This part of the building is where every single canvas gets painted. I need to contain all the toxic paint vapours I create and extract them safely. I have to wear a breathing mask to minimise the health risks associated with using enamel paints.
As soon as you open a can of oil-based enamel paint you release hydrocarbons (that form when the paint come into contact with oxygen). Breathing in any residual, airborne vapours is dangerous so the handling of my paints is my biggest priority. Therefore, I must make sure that they are dealt with safely.
The semi-circular production booth is where Adrian works, and houses a powerful PC to control the camera systems when we are live broadcasting across the internet. The booth is sound proofed to block out unwanted noise.
When a painting is finished it will get hung on our custom-built hanging rack once it’s cured enough to be moved from being flat. This is a custom-built system that sees each painting hung on a bar with rollers so we can move them along the rails to view anything at any time.
There is also a series of tubes (water drainage pipes actually) that we can roll paintings around, normally when something is too big for the racks. This is also where the fresh rolls of canvas are kept.
We use only the best, sustainably forested, seasoned timber stretcher bars and these are kept on a series of shelves round by the paint room. The studio seems to have consistently even temperature which keeps the bars in prime condition all year round.
The rest of the space is given over to storing the huge array of stuff we need to continue the operation on a daily basis.
“When you open the door you get this instant rush of ‘wow’ as all the colours and shapes hit you like a tidal wave. Such a fascinating place to be and the three hours we had with Ed and Ady flew by. Just brilliant!”
Dubai, UAE
This space is used for the finishing of the paintings. Processes include frame assembly and stretching, final QC inspection, photographing the artworks and packing for clients.
The framing table is a bespoke item and can handle canvases up to 300cm in length; bigger canvases are stretched on the floor on a large piece of carpet.
It’s also where we keep the tools and equipment required for installation days with clients. There’s also a mountain of experimental stuff here too and where everything non-painting happens.
The far corner of the studio is the place where I run Swarez as a business. I have a board to the left of me for the current jobs and enquiries, a couple of monitors and a great view from my windows.
Behind me is a coffee machine, a fridge full of cold drinks and a couple of low slung modular sofas to lounge back on. We’ve tried to make the space work efficiently but also feel comfortable too. That’s something that’s very important when you consider how long we spend here.
I also want the studio to feel nice if you ever come and visit. The whole space should feel homely and connected and we’re constantly modifiying things to make it better for everyone.
