The Studio (posted at Jaeda's Artists' Cafe 10/13/99)

The next room over is a studio. I used to have a bigger one, and people used to pay me to make pictures, but when photography failed me (another topic), and I sold all the heavy equipment, it turned back into a pumpkin, and I quit photography.

When photography bit me in the ass again, on February 2nd, 1998, I started making night location pictures because both were available. (I travel on dayjob business, etc. etc.) After being outvoted by my former wife as to who stayed, and who left, housing became pretty imperative. I stayed with friends for a little while, and then found this piece of industrial space sandwiched between a auto shop and a warehouse for ship insulation. A piece of the space has a 12 foot ceiling.

But friends immediately moved in with me. Immediately. Then more friends, then some left, but more came. Most of these have been models I've met somewhere or other. One was a photographer. All great people, but sleeping on the studio floor on air mattresses.

Now they've all gone. I miss them, but have been mollifying my misery by painting it (the studio) white. You'd probably think black if you saw my work.

Monday, I christen it, photographing a model I've worked with before, who recently moved to San Diego - Katherine. I also see if the circuit breakers will all work with the load of tungsten I'll put on them.

I looked at the "artists' lofts" downtown, but they wanted $1 per square foot, with 800 sq. ft. being about the minimum size, so I took the other route and moved to the fringes. I like it here.

Where does everyone else work? Being among the first to the coffee house makes me feel like I'm talking to air.

-Don