CHAT: studio heat

["George Graham" <georgergraham@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Robin,
My studio is in an old brick building with concrete floors. A single
overhead gas heater did not keep up with the cold, so temperature stayed
just above freezing. I hung heavy heavy construction plastic  from the
ceiling to make a small enclose area to work in, and reduce the area to be
heated.
My stack of old rugs is now spread out to cover the cold concrete, which
also helps my feet and legs. My space is in a corner, so the walls are
covered by plastic as well.
I caution you to not make an airtight survival chamber for obvious reasons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning and suffocation is possible, so you have to have
some fresh air coming in. I made a real effort to keep the heat in and the
cold out, and my space is much more comfortable. 50F is the best I can get
up to, and still allow a little fresh air in. One sheet of plastic really
makes a difference. Adding another plastic wall to create an air space will
help insulate me from the cold even more.
Due to the possibility of  the building I'm in being sold and demolished in
the next couple of years, I didn't want to invest in the construction of
permanent insulated walls. The plastic was  very inexpensive and easy to
hang up.
I'm thinking of painting the plastic orange, and letting people visit my
studio for free.
Hope some of this will help you keep carving through the winter.
George Graham