How to Turn Your Garage Into an Art Studio
How to convert a garage into an art studio
If you feel that information technology's time to create your own create space to do what you dear, read on. I'd like to share my story about converting my garage into the art studio of my dreams to help inspire yous to brand your own creative infinite. There'due south nothing wrong with using a corner of a room. I did this for many years. Just if your looking for a larger, more private and adjustable infinite, your garage may exist the perfect selection. Below I list the steps I took to make my dream become a reality also equally highlighting the problems I encountered to help you avoid the same setbacks.
I had been tossing around the thought of creating a serious studio infinite for a long time. The days of cramming my supplies and worktable in a corner of a room were coming to an end. I desired real space to work on big encaustic paintings, teach classes and take my art career to the next level. To give me added motivation, I signed up to participate in a local creative person's tour that required a studio where the public could view artwork.
The idea of an Amish shed was appealing considering of its customization. However, when the quote came in with all of my "must haves", it became clear that this idea was out of reach. The best price in my area was around $18,000 for a 24'x 14′ shed with all the bells and whistles. That toll didn't even include the cost of electricity hook up and installing heating and cooling!
Discouraged near the price tag, a calorie-free bulb went off. Literally. I walked into our double-bay garage, turned on the light, and saw the vision! Sure it needed work; a new coat of paint, a new flooring, a new garage door, a hanging and shelving system and heat/ air workout unit. At least the previous owner had already installed a sink, cabinets, ceiling lights, and 5 windows that gave the space enough natural lighting. It was everything I needed, and more. Yes, it took some time to sell the idea to my husband who wanted to keep it as a garage. I told him that information technology will be MY auto that is stuck out in the snow, only this was a small inconvenience I'd gladly suffer to accept the luxury of my ain artistic space.
Here is a week-by-week run down describing what was done to convert the garage to an art studio to give you a better idea of how to plan for the project.
Week One
- Painting contractor visited and submitted his proposal — approximately $4K to lay an epoxy floor; patch, pigment and add molding to the walls for the entire 4-bay garage. I think it's prophylactic to assume, you tin can cutting this price in one-half for a 2-bay garage area.
- Move out all the stuff (TIP: Program this huge task when the weather is dry out. Virginia decided to have a moisture leap and our stuff withal got soaked under tarps!)
Week Two
- Ability launder garages
- Epoxy applied on summit of the concrete flooring (You lot won't be able to use this space for several days to allow the layers to dry.)
Week Three
- Patching, painting, adding floorboards to help make full in the gap between the wall and concrete floor
Week Four
- Receive my awesome work tabular array built by a skillful friend of mine.
- Buy and install shelving (I used Rubbermaid FastTrack arrangement in white. See link below.)
- Purchase and install gallery hanging system (I used STAS Gallery Hanging System. See link beneath.)
Week V
- Buy and install air conditioner (TIP: bank check ahead of time to make certain a dedicated circuit is located close to a window. To add a new circuit can cost up to $500! Using an extension cord is not recommended. I bought the large LG unit of measurement to adequately cool the 425 sq. foot space.)
- Installed a DIY wall easel.
Week Six
- Opening Event!! I scheduled an Open Studio consequence several days before a big local art bout to give patrons a run a risk to preview and buy my piece of work before the show.
Project Photo Gallery
Additional ITEMS TO CONSIDER
HEAT IS AN Effect
Be aware that rut is a major issue when working in a garage. Using a portable radiator heater and a portable infrared heater was not enough to keep warm during Virginia winters. About of the heaters on the market place have an exposed flame and having solvents of any kind near the heater could be dangerous. Since I use solvents all the fourth dimension in my work, I needed a safe selection. I plant that an electric heater worked best for my needs – Fahrenheat FUH Electric Heater for Garage!! It was easy to install on a defended circuit, and the thermostat office keeps the infinite'south temperature above 50 degrees on cold Virginia nights. I sometimes add a small area heater if needed. When researching heaters, make sure to check if they demand a dedicated circuit to work safely before you buy.
LIGHTING IS CRUCIAL
If you are using the studio as a space to create artwork, the correct lighting is crucial. My garage came with five florescent lights that seemed adequate at first. After further research, I learned that it is very of import to accept your lighting equally close to daylight as possible. I saw a huge difference in color representation once I switched the florescent lightbulbs to 5000 lumens (daylight). In that location are abundant articles online about the details of lighting which I recommend you lot take the time to research before investing in an expensive lighting system. I installed Sunco lighting 5000K daylight fixtures. and they piece of work nifty!
GARAGE DOOR FIASCO
This might audio strange, but I experienced a weird current of air vortex one evening during a trigger-happy rain storm in the studio. The gale current of air that had come through a partially opened window created such force that it sucked the garage door in like a tin can and aptitude its railings! Papers were flight everywhere as I rushed to shut the window to stop the mini tornado! Unfortunately, the door was across repair and I had it replaced. The new door is highly insulated and hopefully volition hold during our Virginia storms. I worked with Home Depot to find the perfect doors for my needs.
Exhaust FANS
Every bit I mentioned earlier, I utilize many solvent type materials in creating my encaustic wax paintings. To stay on the safe side, I ordered an exhaust system specially created for encaustic studios. The Vent-A-Smoke Encaustic Fume Extractor from Vent-A-Kiln was easy to install in a window and runs off a normal circuit with no need for a special power source. Now, I don't take to wear a ventilation mask to avert toxic fumes in the studio. This fan is too highly recommended for oil painters as well.
Hither ARE SOME Boosted LINKS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR RENOVATION (Affiliate links)
Even with the pelting and some contractor delays, the process went smoothly and I couldn't be more than pleased with the finished product. Converting a garage can be every bit uncomplicated or as extravagant equally you wish with a little planning and patience. Good luck! I hope this article inspires you to get started.
Feel gratuitous to reach out to me with whatever questions nigh the studio. I'm happy to help you forth your way to creating your perfect creative space!
If you would like to view my encaustic piece of work and learn more than about me, click hither for my website.
Please leave a comment of your experience building a creative infinite. I'd honey to see information technology!
Source: https://annestine.com/news/how-to-transform-a-garage-into-an-art-studio/
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