My concern is keeping my Lab in the art studio with me. Is this a safe environment as far as paint smells are concerned ? My Lab will not be loose- she will be in her crate with a frozen Kong. I will be taking her outside and playing with her frequently during the hours when I’m painting.
Hello and welcome . I suppose a lot depends on how large the room is and how well ventilated too ? I think I would be a little concerned if this was oil paints ? I know it isn't the same, but I recently painted my sitting room , had the windows wide open ( freezing cold but dry day ! ) and I did decide not to use gloss paint anywhere, due to fumes which irritate me so probably dogs too .
Kate, Thank-you for responding to my question. I do all of my paintings in oils. I have to say I’m not surprised by your answer. Never would I want to put my dog’s health at risk. Probably I knew the answer all along, but needed reassurance. I’m never going to be able to have my dog in the studio without anxiety.
Welcome! Yes, I agree with Kate that it depends on what you are using for paint. My dogs were always around when I painted, but that was acrylics, so no bad fumes.
Thanks, how typical, though, to be worried about my dog first. I can have my dog in the studio when I’m making collage. No toxic fumes there.
Does she have to be in a crate? Can she come and go as she pleases? That way she can seek your company when she wants, but not have to be in the art studio all the time? My boy wants to be with me all the time. But if I’m in my study and it’s too hot for him, he’ll go lie on the landing where it’s cooler but can still keep an eye on me.
I'm an artist who works in oils and my dogs have always hung out in the studio with me. I do keep the door open so they can come and go as they please, but mostly they're right at my feet. No ill effects that I've noticed except for dog hairs getting embedded in the wet paint!!
She’ll only need to be in a crate/playpen when she’s a little puppy. I haven’t brought her to live with us yet- she arrives this coming summer when she’s 7 weeks old. I’ve never had a Lab before, so I need this forum and the web site to prepare myself for a change in breed. We have always had English Cockers. Our last one passed away in the fall. I’m excited about having a highly intelligent dog, who is very interactive with her people ! There’s a family room right there next to my studio where she can hang out on the leather couch that is already scratched up by my last dog ! She’ll be able to keep a close eye on me (-: Thanks for your reply.
I guess I really needed to hear what you said, because Labs being Labs she’s going to want to be right next to me while I paint. There is a nice room next to the studio, so she can wander in and out. I’m prepared for Lab hair drifting into paint - along with my clothes, carpeting and everywhere else !
