you’re done working.