Lighting Questions

I've read through the posts in this area, and I think I still need some help on my lighting issues. I have to paint mostly at night (I have a full-time day job and two young children). The area I have to paint in is a very poorly lit corner of a living room. I could do either lamps or I can install light fixtures in the ceiling (I have 8' ceilings). I have an electrician friend who owes me some favors so getting them wired wouldn't be a problem, or an expense. I'm not really sure where to start, hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction. Thanks for any help.

[Lon Haverly]

My wife would never let me paint in our living room! I am a bit messy. Living rooms generally don't allow you to bring in flourescent fixtures or floods. But you could possibly use a portable flourescent light in a strategic spot that you could put away when not in use. Perhaps a floor lamp with "reveal" bulbs would work near your easel, and maybe a small table lamp that has a flexible neck for your palette area. The new energy efficient bulbs appear to be like flourescent lights. It doesn't hurt to mix this cooler light with your warmer incandescent (sp) light.