POST WRITTEN JANUARY 2018
Hello there! I write to you from the depths of winter, by which I mean I am under like 5 blankets right now. Bunkering down in the cold and the dark is already getting a little old, but fortunately there's a little point of light - a holiday! A celebration! That's right - The Giant Metal Baby's Birthday!
Hooray!
Regardless of the fact that December 22nd is its real birthday, which passed by WEEKS ago, this is still an excellent time to reflect on the past year. In the Metal Baby's first year it did a lot of sitting around, and building time stretched on forever. Alas, even now it is still very much under construction, but regardless, in this second year it's been all get-up-and-go!
Before embarking on its first grand journey, the Girls! Girls! Girls! Mural Tour from Richmond VA to Burlington VT, a lot had to happen:
It passed inspection (an ORDEAL to say the least)
The windshield wipers finally got fixed
Four PV panels were mounted via lots of holes in the roof
The solar system (PV panels, charge controller, batteries, and inverter) were all installed and connected with great success!
I designed, built, and installed the desk area, which made the truck finally functional as a studio in the most basic sense
I finally learned the size of my gas tank and can refill with confidence and regularity now
I made a plan for a sink, and have most of the necessary parts (just need to put it all together) and the sink basin itself is partially installed
Got electric wiring installed from the inverter to boxes around the truck's interior
Installed LED strip lighting - now it's like working in a laboratory! Super Bright!
Got a brand new starter battery (and some new ring terminals to boot)
Installed new bookshelves and paper dispensers
A new paint job!
A lot of other research and parts-gathering happened, and many elements just need a c o u p l e more steps or pieces to become reality! (front floor area cleaning and sound insulation, stereo and speaker installation, more lighting, more shelving in the sink area, a fabulous yellow curtain to keep the heat in or out of the main work area...)
This all made it ready for its presentation to the public! The truck debuted at Endeavor's First Friday in June, its first public appearance as a functional mobile studio. From there it visited RVA Makers, Build RVA's, Crossroads Art Center, 50 Mile Fest at Gallery 5, Väsen Brewing Co, Studio 23, Peace Love Yoga Fest DC, and Good Day RVA Fest at Hardywood.
And then we were off - the first road trip! The big one! Many firsts happened here, and of course, the Big Breakdown. A mere 2.5 hours from our destination in Burlington, VT, the right rear wheel started working its way off of the axle, resulting in a disfigured axle and a long, long wait in a mechanic's shop far from home.