ART & INTUITION,
INSIDE MUSE STUDIO
INTERVIEW WITH
CLEMENTINE, FOUNDER OF MUSE STUDIO
With an intuitive and emotionally driven approach to art, Clémentine founded Muse Studio as a space for curation, storytelling, and connection. Guided by both instinct and intention, she brings together artists whose work resonates on a personal level, shaping a cohesive and singular vision. Beyond showcasing talent, Muse Studio highlights the stories and human experiences behind each creation.
1. When you walk into an artist's studio or see their work for the first time, what are you actually looking for and what makes you stop?
I tend to have a very photographic, almost editorial eye, I’m a keen observer, and whenever I notice elements around me, even the most ordinary details, I instinctively frame them in my mind, sometimes even imagining them as part of an editorial layout.
That’s simply how my brain works. So when I encounter an artist or their work, whether in a studio, on the street, or anywhere else, something immediate happens in my head that truly captures my attention.
There has to be a spark, an initial connection that draws me in and then triggers an emotion. I’m a very sensitive person, and I think that sensitivity naturally comes with an appreciation for art.
The emotion can take many forms, even a sense of discomfort or repulsion, but more often, it’s something that resonates positively. I then find myself exploring that feeling, trying to understand what it evokes in me.
It all happens very quickly either there’s an instant connection or there isn’t. I’m particularly drawn to materiality and the way a piece is constructed: the interplay of textures, the combination of elements, colors, and the overall structure from a graphic perspective. This applies to art in the broadest sense, painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and beyond which is exactly what fascinates me: the endless possibilities of creation.
I can be just as captivated by a highly abstract piece, where texture, color, and form take center stage, as by something very concrete and narrative, which can deeply move me and resonate on a more personal, emotional level.
“Muse Studio is not just about showcasing artists,it’s about creating an emotional connection between art and people.”
2. Is there a feeling or an energy a piece of work has to give you before you'll consider featuring an artist through MUSE and how do you know when it's there?
Yes, building on my previous answer, there absolutely has to be something that happens: a real connection and an emotional response before I can even consider collaborating with an artist for Muse Studio. That’s essential.
(By “artist,” I really mean it in the broadest sense, it can also include entrepreneurs, independent shop owners, or people behind niche concepts. To me, they are artists in their own way. What matters is that there’s always a story behind what they create, and that’s what fascinates me. I see art as something very expansive, something that goes far beyond traditional definitions.)
However, it can happen that I genuinely like an artist or their work, but it doesn’t align with the narrative or universe I’ve created for Muse Studio.
In those cases, I won’t choose to feature them, because maintaining a strong sense of coherence and identity, both aesthetically and ethically, is very important to me. Following instinct and emotion is key, of course, but so is staying true to a clear vision and framework.
I would never present an artist whose work doesn’t move me or spark a meaningful emotion, but also not one who doesn’t fit within the studio’s overall direction.
Most of the time, it’s really about a “love at first sight” moment. Sometimes that connection comes from the artist’s personal journey, their story, their background, the behind-the-scenes which I find incredibly important, as I care deeply about storytelling. In those cases, their story can make me connect more deeply with their work.
But more often, it starts with an immediate attraction to the work itself, followed by a desire to discover and share the story behind it.
I’m also very drawn to unconventional paths artists who have reinvented themselves, who may have lived entirely different lives before embracing their creativity later on.
Those atypical journeys resonate with me personally, as I come from a non-traditional background myself, and that often creates an even stronger connection.
“I need to feel something real
before I can consider sharing it.”
3. What does it mean to you to support an artist not just show their work, but truly stand behind them?
To me, supporting an artist goes far beyond simply showcasing their work it’s about genuinely telling their story and helping them be seen and understood. When I founded Muse Studio, the initial idea was to bring together our shared expertise as four French women based in Brighton and to offer our services as a creative agency.
But very quickly, I felt the need to go further and explore art in a more meaningful, human way. I’ve always been deeply sensitive to artists and their work, and what has always fascinated me most is the human behind the creation, their journey, their craft, and the stories they carry.
Through my encounters, especially in a vibrant and artistic city like Brighton but also beyond, I’ve met incredibly talented people whose stories deserve to be shared. That’s what truly standing behind an artist means to me: giving them a platform, amplifying their voice, and creating space for their work and their story to resonate with others. Many artists are exceptionally talented but often struggle to promote themselves, so if I can contribute, even in a small way, to giving them more visibility, then that feels meaningful.
I also believe in building a sense of community, bringing together creative, passionate individuals to support one another and preserve a certain authenticity.
In a world that is evolving rapidly with technology and AI, it feels more important than ever to nurture these human connections and ensure that this artistic sensitivity, this craftsmanship, and these stories continue to exist and thrive.
Interviewed by Milene D.
“What fascinates me most is always
the human behind the creation.”