Where Art and Life Intertwine: Inside My Home, Studio & Retreat, A Sanctuary of Creativity and Transformation
Recently, Het nieuwsblad wrote about this space—a home that is at once a studio, exhibition space, and retreat center. But more than that, it is a sanctuary, a place where the essence of SoulJoy takes form.
In the atelier, I create.
In the exhibition space, stories are shared.
In the retreat center, souls come home to themselves.
Each of these spaces flows into the next, just as life does. There is no separation between art and healing, between creativity and transformation. Everything is connected.
The Beauty of Coming Home to Yourself
If you look closely, you will see that nothing in this home is perfect—and that is exactly what makes it beautiful. Cracks in the walls, asymmetries in the furniture, the textures of time—they all tell a story. Just like we do.
I have come to see that life is not about fixing or perfecting. It is about embracing, allowing, surrendering. It is about stepping into our fullness, not despite our imperfections, but because of them.
And so, this home, this studio, this retreat—it is all part of the same unfolding. It is a space for creation, for remembering, for returning to what is real.
Here, art and life are one.
A home That Breathes with Life
Every corner of this space is infused with presence. In the mornings, soft light filters through the windows, casting shadows on the paintings that line the walls—works from my Roots collection, which reflect the beauty of imperfection and the journey of self-acceptance. The Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi runs through every part of this home, reminding me daily that perfection is an illusion, and true beauty is found in the organic, the evolving, the deeply real.
At the center of it all is a space for gathering, for sharing, for being. The warmth of the fire, the touch of natural textures, the presence of art—it all creates an environment where people feel safe to soften, to express, to reconnect. Here, we celebrate the simple joys of being alive.
In the stillness, there is depth. In the movement, there is flow. In this home, there is space for it all.
A Place of Creative Freedom
Four years ago, I was searching for a space to paint. What I found was much more than that. This former bakery became my studio, my sacred space of creation. I spent months painting in the cold, surrounded by unfinished walls, completely immersed in the process. And in that raw, imperfect space, something powerful emerged: a deep knowing that this was only the beginning.
As the years unfolded, so did the vision. When the house next door became available, I felt an undeniable pull—this was my chance to expand, to hold space not just for myself, but for others. And so, step by step, with intention and love, SoulJoy Retreat was born.
This is what I believe in:
✨ A world where we shed the layers that are not truly ours.
✨ A world where we move beyond fear and into self-expression.
✨ A world where creativity and healing go hand in hand.
SoulJoy: A Sanctuary for the Soul
This space is no longer just mine. It is a home for those seeking depth, transformation, and connection. It is a sanctuary for those who long to return to their essence. Whether through art, movement, meditation, or silence, every element of this space is designed to guide you back—to yourself, to your truth, to the wisdom that has always been within you.
✨ Welcome to SoulJoy. Welcome home.
– Stephanie Cime