Last year I was the proud sole/proprietor of a compact but functional Art Studio that was located in the basement of my home. I could work there at all hours of night or day and produce artwork that ranged from simple drawings to elaborate three dimensional works of art. I had spent the last 8 years building this workplace in hopes of doing what I know best, being creative. It was by no means the perfect place to work but over the years I had managed to equip my studio with just about everything I needed to make it a profitable adventure. I was set up and happy to have reached a point where I could run downstairs with a fresh idea and emerge some time later with a work finished or in progress. Things were really LOOKING GOOD.

In The Wink Of An Eye

It started raining in mid September and to make a long story short ( I have already written those hubs) we experienced a serious flood that left my Art Studio in complete ruin. Most of my equipment was trashed, I lost all of my supplies, all of my works in progress, samples, experiments, actually about 95% of what I had so painstakingly worked for over the past 8 years. That brings me to this hub and how to start an Art Studio from scratch.

Now there is no finished basement to work in as that has since been gutted. There stands an empty space that is currently being repaired in order to stop leaks from cracks around the foundation. I have some of my belongings in boxes and piles, stacked here and there throughout the house. It is crowded and cramped. I also have some home furnishings placed in a storage until we can get the basement in a condition to stay dry and safe from mold and mildew and other unhealthy things like dust and insects.This process is going to take months to complete because now it is the beginning of winter and we will have to wait for Spring to do a lot of the work required.

Yes it does not look like I have much in the way of room but, I still have this never ending urge to be creative. I long to develop my ideas in to functional works of art. I just CAN NOT HELP MYSELF! I could let it drive me crazy, which is mostly what has been happening OR, I could think of a way to keep up my creative process and not let a small mishap stand in the way of my calling.

Where To Start

This Hub By Bruce Elkin covers many thoughts on going for what you want. I strongly suggest reading his ideas on the subject. You can click on the link to see what he has to say.Not willing to let my life circumstance stand in the way of what I know I want to do I will have to start an Art Studio From Scratch. I can not jump in an take off from where I was so I will have to make a plan and work to reach that plan. I will have to make goals and work to reach those goals. The keyword here is work WORK and more work. I decided as I begin this project to share my ideas and thoughts, activities and insights with those of you who might also have an interest in starting an Art Studio. So let's get started.

I was on the phone with my sister a few weeks ago and she was telling me about how good her work was going. She started an ebay store that has taken off in just a few short months and is making her a profitable adventure. She plans to stay with it and suggested that I too, stick with my artwork because, that is what I know best.

She also said that she would be willing to sell my work, did I have anything to sell? That made my desire to create even more compelling. That is when I realized I needed work space. I needed an Art Studio...stick to what you do best..... 

Great advice!

• That is my first suggestion to anyone who is thinking of starting up a business of any kind. You will have a lot less work to do if you work at something you already know.
• Have a plan of actions you will take in order to make your efforts pay off. That does not always mean that the pay be a monetary figure. There are some who would just like to create a work place in order to pursue their hobby as an artist. I am past the hobby point and want to make my studio in to a business that MAKES MONEY.
• research and develop your plan to insure it will work within your means. That means that you should not jump up and spend a bunch of money right off the bat. Make sure you are going to need what you buy to produce the final product you intend to create. Ask friends and relatives for their opinions and do not let there remarks bring you down if something they say sounds negative. Just listen carefully for ideas that will help you get to where you want to go with what you are planning to do.
• Make an outline of your intentions and goals. Write it down and tack it up where it is handy just in case you want to add or subtract from it. Another good reason to post your written outline is to remind you that you have something good you are trying to achieve.

Once you decide what you are going to pursue in the way of a creative craft you should start to consider what amount of time, tools, materials and supplies you will be able to put in to the growth of your Art Studio.This will have an impact on the size of area you will need to work in along with all of the other factors you have been thinking about.

• How much time will you actually spend working in your Art Studio?

This is a big question to consider. The more time you spend working there the more comfortable you will want things to be. That means you have to think about heating, air conditioning, furnishings and so on. I had a radio, coffee pot, telephone, bathroom and many other conveniences that were at hand in my last studio. It may be that in the beginning you will be able to make do with less than your heart desires. I am sure that I will have to do that.

My plan is to grow in to a studio that will fulfill my needs and my desires.

• What tools and equipment are a must to get you started?

The idea here is to try to get by with the least and make the most of it. There are ways to work around large expenditures when you first start out. I have the idea to start very small and work my way in to the craft. I am going to start with a couple of different crafts that I know the most about. I figure this way I can make the best choices when picking up tools and supplies and so on.

My woodburnigs are a good example of what I mean. I have published several hubs about "how to" approach many different aspects of pyrography. Start with the basics, read up on as much as you can and then go for it in a simple way. I intend to have my first work of art sold before I produce it. See that will allow me a cash flow. Cash will allow me to purchase what I need to get started and I can build on that, at least that is my plan.

• What materials and supplies will you need to make a finished product?

This is a part that I know I will have a problem with. I have this habit of buying things when I see them at a great price even when I know I will not be using them right away. This habit has got to be curbed when first starting out. The lack of space and limited funds are the two best reasons I can think of. Buy only what you will need at first. When things are up and running smooth you can go for those bargains in order to save future expenditures.

If it is at all possible in your line of crafts, try to buy USED, DISCOUNT, or try RECYCLED items. This can save enormous amounts of money. Check out this link I wrote about using recycled materials for youe creative adventures. There are several ideas that could lighten the burden on your pocketbook.

Now that I have managed to boggle your brain with all the things you should think about before you even start creating that Art Studio....

What will you do next?

Get BUSY is what I say. Do not wait any longer.

• Do what you know, or
• Do your research on what craft or art you will undertake.
• Define exactly what you want to achieve with your Art Studio
• Consider the elements you will need to get going.
• Put it down in writing. 
• Find a place to start working. I suggest you start in your home and expand as you outgrow your area.
• Ask your friends and family for their thoughts on what you are planning to do.
• Consider your time and what you want to achieve with your effort.
• Be creative with your decision making.
• Make a commitment to yourself so that you will be successful.
• Keep a watchful eye on your budget.
• Work Work Work!