Written by Hannah Siner, Photos by Hannah Siner
An artist’s workspace is very important to them. It’s a place for them to be able to create and feel comfortable. It’s a space that allows them to express themselves and work in a peaceful manner. After talking to four different students a lot of them work out of their home. Due to COVID-19 they’ve had to readjust how they work and how they create. Many have had to make a makeshift studio within their own home.
For example, Celeste Melgar, a forth-year painting student from Panama, changed her room into a studio space. Because of the lockdown she couldn’t go out anywhere and she was stuck at home. She had to adapt and create space for painting. While Melgar enjoys working from home, she has also considered an additional studio space. “My old apartment was smaller and I needed more room to work. But, because I had to make that shift during lock down, I realized A. that it was doable and B. I’ve come to enjoy the space,” she said. “Renting space would be easier when I do large paintings but I don’t see the need as much. I now have the space at home. Some people need to get out of the house, they need that extra room to work and be creative. I don’t.”
While originally wanting separation from work and home Melgar is now more comfortable working with what she calls organized chaos. Now, she has a space for her stamps, a spot for her stencils, for her acrylics, for her printmaking, her work-in-progress and her work that is complete. There is a corner of her room where natural light comes in two different directions. When the day goes on, she can just move her easel and have light come in through a different window.
Von Armstrong is a photographer and he works in an analog process. “I like [analog] over digital. Film feels more like I’m painting with the light. I like the hands-on processes. No shade to digital photographers, I just connect better to film,” he said. “I’m ‘figidtal.’ I will shoot on large format or 35mm and then scan and work in lightroom.” COVID-19 has impacted Armstrong’s ability to process and shoot film. He struggled during COVID-19, due to studios being closed and not being able to develop his film himself, instead outsourcing development.
Von prefers to shoot portraits and use natural light. Because of this, he doesn’t really need a studio set up like the average studio lighting photographer might need, but does have a small makeshift set up in his apartment. But, Armstrong can only do so much from home and needs to go into the halls for resources like developing. When we think of studio spaces, we think of where the photographer takes the photo. But it’s more than that, because for Von, and other analog photographers, it’s the process and developing area that is needed as well.
Kelsey Necowitz is a visual effects major in her first year of graduate school. She also had a hard time working during COVID-19 due to the lack of studio space and resources she needed to complete projects. Before COVID-19, Necowitz relied on school resources as a workspace. Up until June, she was working on just a laptop. Now, she has a desktop and can work out of her apartment.
However, some classes still require she use other spaces. “I don’t really go into Monty that often now that have a workspace at home. But, the class I have next, we’re learning how to use a green screen. That project will require me to go in and work in that studio space,” said Necowitz. Not only is using a green screen new for Necowitz but she also gets to go back into a studio space and interact with people on projects again.
As for Diego Arevalo, he is a graphic design major, with a minor in fashion marketing. He can set up a workspace anywhere. Because his work is done through downloading software and sketch books, it allows him to be more flexible with where he works. Arevalo says he often works from home but can be on the move when he needs to collaborate with classmates.
One of the big takes always from these students, was because of COVID-19 many have gotten used to working from home. By not having access to resources and workspaces they found creative ways to work around. With everything opening back up, many are slowly adjusting back. These vital skills learned during the pandemic can carry into the professional work environment. The adjustments students have made show they can work from anywhere, even with unusual circumstances. As long as they can still create work, it doesn’t matter the size of the studio.
