Pressroom Studio

[Lacey Lewis]

This month, I moved into a new studio space in downtown Kansas City, KS. Until now, I have been working in my living room, and it's been very inconvenient.

The new space is 475 square feet (19' x 25') in a the press room of the old Kansas City Kansan newspaper building. I'm not sure how long the press room has been vacant, but now several other artists and I are moving in.

The top two floors of the building house and architecture firm. On one side of the 1st floor level is the Kaw Valley Arts Association, on the other side of the 1st floor is a photography studio, and then in the middle is the 2 story (basement and 1st floor combined) press room. I think about 10 artists are moving in all together. So far I have met 6 other artists: a mural painter, two portrait/figure artists, an interesting 3D artist, a jewelry artist, and a fiber artist. There will also be another painter, a guy who works in ceramics, and another jewelry artist.

Anyway, below are photos of the front view of the building, and the side view where you can see the lower windows that shine into my space. There is a picture before they converted the space, and a picture from the top of the stairs before I started moving in.

[Lacey Lewis]

There is a red dot on the door, in order to lead people on the Second Friday 'Follow the Dot' art walk.

I have moved enough stuff in, and created enough make-shift items, that I can work in there now. I still want to paint the wall, make a model stand, and fill that canvas/painting holder with new, big canvases.

Unfortunately, the windows face south. However, if anyone here remembers my show tent fiasco, I have a new use for my new tent that I did not use much! I plan to set up the tent in there, as there is plenty of room, and hopefully get together enough dark fabric to cover the top and hang from the sides as needed to control light.

The chain link fencing: I was, of course, a little turned off by this at first, but the rent is really, really cheap. The people renting it out wanted the fencing in order to let the air from the new heating/air conditioning system flow through, and that is a really nice thing to have in KC in the summer. I figure I can use fabric and such when I need the background or privacy.

[Lacey Lewis]

...

[Michael Georges]

Nice high windows! I wonder if you might cover your window with a white fabric to even out the light a bit better for model work?

[Lacey Lewis]

Yes, Michael, those windows are nice and high, I love it. Maybe a white cloth would do the trick, I am also thinking the tent, a panel to block light, etc., might work. As I experiment with ideas, hopefully I will get a good idea of how to control the light in the space. Luckily, so far I have been the only one working in there or the other person present hasn't minded if I turn off the many overhead lights. So, the tent will also come in handy for if there's someone in there who insists on having the artificial light... but it's very bright in there anyway!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Lacey, thanks for sharing these pictures of your new studio space. I can't imagine how you worked in your living room for so long, but it must feel good to finally have a space of your own.

[Linda Brandon]

Lacey, I am so happy for you! This place looks terrific. Lots of room to spread out, make a mess, hang things around - I predict your productivity will take off like a rocket. What a wonderful working area!

[Lacey Lewis]

Thanks, Alex and Linda.

Yes, I hope to produce more work now, especially more work from life now that I can actually fit the canvas, supplies, and a model in the same space. Now I just need to spend more time there and less time teaching!