The Perfect Studio

The Perfect Studio The Perfect Studio has a door that closes There’s enough room there to not have my back to the door the kitties are present There’s a big table to spread out and make a mess marked with years of creativity Of course, there’s a comfy chair that is big enough for me to sit cross-legged or even better, a chaise lounge A rug that’s colorful that I can get paint on and splash as I choose Bright leafy green plants to surround me and keep me company A candle that smells good An altar that changes every time I come in A chocolate stash A fuzzy robe covered in paint A tall bookcase filled with inspiring images and stories A wall of photos of people I love A sign for the door that says: The MUSE is in, so don’t come in Yet also people who respect that sign and people who can come in for tea because I like them but only when they are invited There’s a teapot with tea seaping that smells so good that my lover made and a handmaid cup from a friend There’s a jar of local honey from people that I know and bees I am sure to cross paths with on my morning walks There’s music that makes me dance There’s lots and lots of paints and pens and pencils and charcoal and places to play There’s a stack of empty notebooks awaiting my pen and story There’s a window for seeing far And when I get up really early, seeing the stars There’s always a jar of water awaiting my brush It’s an invitation and a blank canvas or one that’s ready to be painted over And of course TIME Time to spend there, here Intentional Creativity time I want to have tea with the Muse as I choose What about you? What kind of studio is perfect for you? Shiloh Sophia Dear Ones, The photo above is our ‘film set’ and while I paint there when I am teaching, it isn’t my personal studio. I feel so grateful to have so much space to work in, but I also share this space and rent this space - and I can’t close the door - or make a mess and keep it messy. This has been a strange phenomenon for me - to have all this space to manage and use to teach in but not have it be personal space that I don’t have to share. I have moved my studio at our campus likely 40 times at least in the past few years - and this particular set up just happened because we converted the actual film studio into a dorm. My actual studio here we rented to another artist. While I am super glad she has it, I don’t have it and I miss it. So I am just coming to terms with this feeling - of not having a room that I can mess up and keep messy that no one can come into with a closing door where I can paint and be messy and be a mess. #hotmess seeks room for rent lol. A film set is not a personal studio. This feels important for me to just acknowledge so I can move on. And since we rent the space I try to ‘un-shiloh’ it on a regular basis, which again means I am continually moving my personal space and items around. I know, I know many people don’t even have one place to paint, so is it really a problem? Get over it I say, but then I am not being honest. I need a big open space and place to work and dream and invent. Because the companies I run and the offerings I create come out of my own mind/heart sacred studio space which is mapped to the physical space where I work things out. So today I am just owning this need for a closing door so I can see what else wants to come forward. To be able to dream into what I would really like. Sometimes I get up really early and go paint in the classroom or the gallery - but I always have to clean it up and make it nice again right away. So am I really asking for a space to be messy? To cry? To experiment while not making product or on the camera? A place I can have a private slumber party? I don’t know. I just know that writing this down was important for me. I have so much - I truly do. And something is needed and I am just exploring that. I also feel that sharing it may spark something in you too - about what you need. Even if you can’t create it right now - you can make a perfect studio list and honor it. Intentional Creativity is this - being intentional about writing this poem and sharing this and it moves energy - and creates a clearing for something new to emerge. I feel better already. I started writing this in New York and finished it this morning during cafe’. Blessings dear one, and may be get to the studio… Shiloh Sophia p.s. the above film studio photo has a quilt from Sumaiyah and a painting by Sue in it and I am finally making the wall behind my chaise lounge personal with photos. I will not move them….I will learn to occupy in a good way. p.p.s. I am also wondering if my next studio will be around pottery - I have spent years potting in the past and I miss it. Maybe I am seeking something else. Musing on it. Get full access to Tea with the Muse at teawiththemuse.substack.com/subscribe