Strawberry Still Life

Oil on Canvas 4x6
Strawberries

Studio Complete

20x24 studio with open loft
I am still doing some research on how I want the walk ways and porch areas to look. Landscaping design may take a little longer.

5x6 bathroom

I may end up buying a cabinet and mirror combo later. I wanted to see what kind of backsplash I may need and how it would look first.

This shot is showing the west end of the studio with a view of the open loft with my daughter. Below the loft are two 4 bulb daylight fluorescent lights and hunter fan that supplies the studio nicely.

This is the north side. I wanted large north windows instead of small upper wall windows. I would rather put a window covering on the window than wish I had more light.

Here is the front of the studio which is facing east. Up in the vaulted area ( not shown) on each side are two track lighting fixtures that supply the shelving area and entry. In this corner are open shelving that measures about 16 inches deep and wraps around the corner. This helps to hold a lot of books, supplies and cuts down on needing more tall shelving. I had them built in a way that I could get doors installed on them if I wanted too. But, I love the ease of just picking off the shelf and not messing with opening a door. I also have a four low rolling type of cabinetry and plastic drawers tubs as well.

The wall color paint is Sherwin Williams Techno Gray ( a calming green and gray mixture ) . The ceiling is from the same scale two shades lighter. I can't remember the name. I am happy with the way the loft windows allow a lot of light into the studio without adding glare. I have plenty of places to paint without direct sunlight. Acting as the general contracter is like juggling and can be stressful. The design and layout I had in mind and modifications during the build went very well.

I need to physically and mentally rest up for the week with a trip to http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/for some treasure hunting. :)

Have a great spring break.

Septic Installation

This is the septic tank dig. Since I live out in the countryside out of city limits I can put a separate system in t0 support my studio. This ended up being way bigger tank than what I had initially asked for. But my septic man said why not get a 600 gallon tank compared to a plastic 300 gallon one for $50 extra. So I said okay. Besides I think the concrete septics are less expensive than the plastic ones and way easier to pump should it ever need to be.



Here is the hole after it was dug. It is common for holes to fill up with water as this one is in damp soil.



Here is the lowering of the septic tank.



By the time the septic was installed the drywall finishing had started.

Cellulose Blown into the walls

Here is a clip of the cellulose being blown into the wall. Cellulose is the ground up paper mixed with chemicals that are supposed to be fire resistant. I hope I never find out.

Happy Valentines Day

Hello again.

On Wednesday the foam insulation man blew the foam in the ceiling. It doubled the cost of the putting this type of insulation in but I am satisfied. Before I chose foam for the ceiling I researched and read up on it. The rating on the foam is the best on the market. It is hot and humid in the summer here and cold and cold in the winter. The foam will allow a tight seal to keep warm or cool air from escaping or entering the studio through the ceiling.

Next the walls will be blown in with the cellose insulation. The reason why I did not have the walls is the cost would have tripled. But, cellulose should do the job very well.

Here is a short video clip when the insulation first begin.





This is the ceiling after the foam has been foam sprayed and trimmed. Next step would be the drywall.

A New Studio

Well, its been almost 5 months since I last posted. This last year has been busy because we moved to the countryside in Arkansas. We live 40 minutes away from Little Rock Arkansas. So far I really like it a lot.

Now, on with the great news. I am having a studio built. Finally after all these years and it will have about 750 square feet of area to set up shop.

I chose my heating and cooling unit first. This was an important part because the studio would need to be built accordingly. So, in December my new unit arrived making the building process more of a reality. The actual construction on my new 20 x 24 ft. artist studio began in December 2008. The siding and brick is now completed along with the electrical line to the main house. The next step is having spray foam insulation in the vaulted ceiling. The walls will have blown in cellulose insulation. I did lots of research on insulation and found spray foam in the ceiling would be more efficient.

My lighting will be 2 4 bulb 4 ft fluorescent T8 with daylight lamps. These lights will be installed under the loft area along with a large ceiling fan. There will be two rows of track lighting one on each side of the vaulted ceiling. I have several plug-in spot lights and an ott light as well that attaches to my easel. In addition to the lights I will have a fluorescent in the loft area and 3 plug-ins. I prefer to paint by natural light and my studio should have plenty of this along with great northern light exposure. In all I have 14 plugs in the wall and one dedicated plug for any future equipment such as a kiln or encaustic heat guns etc.

There is still a lot left to do but I can almost see it completed. Today, I found out I will have to wait an entire week for the foam insulation to be sprayed in. There are not that many foam spray insulators in this part of the country but I am okay with this.

I will probably have laminate flooring installed but have not decided whether it will be light, medium or a dark color laminate. This will come later.

Have a super day.
Pilan

A Landscape in Oil

Oil on Canvas 20x24 This painting was recently awarded an Honorable Mention for this painting in a local artist show.

Granny Smith and Red Delicious Apple Oil Painting

6 1/2 x 9 1/2 Still Life on Fabriano Oil painting paper

This painting is created on Tela Fabriano oil painting paper. I have used Fabriano water color paper and gessoed it then oil painted on it. Those Italians make more than great pasta, they make great artist materials. I'm glad I do not have to gesso wc paper anymore. yeah!