ARTISTS FIND HOME AT FEED STORE:THREE SCULPTORS SET UP STUDIO FOR EVER-GROWING BODY OFLARGE-SCALE WORK

When their art projects took over their residential properties, three Santa Rosa sculptors began searching for a studio that was large enough to hold a city bus, able to withstand welding torches and flame-throwers and cheap enough to accommodate starving artists' budgets. At the empty Rincon Valley Feed Store, they found the perfect match. Until its owner died two years ago, the structure on Middle Rincon Road off Highway 12 had been used for nearly 100 years to store animal feed and implements. It had been vacant for nearly two years when David Farish, Joey Castor and Skye Barnett leased it in December.

The trio launched a studio they call The Feed Barn and hope it will eventually become a haven for artists of all types. But in the meantime they're just happy to find a place to put their projects.

"I started building stuff, and everything got bigger and bigger," says David Farish, 33, a graphic designer who builds fantastical human-powered vehicles. "Plus," he laughs, "I got my partner mad at me for taking up so much space at home."

One such space-taker is Murray, the 7-foot-tall, five-passenger bicycle his friends describe as a flame-throwing, pedal-powered, three-wheeling love machine with a princess seat and an attitude.

Along with three other artists, Farish built it to navigate the Burning Man Festival's dusty, hard-packed playa and the streets of Railroad Square's Handcar Regatta, but until December it just took up space in his Junior College neighborhood yard.

Joey Castor, 44, found himself with the same predicament. Having recently completed an MFA at Mills College, he no longer had a studio available to build his large-scale sculptures and video installations.

A third artist, Skye Barnett, found that his projects -- which include boats, kinetic sculptures and a newly purchased 1961 Santa Rosa city bus -- were outgrowing his backyard workshop.

The three had collaborated on projects for Burning Man and the Handcar Regatta, and are now members of a bicycle and kinetic sculpture group called The Fun Bike Unicorn Club. All agreed that they needed a massive place for their ever-growing work. No less than 2,000 square feet would do.

"I started off with small projects like bikes," says Barnett, 27, a self-proclaimed project junkie. "Then I went to Burning Man and saw all of the big vehicles there and decided that I wanted one, too."

Back in Santa Rosa, he and Farish, along with friends Clifford Hill and Dan Kirby, designed a massive carriage-like contraption they call the Hennepin Crawler. They pedal it down McDonald Avenue on Halloween and roll it down the tracks to Railroad Square for Handcar Regatta Festivals.

Finding studio space large enough and cheap enough was challenging. The 3,600-square-foot Feed Store fit both needs. "We pay more than the price of a pony but less than that of a horse," Barnett says.

For the past century, Anselmo Baldi and his descendants have owned the property, using it first as a prune orchard and later using the barn as a feed store for farmers and ranchers.

As the artists settle in, they have big plans for the space. Barnett wants to build a functioning wooden art boat/contraption for Petaluma's upcoming Rivertown Revival Festival. Farish plans to build furniture and bicycles.

Castor often builds pieces out of cement, wood and stone, and collaborates with his friends, the Whiskey Drunks, on projects like a 20-foot wooden velodrome for bicycle racing. While other men may forge friendships around professional sports or hunting, these guys find that working toward a tangible outcome with like-minded, eclectic artists is more fun.

"There's strength in numbers," jokes Barnett. "Now no one can beat us up anymore."

Future plans include hosting a CD release party for local musician Brian Fitzpatrick, as well as other art openings and special events.

"We really want to use this as a venue to support the local art scene," says Castor. "There are so many creative people here."

Find out what the Feed Barn has in store by visiting thefeedbarn.blogspot.com.