From the Ground Up: Robin's Labor of Love

Prologue: This post is going to be a two-fer. We're going to be catching up with Robin Luciano Beaty in Byfield, Massacheusetts, and I'm going to ramble a bit about the things that shape us. Grab your cuppa, because this is going to be a long post. (or you can skip to the pretty pictures and leave comments like" luks gud"....I promise I won't mind, because I need some closure to accept and move on with life as it is, not life as I wish it could be. This post needs to be written for my peace of mind.) This post is a goodbye (maybe a see ya later, alligator?, please?) to a place and time that left its indelible mark on me and mine. A place we called home for the past five years (Jan '05-Jan '10) of our lives [Edited to add: we moved to the midwest in Jan '10]. A place that will probably maintain that status in my mind and heart, forever. I've had this ache and pull for home for a while now. It's the weather and the season, you see. About this time of the year the peepers would descend in droves on our sleepy little new england town, a town in a country I wasn't born in, wasn't raised in, yet felt perfectly at home in. How is that? Is it possible for a person to have more than one home? Is it possible for a person to love two places and countries and cultures? Yes, when it, they, you, open your hearts. I know by now that a lot of my blogger friends who have have lived through this, feel the same way about their adopted homes, while still being fiercely in love with the country and culture they were born of. And I know they, we, are richer in our hearts and thoughts because of it. Because love doesn't take away--it only gives and snowballs into more love. (Edited to add: Gosh that sounds sappy, but I can't think of any less clichéd way of putting it across. I'm going to leave this as is. So sue me!) What does this have to do with Robin's studio?  Read on....

Her barn-studio.

(if this were a book, the story would start here..............)

The Studio and the Tour: When I first saw Robin's studio up on Apartment Therapy, I was spellbound. I flipped through the pictures first and then decided that I would actually read the article. I felt it in my gut. I'm glad I did --I actually went back and read and re-read the whole article from start to finish about three times over. And then I went on with my life. Till Leigha published a post on the studio, and rekindled my interest in it (Thank you Leigha, for that and the much-needed nudge!). Then I knew that I had to share it with you. And that I also had to share why it felt so special, so right.

You see, Robin is an artist and artists need space to create. And the space needs to be inspiring, for creativity to flow. Before the studio, Robin had a space--in the basement of her home. Space, but no inspiration. And that's when Robin decided to take matters in her own hands, literally. She researched her options and settled on a Vermont- based company to source the raw materials from. The studio was built, from the ground up, by just two people--the proprietor of the company and Robin. Have I ever mentioned how much in awe I am of people who have the DIY gene in them? It took her a year to create the studio of her dreams. From scratch. To finish. As far as she could, Robin stuck with eco-friendly materials. She built her studio with her own hands. This then is what I miss most- the spirit of the people I knew and met in our quiet little town. The get-it-done attitude. The desire to do it right by mother earth. The all-cycle recycle. Other things too, the smiles, the warmth, the decency. The gentlemen who held doors open. The ladies who stopped and talked about their grandkids. The folks who waved hello from their cars. sigh.

From the ground up.

I saw something in this space, I cannot define it. But I can feel it. I hope I've manged to convey part of the magic. This is her place to create.

The sitting room area for guests and lounging. She built the coffee table as well.

On her coffee table. Flowers in a repurposed can.

A stunning display of her art. She creates these panels out of hot wax. The art form is called encaustic painting. Her art deserves a dedicated post, and I will work on it as soon as possible. Meanwhile you can go check out her gallery and blog for more deets.



Her artwork in the foreground. Another view of the seating area, the screen delineates the studio.

Paint-spattered scissors. Art supplies in the studio.

Details of her heirloom-doily covered curtains.

Another perspective. Notice the stone fireplace in the corner? The perfect antidote for new england winters!!

Aprons!

Perfection. The art. The vintage turntable.

Her office in the loft.

Upstairs, in her office. The daybed is made from an upcycled door.

Dresser next to the bed.

The view from her office. Looking down at her studio.

The fireplace, from above.

The back entrance.... a retreat in itself!

Would you like to see more of her studio? Let me re-direct you to the original article on Apartment Therapy, there are 49 photographs in all. All images were taken by Violet Marsh, via. You can also find out more about Robin at her blog, website,and facebook page. Are you as curious as I am about her home? (if this is the studio, then her home must be as charming!!). Well, watch this space then!!

Robin, it was an honor being invited into your world. Thank you.

Epilogue: Land of the beat up subaru, I never felt I had said my goodbyes to you. This is my tribute to you and your people. You will live in my heart forever.