Studio Space problems

[drthulium]

I need to move to allow for more involved work on art, but studio space is troublesome, especially when starting out as i am.
So to my more established peers, Where did you start with studio space? Where did you look for living space? Painters have it easy, no real noise issues, but my gringding of welds has pissed off my neighbors, something i can certainly understand.
The "artist" loft is now a yuppie dwelling in Southern California, unfortunately!

Nate

[anne (bxl)]

I started sharing with other artists an old paper factory. no heating system (it's freezing here the all winter), a tiny window and located far from home in the countryside, but I was proud of it, because it was my first "artist" place.

Today my studio is an old grocery store, easy access (ground floor), large door, wide windows, high ceiling, efficient heating system and well located. small but perfect.

In the future, I will built a huge studio facing the sea, and a huge appartment with a wide sunny terrace on the top of the studio, right in front I will ask the foundry to get installed..... wouawwww it's great to dream.....

[fritchie]

Dr. T. - I started with a detached garage behind an apartment which rented separately (to someone else, really nice neighbors). From the beginning it was clear I would have to fill gaping cracks in the corners, and get the gas heat activated in winter, but the mosquitoes were unexpected, and required screens on all windows.

The gas heat, which was supposed to be installed but unused, turned out not to be present after all, and I had to get the owner to add electric lines. Electric heat costs about 3 times as mush as gas locally, so I sent the owner half the extra bill, and that was paid after some dispute. It was a lot of work and not very comfortable for the models I need with my figurative work, but it did the job for a year. I found space in an old industrial building the next year, and still am there.

On the side, the local city government began announcing its own communal studio space for artists about in my 2nd or 3rd year, and it now seems it actually might materialize next year, some 9 - 11 years after first plans. Ah, well!

[Araich]

Backyards and spare bedrooms. Then dedicated shared space in an old flour mill, then seperate space, then the good graces of a senior sculptor, then shared space in a falling down house surrounded by industry, to...? yup, I've got the boot. And it's looking pretty grim.
Sydney is in a building boom, with all the old factories being knocked down to make way for 'studio apartments'.
My girlfriend works in the city center, we rent a house 10mins walk from the CBD, but I work 20mins drive out in an ever shrinking industrial/port area.
In a matter of weeks I may well be effectively unemployed. Damn it.

[drthulium]

It sounds about like we all face similar problems with space, even though we are thousands of miles apart!

I have welded in garages, patios, balconies, and recently, the cement walkway in front of my apartment. I have some leads on live/work space in Long Beach, real studio space imagine that...

Painters have it so easy.