studio for andrea

Lately I've been feeling like I want a seperate studio space. Working at home is convenient but can be difficult because I really need to be alone when I'm working. I don't always get that because my time at home in general is already so limited. Also sometimes it's hard to just be a messy artist at home when I'm constantly trying to keep my living space clean. And finally there is the focus factor. It's just hard to keep focused at home sometimes.

Last night I drove out to Inglewood to check out a studio space. $650 a month (all utilities and internet included) shared with 2 others but my access would be limited to days nights and weekends, no early morning since the other 2 artists live on site. Also I would have to refrain from using certain hazardous materials (like fixative) which wouldn't be too difficult anyway.

Deciding it wouldn't really be such a great deal I went to check it out anyway just for the heck of it. Of course as fate would have it I fell completely in love with the space. It's more than I've ever had to work with and the other artist was lovely.

The space itself is one long room and two other smaller rooms but I have the option of taking down or building up walls and can basically do whatever I want with the space including being a messy artist. The area is pretty cool. Quiet actually and there's even a Home Depot nearby and tons of coffee and food.

I was even told I could share the space with another artist if I wanted and split the cost. Why don't I know more artists? However I did budget it out and figured that I could probably afford it. It would mean making other cut-backs and I would really have to fight for time to actually make propper use of it but I could make it work.

After agonizing over it all night and going back and forth I made the mistake of talking to my mom about it this morning who promptly chastised me for considering wasting $650 on rent. Yikes. The jewish mother guilt tactic.

So here are my options:
-go for the studio and just make it work
-save my money and just keep fighting to work in the 3x3 space in my kitchen
-look for a larger apartment where I can have an entire room as a studio

I don't know but maybe I shouldn't commit to something like this until I'm sure? There are always other things out there but I've never seen a space quite like this. I've already written the email turning it down but I can't bring myself to send it just yet... still feeling to manic about it...