Dawn Carlos

Sound & vision This San Francisco concept artist’s compact workspace enables her to sketch, synthesise and create in her small downtown apartment.

Beholders, Fenders and books, oh my! I’ve lived in a small apartment in San Francisco for years, starting out with a TV tray for a desk in 2009. Over time, I’ve evolved my home studio into what you see today.

I share a small, one-bedroom apartment with my partner, concept artist/illustrator John Severin Brassell. Space is limited, so we’ve had to get creative with how we set up the interior to not only be a home, but a place where we can make art and enjoy our hobbies.

A closet was converted into a living room nook, which is just a few feet behind my desk. A TV and a monitor are hooked up to our multiple gaming consoles. My instruments, Magic: The Gathering cards and D&D books are also placed in a bookshelf there in such a way that we can both be hanging out playing games together in co-op or doing separate activities entirely.

These records – OCS: Live in SF, Lightning Dust and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – are among my favourites from my small vinyl collection.