Over the years I have created multiple creative environments to work in. Most of them small, some of them big, and all of them memorable. The following is a trip down memory lane of all the studios that led up to the one that will soon be unveiled.

circa 2001 – 2004

“my first studio” — my parents garage
Where it all began. My parents graciously allowed me take up one car area of our 2-car garage to convert into a working space for my creative freedom to run wild. Already mastered at the art of dumpster diving, most of what you see was found except the drafting table and the drum kit (not pictured). It was in this space, that I created some of my first works to ever appear in a gallery.

2005

“empire studio” — 498 Empire St, SJ CA
I lived in downtown San Jose for a breif stint while attending my final years at SJSU. Wanting to live closer to campus and have a place I can call my own, a good friend and I moved into this old office where we shared some of our best and worst times together. I fabricated a studio (not pictured) out of an unused room and converted the front room into the short-lived Empire Gallery. The building itself was crap (to say the least), but it was the coolest bachelor pad around. I have heard rumors that it’s been bulldozed down since our inhabitance due to termites.

2006 – 2007

“studio 13″ — 2111 Mission St, SF CA
Shortly after graduation and long vacation in Hawaii, it was time to settle in to the grind. Upon first moving to San Francisco in 2005, I painted in my studio apartment and slept on a couch. It wasn’t long after that my living conditions were below par and it was time to shell out the money for a more professional work space. It was studio #13 in the shared artist space known as Blue Studios in the Mission District. This felt like my first legit space and I made it work until the odor form my spray paint became an issue to those around me, so it was time to move on.

2008

“66 studio” — 66 Sixth St, SF CA
This place was nuts. After suffering from a shared working space where one has to quietly tip toe around and only listen to music via headphones or feel the wrath of sunday painters, it was relieving to finally take on a private space (I remember cutting wood through a table saw at 3am). The place was entirely built out from scratch — complete with a loft area above and a gallery in the front. Having known the landlord, the price was high but manageable. I held it down for over a year and half, but being located dead center on one of the most depressing streets in SF (6th street), the neighborhood eventually drove me out of there. I mean…the area was nuts, and I don’t care what people say to act cool. You really gotta be down there day in and day out to know what I am talking about.

2009

“junk box studios” — 933 Treat Ave, SF CA
After doing the downtown life and feeling overwhelmed for a bit, I decided I want something humble. I came across this studio space nestled deep within a 2-story warehouse down the street from where I live. It’s one of those building that you walk by and wonder what the heez is going on in there. This place was perfect and the rent was dirt cheap. It was used by a cabinet maker before me and shares the building with screen printers, coffee roasters, and the infamous live-in handyman, Bob. It will be hard to say bye to this place (and its cheap rent), but times are changing and I need to stretch out again.

2009 (temporary)

“the dump studio” — 503 Tunnel Ave, SF CA
As many of you know, I was selected to participate in a 4-month long artist residency where I was given a 2,000 sq ft studio fully equipped with more tools than Bob Vila. I had digging rights at the dump (less than 100 yards away) and a roll-up door that opened into a large outdoor area where I could escape the work load and chill out. The place was a dream and I had never been more inspired in my life. It was a glimpse into a possible future if this whole art thing “works out”. Nothing like the feeling of having a space this large for creative work and I am now motivated more than ever to work hard till I get a place like this…only for reals.

The next studio will be of humble size again, but surrounded by a great community of professional artists and crafts people. I plan to build it out with 100% recycled materials and hopefully it will become a place I can call “home” for a while. Stay tuned!

– E.Otto

Stay close to our updates because we are serious when we say there are so many good things in store. We plan to take things to a whole new level for 2010. Happy New Years everyone…cheers!

Purchase >>

SHOP.SWAP.BOOGIE. invites you to
HOLIDAY TRUNK SHOW
@ poleng lounge, 1751 fulton street, sf
12-4pm, FREE

more info >>

photo of tshirt underwater

our spread in the nov 09 issue of endorphinum, an active lifestyle mag out of europe. View the ezine.

That was a really fun photoshoot; we’ll have to do it again sometime.

: D E N Y