Studio Rules

I have a little sign in my office. It says, quite simply:

MY OFFICE

MY RULES

I bought it years ago because I thought it was amusing. I sort of liked the authority behind the words, the sense that “this is mine, so don’t bother it.” Truthfully, though, I’ve never had any rules regarding my office. The door has always been open; everyone has always been welcome.

Now, of course, I have not only an office but a studio, and things are definitely different when it comes to setting up a studio — and setting rules for the studio. Most of the “studio rules” involve heath and safety issues, and include a lot of things I’ve never really thought too much about before. Studio safety — and protecting the health of the artist — is really an important concern.

• Just take a glance at the “Art Studio Safety Policy” for the Chicago Art Institute. 
• Or print out the Safety Guide for Art Studios publication offered by Mount Holyoke. 
• At the very least, you’ll want to download the Art and Craft Safety Guide from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The last one — the Art and Craft Safety Guide — is especially valuable, I think, because it deals not only with concerns for adult artists, but important safety tips for working with children.

Concerns in the art studio fall into several distinct categories:

• Toxic materials
• Fire hazards
• Physical hazards

We all know that paints and other art supplies can be toxic and must be handled carefully. Soft pastels can leave particulate dust in the air, breathing in solvents can cause severe health issues, and even getting paints on the skin can be dangerous. It’s recommended to obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet —MSDS — for the products we use in our studios so that we’re aware of any risks involved. It’s a good idea, as well, to have the number for the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) and to know the nearest poison control location.

I’ve eliminated a lot of toxic materials in my studio by switching to water-miscible oils. If you use traditional oil paints, you’ll want to look for solvents and cleaners that are designed with safety in mind. There are several less-toxic products available on the market.

One area I’ve never considered before is proper ventilation. My husband and I have discussed it, and we’ll definitely be setting up a fan or other system.

And another new rule for my studio is that I need to dress in proper “studio attire” when I’m painting. According to David Brody of the University of Washington, we should keep our painting clothes separate from our regular wardrobe, and of course, we should wash them separately — and often.

With the pandemic we’re experiencing, most of us have masks in our home and possibly nitrile gloves, as well. These are highly recommended for art studios, especially for artists painting with soft pastels.

Fire is a definite threat in any art studio, and I’ll admit I’m not always as careful as I should be with my old paint rags. They can spontaneously combust, so it’s good to have proper disposal practices. I’m getting away from paint rags as much as possible, using a “paint towel” instead, and throwing it in the washer often. We’ve also installed a smoke detector, of course.

I’m not giving up my little space heater, though. Needless to say “studio rules” generally prohibit space heaters, but my heater stays in the “office” area, away from any combustible materials. I’m careful to always have it shut off any time I leave the studio. I realize it’s still not the safest thing, so I don’t use it unless I really need it.

Physical hazards are things we might not think about too much, but there are some very real dangers to consider. A good rule for all art studios is “NO FOOD, NO DRINK.” We all know of artists who have accidentally picked up a cup of brush-water instead of their coffee, and maybe we’ve done it ourselves. Needless to say, with the possibility of toxic fumes or particles in the air, it’s probably not good to have food or drink sitting out anyway.

But, I break that rule every day. As with my space heater, I compromise somewhat by keeping my food and drink in the office area — at some distance from my painting area.

Having the studio properly arranged and organized is important, too, because it’s all too easy to trip or slip or carelessly injure ourselves in some other way. It’s hard, though, to keep a studio clean and organized.

Along with all the health and safety rules, I’m also putting rules in place about how I care for my art supplies. Having a dedicated art studio means I don’t necessarily have to pick up and put everything away at the end of the day, but I do make sure brushes are properly washed and set out to dry. Having that huge sink here in the studio is a dream come true!

Each artist will have his or her own specific health and safety concerns depending on the media used in the studio, and while it’s easy to shrug it all off and think, “I don’t need to worry about all of that!” it’s better to be aware of the risks and consider the potential hazards involved in the creation of our art.

Again, this is especially true if we work with children. They are even more susceptible to toxic substances than adults, and their cognitive skills may not be developed enough to understand potential dangers. Please supervise children closely when working on arts and crafts projects. And, above all, keep that poison control number close at hand.

Looking at all the possible dangers can be frightening, but really, it’s common sense. I know I’ve been remiss about health and safety in my studio, but I’m getting better. Having my own art studio requires me to have a responsible attitude, as well.

As with my office, the studio is open to anyone at any time. I want to make my studio not only a fun place to be, but a safe place, as well.