Our new feature “Coffee with Clients” pops in on guests in their homes, or in this case, their studio, to catch up and see how they are embracing their space. Colleen Rudolf is a multi-media artist who specializes in sculpture and photography, you will also find her drawings and paintings peppered throughout her studio.
About 5 years ago, Colleen and her Realtor Jeanne Whipple went on a search to find a space that could become her studio. They discovered an incredible raw building on North American Street that checked all the boxes. Colleen has been renovating and revamping over the years, and all her vision, grit and muscle has paid off. Like any true artist, Colleen feels like there is still more to do, but on our visit, we were ready to pack up our paintbrushes and move in as her new studio mates.
What initially started the search for a studio?
I had always been the renter of studio space and was looking to turn that around. I had family and professors continually suggest that I should buy a property. Jeanne was there to give me a push too. At the time we started looking, my living room was actually my studio. It wasn’t sustainable. I needed more space to be able to work my larger sculptures and drawings and was craving a bit more work-life balance. I wanted to be able to go somewhere, focus, work and then close the door to return home.
Were you specifically looking in this area or did you stumble upon it?
I knew I wanted to be North of Girard to keep within the price range I was looking for. It was also important to me to be in a friendly neighborhood and not feel like I was an intruder. In addition to this area, we looked in parts of Port Richmond. One property was actually an old perfume factory which was interesting, but when we found this place its structure of concrete and steel gave assurance that it was a strong choice.
Did something, in particular, seal the deal?
It wasn’t much to look at at first. Pretty much a shell of a building. It was in major disrepair, it had a toilet that wasn’t hooked up to plumbing, and that was just the start. The space, however, was huge. I knew it could be built out to include a rental unit downstairs which was something I was looking for.
This neighborhood had the right vibe. Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design, Lightfast Design + Build, Lynford Woodshop and a few others were here before I came. Since then ML Woodworking set up shop. I rent the downstairs space to Evan Lovette who is an incredible muralist and tattoo artist. When I am working at night I can hear bands practicing in buildings nearby, it really feels like its own little community. We care for the stray cats in the neighborhood together.
What changes have you made over the last 5 years?
So many! One of the biggest projects was connecting to the city sewer. Contractors had to dig out the 70 foot driveway to lay the pipe. I collected the cobblestone out of the debris so that once completed the drive could be reassembled. I made the gate at the end of the drive which was an improvement over the razor wire clad chain link fence that was there. I hadn't ever built a gate and found myself studying hinges and locking mechanisms on any that I passed. I lucked out and the guy I hired to help with installation turned out to be an ironwork guy, so that was a gift. I'm happy with the gate, it's so much easier to use than the old one.
Many times I would end up building what I needed. I wanted specific doors for the garage, but any that I liked were just too expensive, so I ended up making them. That kept happening through the process. I had to take the projects for the space one step at a time otherwise it would be too overwhelming.
Any advice for people looking to take on a raw space?
Get comfortable with negotiating. It is in every aspect of a building like this. Working with contractors and holding your own, not getting taken advantage of. It is the hardest part of the job for me, but with a raw space it’s inevitable.
Be ready to put in the hours. Everything costs money, so I would do a lot of things myself. I cleared out the basement which was a mess, painting, sanding, building doors, anything I felt I could tackle I would. I am lucky to have friends with talent that consulted as well, in addition to their providing continuous emotional support. As I mentioned it’s important to take it piece by piece.
You can find more of Colleen’s work online or in person at the Wolf Conservation Center, and the sculpture walk in Kingsport, TN to name a few. Keep your eyes on her Instagram for updates on the progress of her sculpture for Save the Chimps.
Taking on a new space that has to be renovated means a lot of work. If you are looking for such a project drop us a line or fill out the form below. We’ll help you get started in finding the perfect place to call your own.
