The dream work studio
Austin Kleon’s new work studio
Ever since Austin Kleon shared completing his dream studio, I've been fantasizing about mine.
For New York artists, a stand-alone studio is the holy grail, only surpassed by an apartment with an in-unit washer/dryer and no roommates.
Yves Saint Laurent’s studio space
I’ve attempted to keep a studio space a few times in NYC. (One in Dumbo, and a sublet one in Gowanus.) Both didn’t last very long.
Too inconvenient of a trek. I also had no idea what I wanted to use the space for! So I ended up using it less and less with each passing week.
And in the case of the Gowanus studio, there were no windows. It was extra depressing to work from during NYC winters.
I’m practicing my art again. And my dream of owning a standalone studio space is closer as I reach more financial goals.
Jenna Lyon’s studio when she worked at J.Crew
A few rules for my future dream studio:
Walkable distance - I’ve learned my lesson from my 2 studios in NYC. The more inconvenience the less likely I’m going to use it.
Separate from where I live - There still needs to be some distance between my home and the studio. I’m finding that physical boundaries helps me maintain psychological boundaries between me and my work.
Must have windows - No brainer.
Long tables, ideally adjustable - I always loved the standing height tables we had when I was studying at Parsons. They’re great for long sessions so you’re not hunched over all the time.
Separate digital and analog spaces - I’m stealing this from Austin Kleon:
“I have two desks in my office — one’s “analog” and one’s “digital.” The analog desk has nothing but markers, pens, pencils, paper, and newspaper. Nothing electronic is allowed on the desk — this is how I keep myself off Twitter, etc. This is where most of my work is born. The digital desk has my laptop, my monitor, my scanner, my Wacom tablet, and a MIDI keyboard controller for if I want to record any music. (Like a lot of writers, I’m a wannabe musician.) This is where I edit, publish, etc.”Enough storage so nothing is left out - This has less to do with wanting to make things look pristine all the time. I think there’s some magic in the chaos of most work/art studios. But I’d like to be able to have things organized so this time around so I can find everything I need.
I love this architects use of rolling tool chests to organize things. A bit industrial, but something I’d totally consider.
Casey Neistat’s NYC work studio.
A bit too industrial for me, but I’m envious of the dedicated space to create.
As for what it might look like, I’ll have to save that for a future post.
