Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

Hello,

I am hoping to come to Bali and rent a studio space for 2-3 monthes (May-July)
Location:
I am looking for a town/village that is not too busy but with character and amenities maybe I can even buy my canvas there?
I was thinking Ubud but I read it is a club hopping place? A few pubs are nice but I don't want to hear raves. I have only been to Bali once, 13 yrs ago as a child with my parents, at the time Ubud was alot of grass. I don't have any idea of the other towns or even lombok so please fill me in
Studio space:
I am looking for a one-person self sustaining unit with kitchen. Internet prefered, hot water if possible, not too many leaks, charm and character, cozy. Ventilation for oil paints. some furnishings. Bright natural light, views. Quiet. Is it possible to find something akin to one room writers cabin for 100USD/month? I am not looking for a luxurious big house.

I am sure it will be much easier looking once i get there but I would like to get painting as soon as I arrive.

Regards,
RLiew

Welcome to the forum and soon, welcome to Bali.

I was thinking Ubud but I read it is a club hopping place?

Ubud? No. You’re thinking of the Kuta, Seminyak, Legian area. With very few exceptions, Ubud is fast asleep by 10:30 PM at the latest.

Yes, there is a Winsor Newton art supply shop in near Ubud and it is well stocked. No problem buying canvas, paints, brushes, etc. here.

I might have just the place for you...actually two possibilities. Each possibility would mean you would be sharing studio space...one with I Made Djirna, the other with I Wayan Tagel. Both are related to my wife, and if you google I Made Djirna, you’ll see just how important is this artist. Tagel is better known for architecture, but he also paints.

You could also stay at both places, and your budget might work for them, I’d have to ask them. If interested, send me a PM and let me know if I should bother them to see what they think.

Roy wrote:and if you google I Made Djirna, you’ll see just how important is this artist.

I actually did, saw some really nice work of him.

Hello,

Hmm I guess Ubud is very different 13 yrs later. What about 200USD? 300? Are the options basically either a guesthouse or a fancy villa and nothing in between?

Thanks, RLiew

The reality is Roann, that even a decent home stay in Ubud, (which I personally know well) will run you at least 2 million a month. Even then, you are still living within a Balinese family compound, and must get used to a certain lack of privacy.

Your dates are high season here, and given recent tourist numbers on Bali, I wouldn’t expect too much bargaining power in the key areas of Bali during that time.

We can continue our discussion via PM if you like.

ahhh okay. I was unaware of these homestay things. Thanks

sent you a PM

"Studio space" i have not come across. Ordinary houses can be rented cheaply, but normally only per year. Prices from around 10-15 million rp per year give you something decent, local standards. These houses are not easily found on the net.

Best is to find a local agent while you are here.

For 300-400 a month he may be able to stay at a small hotel or similar,, the place I stayed across from pizza bagus (Eri's hookup) was really quiet,too quiet!, pool,great staff, close to everything,,,, One things for sure , it will not be difficult to find a place once there, especially for one person....

Hello Texan,

I am a She by the way. From what I recall UBud was kind of like a Taos/Santa fe type place it seems like from the prices quoted the rent is just as high! I was in Laos not too long ago and rented a shack for $1/day granted It was just a bamboo type shack but it did have a private outdoor shower/outhouse and water access for paints..

Oh, im not saying you couldnt find something for $1 a day.... heck, you could prob. find a free place to stay if you were willing to befriend a few locals and somewhat participated in the culture experience.......especially being a painter and female. But everyone is expected to participate in the village offering, not doing so would be very colonial.... Sorry, I have to have my a/c to sleep,and a nice pool to take a dip in.... you may enjoy candi dasa, by the diving spots.... or the northern areas... cheap and beutiful... are you trying to paint landscape portraits? or just whatever tickles your fancy for the day? do you want to travel a bit with your canvass untill you see a spot or do you plan on just hanging out by the hammock? Ubud is a good central location if you want to travel around a bit. Just stay there and day hop to other locations, if thats what you are looking for,,, Have fun,,, Frog

Hello Froggy,

I would love to stay with locals. As I was telling Roy, I wasnt sure if I could since the oil paints and thinner I use are pretty toxic smelling I can't sleep in the same room and not sure the locals want to endure that. I paint mostly en plein air with an outdoor easel. Sometimes I do studies and bring them inside. I also do a series of contemporary work when it is snowing here in the winter you can check out my website. I was hoping to really stay put. In the past I tried combining travelling with painting and I find I don't get much done. I usually end of with sketches, journals and unfinished watercolor studies. This is the first time I will bring my easel and oils, I am pretty nervous esp on my budget. I have a friend in Kashgar who is eager for me to go paint there but I was thinking ah maybe Ubud! because realistically there will be more comforts and I will actually get work done instead of feeling like I have to sit on crazy bus rides and hike over passes.

Rliew wrote:but I was thinking ah maybe Ubud! because realistically there will be more comforts and I will actually get work done instead of feeling like I have to sit on crazy bus rides and hike over passes.

A suggestion for the first few nights while you look around could be Raka House, Gang Maruti 108, off Jalan Dewi Sita not far from the football field - phone 62-361-976081. At Rp100,000 per night including breakfast for clean large rooms with fan and hot water, it is over your budget - but maybe could help as a starter.

Thanks Ron. I just looked up some information on these losmen type accomodations you all were suggesting. I stayed at them 13 yrs ago with my parents. It makes so much more sense now....duhh for some reason when I heard losmen/homestay i envisioned the places I have stayed in the Himalayas or in China where the entire family takes turn bathing with a bucket in the courtyard in a plastic tub and the bed gets pulled out after dinner is shared.....!! And here I thought WHAT? budget at least 200USD a mth to live in this kind of place, what has ubud become???....duhh

We are building in a village called Nyanyi, and intend to have some accomodation available for writers (free). Could also be available for visual artists of course. Need to be legitimate artists, and comfortable living within a family environment, which means contributing socially.

The bad news is..... 8 months away.

http://www.roannliew.com/

Legitimate enough...

WOW!!!