The convenience and comfort of working from the home cannot be beat, but this advantage does not come without challenges and compromises. In order to have a good space to paint it needs adequate illumination. Natural north light is best. In Alaska we have too much daylight in the summer and not enough in the winter so I need to supplement with artificial light. Finding the best solution can be tricky, incandescent bulbs are too yellow and regular fluorescent tubes are too blue. What works best for me are a series of overhead fluorescent fixtures with 5,000 Kelvin daylight tubes, that simulate natural light. When using a drafting table a clamp on fixture with an adjustable arm is sufficient.
Storage for supplies is always a challenge. Forty years ago I had two work stations custom built that I still use today. Each unit is 4’ long and 3’ deep with laminate counter tops. They can be placed side by side for a 8’ long counter, or in an “L†shape or back to back for a big center island. One unit has flat file drawers for paper and print storage. A portion of the top has a built-in light box. The other cabinet has vertical storage on one half and shelves on the other side with drawers along the top. All the paint, brushes, art equipment and canvases are stored in this unit. I love these old worn counters. Another useful storage area is a bedroom closet, it can be converted by taking out the clothes bar and installing shelving.
Space for a studio easel and drafting table is essential. I use small portable plastic units with slide out drawers that can be purchased in most department store houseware departments, for my portable work stations. I use the top for my palette, brushes, water, rags, etc. and back up supplies go in the drawers. I have found it best to separate the painting area from the office, so my painting studio is a separate room with high ceilings for large canvases.
My office space has grown through the years. At first it consisted of a desk, chair, file cabinet and typewriter. Now I have a huge “L†shaped desk with a computer, a stand with a color printer and scanner, three file cabinets, a copier, another desk with a second computer and laser printer, a stand with the fax, a shredder, my husbands desk for bookkeeping and more file cabinets, the credit card machine, several book shelves, and the newest addition a rather large Epson 3800 Giclee printer. Oh yes, I forgot to include shelving for paper and ink storage, and brochures, etc. Through the years, as our business grew, our need for space expanded exponentially. Today we use two rooms for office space, another room for the studio, a separate room for the gallery/shipping/packing, and a special work room off the garage for framing and art storage. Did I mention the detached heated storage for art related equipment? Our studio/residence is more studio than residence.
More tomorrow,
Gail Niebrugge, professional artist Alaska
