Lock Tile Blog

A She Shed for a Budding Artist

ByAllen Czermak

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For a woman, creativity can be the panacea for many different ills that plague our generation. Many of us are caught up in our speedy and superficial way of living. Whether you may be a writer, a gardener or an artist, there is something so meaningful when our ingenuity is expressed through our G-D given talents. It’s challenging to admit sometimes that we are actually capable of being called a creator of original innovations. Each and every one of us has a unique place in this world and it is our responsibility to ourselves to find our passion. The enthusiasm of artistry for example, can combat fatigue, depression, and even physical ailments. When a woman is in the realm of her imagination, her fears and problems can be put to the side when she is the creator of art.

Today even baking has taken on a creativity that has not been seen before. For example, the time and patience that sourdough bread is made by busy women looking for mindfulness, is so impressive in women of this day and age. No matter how busy a sourdough baker is, she will find the time to stretch and pull her dough over and over again until it is just perfect.

Some novice women have become master cake decorators to a point where no one would believe that their work of art is actually edible. Or the gutsy writer who cannot go a day without writing. Crafting has become as important as eating if not more important to some women. Experimenting with new creative techniques no matter what the medium of expression brings new vitality to our lives.

As a creative writer, a woman needs a private area in her home to best use her brain power to create her stories or articles. Other than her computer, desk, and wastebasket there is not that much more that she needs in her home even if it’s on the smaller side to fulfill her creativity. The main expressive point is in her mind itself to be explored and find endless possibilities in the written word. With a budding artist, the hobby is more expensive. The attempt to create an artist’s space is what we are going to write about here. How can one succeed in establishing a home art studio either in a room in the home or a separate shed in the backyard? Some women are fortunate enough to have an extra room in their home that they can be transformed into a studio. This could be the extra bedroom that becomes available after an adult child moves out or one woman even transformed her unused dining area to her ideal art studio.

When an artist enters her studio, she wants to be surrounded by walls, floors and paraphernalia that are conducive to her spontaneity and creativity. Each person will want to use her own unique designs to fulfill their expectations of wonderful dreamscapes. The colors and textures used to decorate their studio would depend on the size of the room or shed, the number of windows and light coming through and the type of paints being chosen. Some women are watercolor artists, some use acrylics, and other oils.

The most abusable part of the room or shed would be the floor of the art studio. Of course, if you already have a satisfactory floor in your new studio then you will probably keep it. If you are the type of artist that loves the dribs and drabs of the different paint colors on your floor, then you are ready to start painting in the room as is.

However, if you are willing to spend a few dollars on a new floor you will be gaining much practically in the long run. The right floor can make your studio pleasurable but the wrong one can have long lasting implications if not thought out well first.

Lynn Edwards and her husband were experienced in renovating their own home themselves and were excited to build a free-standing art studio on their property while remaining on a reasonable budget. Lynn’s most common mode of paint is acrylic which uses lots of water. She needed a moisture resistant floor that would be easy to clean and affordable at the same time. She was overwhelmed by the many choices open to her. Two possibilities were immediately vetoed by both Lynn and her husband. Those were wood floors and carpets. Some manufacturers of wood laminates believe that their products are water resistant, however, laminate will swell if water seeps between the seams of the planks. Carpet was ruled out immediately and is not suggested for any art or jewelry studio since it’s impossible to clean when paints get spilled or small beads get stuck in your vacuum cleaner.

Lynn realized that she wanted to get some type of snap together flooring that she and her husband could install together. She was discouraged from using a sheet vinyl floor since it’s too heavy for them to install by themselves. One funny consideration she mentioned to her husband is that although she wants a floor that she likes she doesn’t want a floor that she loves. She does not want to become aggravated if it gets damaged by her love of painting. Painting is her relaxation, and she wants to keep it that way. She was told, “If the floor’s too precious, your work may suffer!”.

A great idea for an artist studio flooring is interlocking floor tiles. These tiles come in an array of colors and textures and Lynn is sure to find one that would fit her taste, budget and be practical as well.

An artist’s studio needs as much light as possible. So, unless you have an abundance of windows a lighter color flooring is recommended. A dark floor absorbs light, and a light floor will reflect whatever light comes into the studio. Light colors such as subdued greys, beiges and whites will reflect any light that is already coming into the studio. If the room is small, a light-colored floor will give an expanded look as well.

Another consideration for the artist’s choice for their studio is if they are utilizing the studio only for themselves or in addition to painting on their own, they give lessons and may even have professional showings. If the artist holds social gatherings in their studio and potential female buyers come in high heels, the floor must be strong enough to take the abuse of a stiletto heel. I can tell you personally that when I built my home and had a beautiful wooden mini herringbone pattern floor installed sooner than later, I began to see heel marks all over the floors.

If you are an art teacher, you will have to deal with times of inclement weather. This means you should make sure that your floor will be able to take water traffic and not be too slippery. Interlocking floor tiles have patterns on each to make them less slippery.

Interlocking floor tiles are removable when necessary and do not require any adhesive to install. This is advantageous in case a tile needs to be replaced because of an oil painter who has splashed their paints onto the tiles. Most paints can be removed easily from interlocking floor tiles as they are completely and easily washable. However, there could possibly be an instance where the paint has permanently settled on one or two of the tiles. A purchaser of any tiles should always purchase extra for such unforeseen circumstances.

Final Words

It is so wonderful when a creative woman finally gives herself the gift of an artist studio. It could be one room in her home or a separate entity on her property if possible. The main objective is that it is hers alone. It is not only a place where she can relax and unwind after a day at the office or a rough day with the kids. It’s a positive destination where she can slow down and create her unique place in this world. A woman’s talent is hers alone and even if she draws her ideas from other artists, eventually she will capture her own individuality. The opportunities are endless in how she will use her creativity. Her paintings can become treasures in her own home or a display to be exhibited and sold to appreciative buyers. She may decide to give art lessons either to make extra money or just because she loves to share her talents and ideas.

Each creative woman will use her talents in her own unique way, and this extends to the decorating of her own unique studio. Lots of light coming in through windows or other light sources blended with the right vinyl tiles such as interlocking floor tiles will create a venue that she will look forward to visiting as often as she can, whether she uses oil, acrylics, watercolors or all three. We hope this article will give you budding artists the impetus to design your own studio and then there is no limit to where you can go and grow.

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