blog: looking at studio spaces!!! AHHHH

HI Y'ALL!! Happy Saturday!! The title is correct, yes, I am indeed finally looking at studio spaces to rent╰(*´︶`*)╯My shop has finally outgrown our dining room and since I'm taking it easy this winter, I'd figured it's the perfect time to find and set up a studio space and fill it with all kinds of goodies to sell in the springtime. :D

Sidebar: I want to say it feels really weird to be excited about things right now, what with the bleakness of the political and social landscape in America, and I almost feel guilty for finding things to be joyous about...it gets all twisted in my brain, and I almost think that my being excited about something means I don't really care about what's going on in the world, and I'm trying to just forget it all and detach from reality. 

But the truth of the matter is, I do care! I care deeply! And my finding joy in things does not detract from that. AOC recently made a reference to the quote that "Joy is a radical act." And it is — there are a lot of forces at play right now that are trying their damndest to tear you down, make you feel numb, etc. to strip you of your righteous anger and momentum. But by relishing in joy (video games, exciting career things, even just a really good cup of coffee, whatever), you can be further fueled to fight for and champion the good you want to see in the world. ALSO there's an amazing Gertrude Stein quote that I've been thinking about a lot lately:

“The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote to the emptiness of existence.”

So, I'm trying really hard to say FUCK YOU to the powers at play that want me to give up and wallow in despair and instead am working on the antidote!! Radical joy!! 

OKAY PHEW onward with some studio talk~

I looked at a space yesterday, and a couple more today — I've also sent a couple more emails with tour inquiries, but I won't be seeing those till next week. (I've got all the images in the gallery above, with captions, as I know viewing in-line images on text posts is basically impossible on mobile.)

Here are the main things I'm looking for:

• around 250 sq. ft 
• price ~$700-$800
• decent number of outlets
• wired internet hookup
• easy commute
• good vibes (aka I can see myself happily spending 8 hours a day there)

So! First place I went to was sort of this very rectangular warehouse-y type joint? It was clean and secure, but it felt super stale and completely lacking in charm. The spaces were fine, but again, no charm!! No flavor!!! The price point was good (the most expensive unit she showed me was $635), but the spaces they had available weren't quite big enough. And again, the vibe was really weird and stiff and it didn't feel like a place I wanted to spend my days. :•( So, this whole place is a no for me. 

The second place I went to was a little bit more expensive, but the building was lovely!! Essentially felt like a quiet little, very tidy office building — I wish I had taken pictures of the hallways hahah. It seems like mostly therapists, estheticians, stylists and stuff seem to take up the offices here — I didn't see too many artist business cards out on the tables in the hall. I could be wrong, of course!! This place had three studios for me to look at: 

• $595/mo, 144 sq. ft — definitely too small
• $795/mo, 168 sq. ft — loved the view out the window, still a bit too small
• $995/mo, 255 sq. ft — literally gorgeous and lovely but outta my budget

To be frank, I loved the last unit so much. It's a corner space, with two big lovely windows, and even though the office building is a bit stuffy, I could see myself transforming this space into somewhere I would love to spend my time. Again, the fact that it's outta budget and they require a one-year lease is not ideal, but I'm keeping it high on my list. 

At this point in the day, I chilled out at a cafe between appointments and called my mom — she could tell I was very excited about the too-expensive unit and told me to "keep some ice in my tummy" (a Swedish idiom), and chill out and not jump on anything right away. Since it's a "buyer's market" rn, meaning that not lots of ppl are renting, I have some time to make a decision. 

The last space I viewed today was at this dope kind of worn-in warehouse type building down by Lake Union — I LOOOOVED the vibe of this spot (I described it as "crunchy", it had these little winding staircases and exposed rafters, it was awesome) and the pricing was rad ($625 for a 225 sq. ft space). However, the studio that was available had no windows and no wired internet. :( And, tbh, the space was still a bit small. I really think that 250 sq. ft is ideal for my  budding business needs. 

I've sent an email to one more leasing company that rents out some really lovely older office spaces — like, with arched windows and exposed brick and things. They're almost definitely too expensive but I wanted to have a look anyway cause the listings look so pretty ◕3◕ I'd show you, but all the images are very small and I can't download them >:0

So, the hunt continues!!! I ideally wanna find a studio space like Fran's or Natali Koromoto's ;o; I don't have pics of the latter but it's GORGEOUS (and is also in Brooklyn, naturally)

I'll be sure to keep you posted! And I also want to say that I couldn't even think about getting a studio space if it weren't for y'all's support on here ;u; I'm so overwhelmed and so grateful, and I'm so excited to have a little dedicated space for my work! And also not have my dining room be covered in cardboard boxes anymore, hahah

Love you lots!! Talk soon xx

— Chey