Today I officially acquired a studio separate from my living space. My new art home is in a small space above the Vine Tavern. My friend Jessica is already in residence there, and I'm excited to be her neighbor.






photo courtesy of iowacityalive.com


The previous tenant of my studio was apparently living in the space and was very unkempt. I know this because he abandoned his soiled mattress and soft porn among other things some time ago. The owner offered to cut out the first month's rent if I clean it up myself. I had some spine-shivering memories of long-past college days in which I scraped up my own putrescence in order to move on to the next hovel, so I said thanks, but no thanks until Steve persuaded me to think about the hourly wage the cleaning routine would equate.

Okay, so as soon as I have some free time I am going at that studio with rubber gloves, a gallon of bleach, and a mental command of the path to the dumpster. Alls for a free month in a space that doesn't pass city code for living... but it's perfect for artists!!