My Studio - Islesford, Maine. Part 1

     I have two studios. This post today is about the studio that makes me cry if I think about it too much. This studio is the place my soul searches for. It's the only place where I feel whole and complete. My heart sings when I am there and I never, ever want to leave. 
   
 If Once You Have Slept on an Island
If once you have slept on an island
You'll never be quite the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name,

You may bustle about in street and shop;
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.

You may chat with the neighbors of this and that
And close to your fire keep,
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.

Oh, you won't know why, and you can't say how
Such change upon you came,
But-once you have slept on an island
You'll never be quite the same!

By Rachel Field

      I have been going to Islesford my entire life. Of my 52 years on this planet, I think there are two I did not go up during the summer. I stay in a house called The Studio. It was built by mother's grandfather for her great uncle who was an amateur artist. Back then, it was just a single square room with a view beyond belief. The house it is now went through some changes when my uncle Malcolm and his wife added to it back in the 1960's. It sits on the North Shore of Little Cranberry Island. I see the mountains all day long, a sight I never grow tired of seeing. I love to hear the slow steady rumbles of the lobster boats in the mornings as they head out. I used to be able to identify each boat by its' motor. But that was a long time ago. 
     I love to sit on the deck and wave to the tourist boats as they come by. Sometimes the tourists wave back. I love watching the sailboat races go by, glad I am not on them as how far over they sail makes me nervous. I love watching the sun sink low at night and I wait to see what will be given to me as my evening present appears. I love watching the lightening streak across the mountains when it is dark and I love to listen to the rain pound against the roof. I love the thunder shake the windows as it booms in the night. I love the smell of the ocean. I love listening to the waves against the beach below the house and the bell buoy clang as it rocks on the waves. When I was little, Bear Island Lighthouse used to light up my room.
     I love the people who have known me my whole life. I love the restaurant where I had my first job at 16. I was unable to serve alcohol so the other waitresses had to do it for me. I love the one room school house named after Ashley Bryan, one of the sweetest, kindest most amazing person I have ever met. It wasn't until I was in high school when I knew just how amazing he really is. I love that I can go anywhere and not get lost. I love that I can sit in my living room and paint wildflowers and a sailboat at the same time. I love feeding our garbage to the seagulls in front of the house.
     This is the place I go to recuperate from the winter. I only live three hours away but it sometimes feels so far. I talk so much about Islesford I often think my friends' eyes start to roll back in boredom. Not again, I think they are thinking. But I don't care. Of all the places I would ever want to be in this entire world, it is there. Always.