My New Studio

Whoopie!!!! I’ve just completed moving all my art supplies from our dining room, living room, and spare bed room into my newly renovated basement. The first photo is the finished painted concrete floor. I chose to go this route because having had wall to wall in the past it seemed to be the best choice per reference articles on basement studios. Note the reflective quality which aids in keeping the space bright. I’ve opted instead to lay down smaller area rugs for warmth.

The task lighting is using full spectrum light bulbs and the walls are very light grey so as to not cast any colors onto my work.

Read more.

Comments: We love reading about people’s lighting design plans. In this case, as an artist, the writer had quite specialised lighting needs. We’re pleased to see that full-spectrum lighting was able to give them what they needed.

Related articles

• Choose the Perfect Lighting (potterybarn.com)
• Developing a Lighting Plan (smallspacestyle.wordpress.com)
• Bedside Illumination: A Case for Task Lamps (apartmenttherapy.com)

Related posts:

1. How to make your home more inviting

We featured Finnish artist Jan-Erik Andersson in articles twice this past year. Take a moment to check out his work – it is incredibly striking.

Art, light and sound

The most artistic house in the world!

There were two other full-spectrum installations that caught our eye in 2011, so we featured them in our roundups

Parasolstice at Parasol Unit – James Yamada
Just off City Road, in the backyard of Parasol Unit’s vibrant contemporary art space, one can take refuge under a roof of ‘full spectrum light’, unashamedly surrendering to light rays of a therapeutic rather than UV breed. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recognised exposure to such wavelengths as a highly beneficial treatment for SAD. So I put it to the test.

Walk In Light Sculpture to combat winter blues from James Yamada
American artist James Yamada will create a dramatic installation entitled The summer shelter retreats darkly among the trees, the first artwork in Parasolstice – Winter Light; a series of outdoor projects at Parasol Unit. During the darkest months of the year, visitors will be encouraged to enjoy the health benefits of exposure to bright light by sitting inside the sculpture.

Suntrailer
The Suntrailer is a bike-assisted trailer that invites passersby to catch some rays, via full-spectrum light, on cloudy days

And even those who aren’t actively incorporating it into their work, talk about it’s value in creating their art.

Learning To Draw
Make sure you have excellent lighting. If you can’t see you can’t draw. If you do not have a well lit room with natural sunlight to work in, then check your local art supply store or search online for full spectrum lighting products that mimic natural sunlight.

Architectural Color Specialist’s Blog
What is needed to perceive color, which is part of the visual-at least to us-spectrum? Light, an object that reflects it, and an instrument for perceiving it (in our case our eyes and brain). Above all, we need light. Light not only effects our perception of color.

Setting up a Still Life
Lighting is also important. If you want dramatic lighting, you can choose to set up near a window for natural light, or create your own dramatic lighting with the use of lamps and spotlights. Spotlights are especially good for glass or shiny objects as they will “twinkle” in bright light. Spotlights can also cast unwanted shadows, so be careful about placement. You will want to use full spectrum or “daylight” lamps for that purpose

studio constuction-the beginning
There is a great view of the sun setting over the lake but it also allows a lot of sun glare so now I’m figuring out the best artificial lighting. I think I’m going with flourescent lights with full spectrum light bulbs or possibly a combination of regular fluorescents along with day light bulbs.

Home Art Studios, How to Create an Artist, Friendly Work Space
Ideally you can have ample natural light in your home with northern exposure lighting. In case you do not have enough light available, you will have to buy full spectrum lighting in order to have ample light in your workspace. ..

Related posts:

1. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 49)
2. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 51)

PHOTOGRAPHY
Tutorial: Photographing quilts
I am not a professional photographer, but I am convinced that just about anyone can take decent pictures of their own quilts; certainly good enough for documenting your quilts.

HEALTH
Trying to keep SAD from keeping me sad.
I spend at least 30 minutes under a full spectrum light (before the time that the sun usually goes down). I forget where, but I read that having more light helps to elevate one’s mood. It seemed to work well for me last year, so I’ll be repeating it.

Lose the Winter Blues With Essential Oils
The best remedy for SAD is exposure to full spectrum lighting. If you are someone who truly suffers to the extent you are unable to function, it will be worthwhile to look into this. I have full spectrum light bulbs in my lamps at home I got at a health food store and I think they help a lot.

Natural Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Full spectrum light bulbs are prized in the Nordic world for their ability to mimic natural sun light. They are also popular in other places in the world such as Alaska where there is little or no sunlight throughout the winter months.

ART
Parasolstice at Parasol Unit – James Yamada
Just off City Road, in the backyard of Parasol Unit’s vibrant contemporary art space, one can take refuge under a roof of ‘full spectrum light’, unashamedly surrendering to light rays of a therapeutic rather than UV breed. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recognised exposure to such wavelengths as a highly beneficial treatment for SAD. So I put it to the test.

Suntrailer
The Suntrailer is a bike-assisted trailer that invites passersby to catch some rays, via full-spectrum light, on cloudy days

MISCELLANEOUS
Senior Living: Thoughtful gifts are always appreciated
Entertainment items — keep in mind physical limitations such as sight and hearing. Give large print books and crossword puzzles, a full spectrum light lamp, a folding lap table or desk, books on CD, or a headphone designed to receive TV broadcasts. Purchase a CD featuring music from their era.

Yes, you are! Yes, you can!
Those are my punctuated responses to those who say, “Oh, I’m not creative,” or “I could never do that.” Everyone has creativity. It’s our birthright. Here’s how you to connect with your creative side: Pick one. It only takes a minute!

introducing…the new golden motors cd…
Well, we’re down in the bottom of the winter trough here in the Valley–about ten days til the Solstice.  It was too cold to hit the garage studio this last week and for about three days I went without my full spectrum light, which is right here on the countertop blasting me while I doodle, scribble, and strum.  And after going those three days, I felt like I had neoprene wrapped around my brain.  Must highly recommend the light treatment for foggy valley dwellers.

Related posts:

1. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 49)
2. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 17)
3. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 48)

ART
Walk In Light Sculpture to combat winter blues from James Yamada
American artist James Yamada will create a dramatic installation entitled The summer shelter retreats darkly among the trees, the first artwork in Parasolstice – Winter Light; a series of outdoor projects at Parasol Unit. During the darkest months of the year, visitors will be encouraged to enjoy the health benefits of exposure to bright light by sitting inside the sculpture.

HEALTH
Seasonal Affective Disorder: How to minimize it early on
SAD is seasonal problem that affects about 2-5% of Canadians and is 8x more common in women especially in their 20’s and 30’s.  The number of people over 65 suffering from this disorder is lower, with the rate beginning to decline around the fifties. 

Light: Medicine for Today
Light, seasonal, natural or artificial is a key factor in our ability to be healthy and effective whereas lack of proper light has been shown to lead to SAD, illness, growth and even addiction.

Cold Weather Running
So, I bought a full spectrum lamp (known colloquially as a “Happy Lamp”) that essentially puts out sunlight. When I get up, I make my coffee, then sit in front of that bad boy while I enjoy my drank. Within 20 minutes, I feel like noticeably more energetic and motivated to get out the door.

Sound Asleep Curtains Review
If you sleep at night, which most people do, try to get at least 3o minutes of full spectrum light during the day, especially first thing in the morning. This light will cue your body to induce sleep at night.

Hopeful but Funkified
I am buying one of those full-spectrum lights for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder. I always get “the blues” in winter, but some years I have had full-blown depression which coincided with the turning of the seasons, and I just will not let that happen this year.

Ten Tips for Staying Healthy This Winter
Even a short stint out in the sun can help your mood, enhance your sleep, and help you feel like you don’t live in a cave. If you struggle with seasonal depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD) get a full spectrum light and spend some time in front of it. 

PLANTCARE
Moso seedling troubles, help please – Bamboo Forums
If you want to grow them indoors, I would first suggest natural light from either a south or east facing window. If you don’t have that, I would suggest a full spectrum light, or commercial light such as hps or metal halides which help them stay healthy.

Related posts:

1. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 52)
2. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 47)
3. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 41)

WORK BETTER
A LED Strip Light Jewelry Display Can Wow Your Customers
Lighting should always be as close to full spectrum, natural light as possible. Studies show that it makes people feel happier and healthier, and these lights are actually used to help people who experience mood problems during the darker months. LED strip light jewelry display cases simply give your consumers a better feeling and a better view

HEALTH
The Unmedicated Fool
I’ve arranged for the replacement bulb to come posthaste so that I don’t have to deal with this sub-standard dark and yellow and non-daylight bulb. It’s God damn awful, darlings. I wouldn’t wish it on any of you, but you probably do use ones like that normally, anyway. But once you’ve had full spectrum, you don’t want to go back.

A Good Night’s Sleep: Essential for Health
Like with diet, there isn’t a “one size fits all”; however, if you are experiencing sleep difficulties, try a few of these easy inexpensive possibilities: 3 mg of the hormone melatonin about one half hour before bed; no television or computer work an hour before going to sleep; reading with a full spectrum light bulb; sleeping with eye shades if you can’t make your bedroom completely dark.

Do you suffer from the Winter Blues?
I think being outside did me the world of good. My house is rather dark and has terrible lighting so I will be buying some full spectrum light bulbs this afternoon which should also help with my mood.

Is the Lighting in Your Home Making You SAD?
So while having your home full of blue lights is not aesthetically pleasing, full spectrum bulbs are. The lighting industry has blown up with options over the years.

ART
Learning To Draw
Make sure you have excellent lighting. If you can’t see you can’t draw. If you do not have a well lit room with natural sunlight to work in, then check your local art supply store or search online for full spectrum lighting products that mimic natural sunlight.

PLANTCARE
Aquaponics System Diagram, version 1
There are 3 sets of lights, a high-intensity grow light over the lowest bed (for tomatoes), there is a 4′ long shoplight with 4 full-spectrum bulbs (for the salad greens), and a small bulb with 1 full spectrum grow bulb up top (over the flood tank with watercress and duckweed).

HOME DECORATING
Make Your Space Inspirational
A nurturing space is one filled with natural daylight during the day and enveloped by high quality artificial lighting at night. Lighting helps to set a creative stage and can lift your mood. Lighting that includes: task lighting (full-spectrum light is best to simulate natural light)

Related posts:

1. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 17)
2. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 23)
3. Full-spectrum lighting (issue 9)

HEALTH
How To Cure The End-Of-Summer Blues
To try this out, get a lightbox or a lamp designed to mimic full-spectrum light. Expose yourself to the light early in the day to see the most effective results. Many people feel better within one week of light therapy.

WORK BETTER
5 Tools To Make Going Back To The Office Suck Less
If you work indoors all day, grab yourself a full spectrum light bulb for you desk lamp. They’re pretty cheap, and at the very least I’ve noticed they reduce eye-strain and in-office suicidal urges.

FISHCARE
Freshwater Tank
One of the easiest ways to get started setting up these fish tanks is to purchase a tank with a hood and light already included. You will want to make sure that the light is a full spectrum light. If it isn’t, you will want to go ahead and change it to one.

ART
Setting up a Still Life
Lighting is also important. If you want dramatic lighting, you can choose to set up near a window for natural light, or create your own dramatic lighting with the use of lamps and spotlights. Spotlights are especially good for glass or shiny objects as they will “twinkle” in bright light. Spotlights can also cast unwanted shadows, so be careful about placement. You will want to use full spectrum or “daylight” lamps for that purpose.

Architectural Color Specialist’s Blog
What is needed to perceive color, which is part of the visual-at least to us-spectrum? Light, an object that reflects it, and an instrument for perceiving it (in our case our eyes and brain). Above all, we need light. Light not only effects our perception of color.

CRAFT
Creative Needlepoint: Benefits of Full Spectrum Lighting
In addition to these benefits, full spectrum lights improve vision and create less glare and eye strain than other lighting. Also the light reduces fatigue as compared to incandescent light or fluorescent light which is a big advantage at work or at home

Headaches
Q: I had my eyes tested in May, but just reccently I’ve been getting headaches before I go to bed. I mentioned it to my brother and he said he wasn’t surprised as how dark and dingy the flat looked with the new lightbulbs I was using. A: Inadequate lighting may well be aproblem especially if you are trying to read or sew …worth trying a full spectrum bulb in the area you sit even if the rest of the flat is dark.

REPTILECARE
How to Raise Terrapin Turtles
Most light bulbs should have enough power to get the basking spot to the right temperature. A full-spectrum fluorescent light also needs to be attached to the aquarium. The fluorescent light source will provide the light needed for vitamin synthesis to take place.

PLANTCARE
Growing Verbena Imagination From Seeds
If you have a bright, sunny window, move the seedlings there. If not, you’ll need to screw hooks into the ceiling above a table, and suspend chains from the hooks. Clip-on light fixtures are available at most hardware stores. These can be clipped to the chain, plugged into an available outlet, and moved up the chain as needed. Full spectrum bulbs work best for indoor lighting.

Related posts:

1. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 38)
2. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 18)
3. Who’s talking about full-spectrum lighting – issue 3

ART
Setting up a Still Life
Lighting is also important. If you want dramatic lighting, you can choose to set up near a window for natural light, or create your own dramatic lighting with the use of lamps and spotlights. Spotlights are especially good for glass or shiny objects as they will “twinkle” in bright light. Spotlights can also cast unwanted shadows, so be careful about placement. You will want to use full spectrum or “daylight” lamps for that purpose

CRAFT
Welcome to Ba Ba Blacksheep
Bad lighting can make a project more difficult, if not impossible, to do. Try to find lightbulbs that are “full spectrum” or “daylight” bulbs to get a truer light. Nothing is as good as natural sunlight to see the definition on darker yarns or when threading a loom.

BIRDCARE
cage or no cage in bird room?
Birds need full spectrum lighting, so make sure it is of the hanging variety closer to the ceiling. You’ll also have to cage any cords coming down to make sure she leaves cords and plug along. Bird will have to have full spectrum light, so this is another consideration. The other way to do is to buy one of the fixtures you wire into an existing light fixture and then just turn on and off using the light switch. This would be safer though the ones hanging from short chain like shop lights will also work if you are careful to cage cords and plug.

PLANTCARE
How to Care for Moon Flowers After Germination
Move established seedlings to a cool spot with good light and adequate airflow. Cool air helps avoid fungal infections. Full-spectrum lighting suspended from the ceiling works best for providing adequate light. Screw hooks into your ceiling and attach chains to the hooks. Attach clip-on lights to the chains and plug them into available outlets. Use full-spectrum bulbs, place seedlings 6 inches from the lights and keep the lights on 16 hours a day. Move the lights up the chain as the seedlings grow.

Has anyone tried Windowfarming/hydroponics?
Lettuce is really easy to grow indoors too. All you need is a window that gets afternoon sun, and if you don’t have one you can use a full-spectrum aquarium light (cost about $20) to help. We have lettuce all year round this way. In the summer I grow some outside too, but leaf lettuce (which can be quite delicate in direct sun) LOVES inside growing.

Cool Weather Gardening
Small plants such as herbs and smaller varieties of tomato and pepper plants are perfect candidates for moving indoors. Just make sure they receive adequate sunlight or light from a full-spectrum artificial light source. Prune often to keep the size of these plants from overtaking a space indoors.

HEALTH
Natural Full Spectrum Lighting and Human Health
Scientists discovered that light stimulates the body to suppress the release of depression-causing hormones and enzymes. Most treatments use ordinary fluorescent lighting, though full spectrum or natural light lamps are presently recommended.

How not to fall asleep at work
Working in an office with bad lighting could be sapping your energy. “Tests have found that full-spectrum lighting, which simulates daylight and promotes better vision – will boost your energy levels as well”

Juneuary, Fogust, Septvember. #thingsiloveaboutstjohns
The MUN Counselling Centre has a full-spectrum SAD light in their waiting room, ready to make you feel less crappy. Regular, ten-minute spells under that light should make your winters (and springs) far more bearable, psychologically-speaking.

REPTILECARE
How to Care for a Bearded Dragon
Place a full spectrum light over the aquarium tank. Bearded dragons are active during the day, not at night, and need at least 14 hours of light during the day, 10 hours during the spring and fall and 8 during the winter. Depriving your bearded dragon of the required light will cause vitamin deficiencies.

Related posts:

1. Full-spectrum Light (issue 39)
2. Full-spectrum Light (issue 29)
3. Who’s talking about full-spectrum lighting – issue 3

WORK BETTER
Home Improvement | Lighting Your Basement Home Office
Ambient light can come from several sources, including ceiling fixtures, and daylight if you happen to have windows in your basement. If you don’t have windows, you can still make your space more habitable by using what’s known as “full spectrum” light bulbs.

greenpower2010
Studies suggest that natural light increases human productivity and reduces fatigue and stress. By simply replacing your antiquated fluorescent tubes with full-spectrum tubes, you can instantly enhance your environment and your well-being! Full spectrum lighting emits a natural, balanced spectrum of light that is the closest you can get to sunlight indoors.

What Safety Hazards Are Lurking In Your Office?
Loss control specialists encourage you to look for the following risks in your office setting and take appropriate action to increase the safety of your employees:

HEALTH
Increase Your Energy Levels
Have you ever felt yourself start to drag once the fall starts and the days grow shorter? Did you know that energy levels and moods are associated with seasonal sunshine and light cycles? It’s referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and affects women far more than men. Natural light, or sunshine, enhances serotonin in the body, a neurotransmitter that directly influences our mood

Full Spectrum Light and Winter Wellness
It has been said we need sun to live, at least 35 minutes per day. Yet what are we to do when we live in a northern city and work all day?

HOME DECORATING
Feng Shui Decorating – Use Elements and Colors
Some basic Feng Shui ideas for decorating and designing rooms and houses include: Avoid excessive overhead lighting. Choose warm full spectrum lighting instead

BIRDCARE
full spectrum lighting – distances
How should I determine the distance above a bird to locate a full-spectrum light? What does one do about getting light close enough to birds in cages that are 4-6 feet tall?

ART
studio constuction-the beginning
There is a great view of the sun setting over the lake but it also allows a lot of sun glare so now I’m figuring out the best artificial lighting. I think I’m going with flourescent lights with full spectrum light bulbs or possibly a combination of regular fluorescents along with day light bulbs.

MISCELLANEOUS
Light, Matter, Geometry & Angry Birds…
So, yellow only looks yellow to us, because we can only see in the visible spectrum of light. But bee’s and other pollinating insects can see in the UV spectrum, and yellow plants look much more inviting (to a bee!) under UV.

Related posts:

1. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 20)
2. Full-Spectrum Light (issue 13)
3. Full-spectrum lighting (issue 8)

Today we feature another work by this artist – the Sounding Dome Sauna.

The Sauna – located in Finland’s oldest and largest city park, Kupittaa Park, is innovative in its design, its use of full-spectrum lights and the soundscape which varies depending on the sauna temperature and humidity.

No related posts.

“The form of the Leaf House is unique. By day it resembles a strange hat or misshapen boat; by night a Jack O’ Lantern, glowing from within, its windows evoking the abstracted eyes and mouth of some Finnish folklore giant. Though the structure appears quirky and follyesque – modernism goes Moomin – it is far from haphazard.”

Viva-Lite partners Ad-Lux were responsible for the full-spectrum lights throughout the house and reported from the opening party that under the Viva Lite lamps the colors of the house are real and beautiful.

You can watch a video of the house here.

Related posts:

1. Life on a Leaf – a total work of art
2. Viva-Lite Valkeakoski Housing Fair Video
3. One of the Best lighted Houses in Finland