dealing with a small apartment

[maleficent]

hi everyone--
i just thought i would see if anyone has any suggestions for an artist with a tiny living space.

i am currently living in new york city, and i have a very small apartment. i would love to continue painting and drawing-- but i find that space always seems to be an issue.

i am the type of painter that works on big canvas, and needs to stretch out and play loud music and do a sort of dance as i paint. but with a small one bedroom place, that i share with my boyfriend, i feel like i dont have the room to do anything.

does anyone have any suggestions on how to cope with a space issue? i have tried to work on small paper, but the smell of the paint in a small inclosed space is also kinda frustruating.....

any opinions, suggestions, etc, would be greatly appreciated.

thanks again, and hello to all

[paintfool]

Welcome to WC! The space problem is a common one! I have a fairly small studio, 12' X 15' and there's a LOT going on in there :D so i've learned that organization is key. I suspect that you have even less space. A lot of people who are limited in thier space hang thier canvas right on a wall, rather than using an easel. You can always attatch something to the wall behind the canvas to angle it somewhat. As for the organization part... a place for everything and everything in its' place. You should probably start with buying some rubbermaid containers for your paints and brushes. Something that you can stick in the closet during non use. A table that attatches to the wall on hinges that can be dropped down when not in use is a thought that comes to mind ( kind of like they have in campers) it should be easy enough to make or if you want you can go to any outlet that sells camper supplies and get one. Another thing that came to mind when reading your post was lighting. I would suggest you get two or more of the free standing lamps with the snake light type of necks. One for your warm lighting and one for your cool (true daylight bulb, or what ever you like) More lamps if you need them. They are inexpensive and can double as reading lights in any room of the house. Carly uses one of those canvas shoe bags (the type that hangs on the back of a door) to store her tubes of paint. I find that the more oganized you are in regards to your supplies, the better off you are, in any sized setting. The biggest problem, it seems to me, is where to store your finished works, especially if they are, as you've said, large. All of the free wall space in my studio is taken up with hanging works, some in progress and some collecting dust. There are quite a few posts in this forum that deal with space issues. Don't forget to go to the previous pages by going to the bottom of this mainpage and looking for the numbers that tell you which page you're on. There is also a feature at the bottom of the page that you can use to go back as many days as you'd like. Good luck! :)
Cheryl

[mame]

If you're compelled to do so, you can paint any where.

I just finished a 5 ft painting in an 8x10 ft bedroom (bed, TV, computer, chair, etc. Floor cloths on floor and wall. Use an old outdoor picnic table bench to lift painting off the floor. Currently working in acrylic in this small space.

Space is relative and making art a matter of priorities.

[SanDL]

I went from working in 800 sq foot studio to working in a closet designed for a washer and dryer (I'm back in a studio12x14 feet)
I stopped working large with stinky stuff to working in watercolor and collage. It wasn't a huge adjustment.

Size isn't what counts. Making the images is what matters. Get back to work.

[Maria Gusta]

This might help someone... If you want to protect carpet, a Home Depot/Do It Center type store sells plastic carpet runners by the yard or foot; 3' by 12' might (should) cost $5 or less; overlap several to get some protection. (If your paint is very liquid - consider sealing the overlaps with waterproof/electrical tape.)

It feels better underfoot and is less hazardous than tarps or room-sized linoleum scraps, which also work.

[maleficent]

thank you everyone for your great suggestions. i am going to look into carpet covering; and the table thats attached to the wall on hinges is a great idea too :)

i found a great shelving unit that has drawers to store stuff, and wheels so i can move it around. i also found a nifty bag that can be hung on a door that has pockets for paints and brushes....

its gonna take a bit of time for me to get organized, but im well on my way. AND i am currently working on an acrylic painting :)

thanks again :cool:

[mame]

Good going and good luck in the "big city"