Studio. I has one.

Heh. Check this out:



Welcome to Studio Duck.

I signed the papers this morning, thanks to Byrd, who gave me a lift to the studio and back. While we were waiting for stuff to happen, we went into the space and both oohed and aahed for a while.

I've been loath to write about this until the line had been signed, just in case something went wrong. But nothing went wrong, it's all mine for three solid years, at the end of which I'll be able to apply for another three years (the maximum any residency goes for is six years). Woot!

These studios are purpose-built by the ACT Government, and the rent is fantastically cheap, for the express purpose of helping artisans get on their feet, and hopefully letting them get to the point of being able to sustain a commercial rent when the residency expires. Unfortunately Canberra has no cheap areas, no derelict warehouses in proto-cool areas that can be developed as artist spaces, so this complex is it, and artists quite often find themselves floundering at the end of their term. So you can understand how much these studios, based in Dickson, are appreciated. There is another batch in Mitchell that are larger and more industrial (for sculptors and woodies etc), and that's it, I think 40 spaces in all. It would be great to have more of them, especially in South Canberra. The waiting list, as you can imagine, is long, and the tenants like to stay as long as they can.

Anyhoo, aren't I lucky! It's a great space, 48 square metres to play with (we worked out that this is the same size as the living/kitchen/dining area of my house), with high ceilings, good light, gas heating, lots of powerpoints, a sink, three-phase power, and public liability insurance.

Unfortunately, the timing is such that I won't be able to use it until mid-January, so I've given the keys to Byrd and let him have a place to make some big (portable) work for a while. He'll do a few things for me in return like take the boards off the window (the last tenant had a few window breaks, but I'd like to chance it for the nice breeze and light I'll get) and maybe put a little tattoo on the wall for me as a souvenir of his time there.

I've taken photos and made a map, so now it's time to measure all my gear and make a plan, taking into account the way I work and the way I'll move around the room. In January I still won't be lifting things, so I'll initially just move my binding stuff in there and get going with the Dobson edition, and then get the bigger stuff in once I can clean it up a bit before the removalists get involved. My poor press and type are filthy from being in the garage for years, and my big standing press is a touch rusty.

Golly, I'm excited. And tired. That was the most walking I've done yet. Time for a nanna nap... and a deep breath!