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As greater success unfolds and business booms, the need for a bigger space has also emerged for Monarch artists Austin Luckett of Iron Pine Photography and Michelle Phelps of Mandrews Art.

Luckett, a photographer who specializes in nature prints laser-printed onto metal, has been a Monarch resident from the beginning, residing in Studio No. 3. But, as his business grew, the space started feeling a bit crowded.

“My No. 3 Studio space was always part workshop and part gallery, but the workshop has grown quickly. I am producing mostly metal prints, but also doing some canvas prints, and it became so much of a full-time working space that it was getting difficult to bring people in to view my work” he said.

Luckett and Phelps met while residing as artists at The Monarch and decided that their work complemented each other’s; as each was looking for a space, a collaboration seemed fated.

“Her nature-inspired paintings (including aspens and mountains) worked well with my local-focused metal prints. Michelle was doing a great job coming to Ogden and working to provide a good social atmosphere for artists. She wanted others to see their value as artists,” Luckett said of Phelps.

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The artists wanted a creative, casual and simple vibe in which the art would be the main feature. To design the space, the artists contacted Missy Beus, wife of Blake Beus, another Monarch creative resident. “We had concrete floors, bare wood walls and nothing else,” Luckett said. “Missy suggested the colors on the walls and Michelle even created a 27-foot long faux concrete wall finish. Missy also suggested the furniture, a comfortable couch for clients or a place to relax when not creating. All of us worked together to come up with a display system that wouldn’t damage the faux-concrete wall paint. A nice black-and-white modern floor rug really pulls the room together. There is even a nice retail wall with smaller art works, magnets, shirts, hoodies and Michelle’s leggings for sale.”

While Luckett primarily uses the space to meet with clients and friends and show his work in a more casual, relaxed setting, Phelps uses it to paint and loves to have other artists come in and work with her.

The new studio, No. 40, is located on the west side of The Monarch. “It is sort of a hidden gem with guilt-free browsing. We utilize the space as much as we can and we welcome everyone to stop by and take a look inside,” Luckett said.

Both artists prefer that people make appointments at this time. Either reach out directly to Luckett or Phelps or book appointments through Luckett’s website, www.ironpine.company.