Studio Tour
Studio Tour: A Peek Inside My Home Studio
Welcome to my studio—a very happy place.
This space has become the heart of my creative world. Nestled in our Deephaven, Minnesota home, just beside the nursery where my twins nap and play, it’s a room full of afternoon and evening light, peace, quiet, and possibility. Today, I’m sharing a glimpse inside the place where my paintings come to life.
A Studio Rooted in Light and Home
The studio was thoughtfully designed to feel like an extension of the rest of our home—soft neutrals, natural textures, and pops of blue. While I wanted a “blank slate” to fill with my own creations, I also hoped the space would feel lived-in and full of character.
When we bought this home in 2021, we refinished the beautiful red oak floors that now run throughout. In the afternoon and evening, the sunlight pours in with a warm, almost pink glow. It feels cozy in here. My husband hung his collection of guitars on the wall, and I love that this is our shared “art” room. As my collection has grown, I’ve added floating oak shelves to display in-progress pieces. Seeing my work at different stages is grounding—and reminds me to keep creating.
A wheeled stainless steel Husky workbench with a butcher block top houses my sketching and painting supplies, reference images, palettes, and art books. At the center of the room is a navy and white plaid wool rug that makes the room feel like a home office or moody library. Atop it sits a vintage wooden printer’s desk, where I sit to work on small pieces at my easel.
Like much of my work, the space is inspired by timeless design—but with the ease and warmth of daily life and studio messes. It’s not just a room for painting. It’s a place to pause, to notice, and to create with intention. I love the way the light streams in each afternoon, and how my flower box just outside the window catches the breeze.
Where Inspiration Begins
Most days, inspiration finds me in the quiet moments—a patch of dappled morning light in the kitchen or breakfast nook, a peek of blooming sunflowers or marigolds in the garden, a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter.
Other times, it’s sparked by memory: a coastal town we wandered through, or a walk in Woodland with glimpses of sailboats bouncing on Wayzata Bay.
I also draw from the artists who inspire me most—Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, and more contemporary creators like Lindsay Goodwin and Beau Bernier Frank.
Ollie, our golden retriever and official studio pup is almost always curled up at my feet as I sketch or mix color. I do my best to keep his fine golden retriever hairs out of the paintings, ha! There’s a rhythm to it all—quiet, thoughtful, sometimes challenging or frustrating, but always deeply fulfilling.
Tools of the Trade
I paint using Geneva Fine Art oils on stretched or paneled linen and use a completely non-toxic process—an important priority with the studio just steps from the nursery. Each painting begins with a sketch, usually pretty intentional, and slowly takes shape over several days or weeks. I’m always working to "loosen up"—searching for that delicate balance between realism and abstraction. I have found tricks of the trade to balance the business of life with twin toddlers including storing my paints (on glass palettes) at cold temperatures and using Geneva's brush dip to keep my brushes supple and allowing me to stop and start without cleanup. An artist's dream!
Once complete, each painting is sealed with a protective layer of Gamblin varnish. Originals are professionally photographed, and I work with a fine art print shop to produce museum-quality prints on thick, matte paper. Each print is made to order and shipped with care.
Art Meets Everyday Life
This place is more than just a workspace—it’s a bridge between past and present, between motherhood and art. It’s where the nurturing spirit I first witnessed in my grandmother’s farm kitchen continues to live on. It’s where my background as a pediatric nurse practitioner meets the creative pull that’s always been part of me and encourages me to cultivate that sense of wonder in my own children.
It’s a space I hope to share with William and Madeline someday. I want them to see me working toward something with intention—and to know that they, too, can make the world a more beautiful place with their creations and contributions.
And most of all, it’s where I remember to slow down, look closely, and create something beautiful from the quiet corners of daily life.
Thank You for Visiting
Thank you for stepping inside my studio. It means so much to share this part of my world with you.
If you’d like to explore available fine art prints or original paintings, you can browse the full collection.
And if you’d like to receive updates, new releases, and little notes from the studio, join the mailing list.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Stephanie