Crossword Genius

Not the location for an artist? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

studio

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'artist?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'not the location for an' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'not' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is located in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
'an' could be 'i' (Roman numeral for one) and 'i' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sud' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for studio that I've seen before include "Unpleasant vapour" , "Artist's workshop" , "Film company - artist's atelier" , "Centre for movie-making" , "Film production company" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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