When small actions add up (plus, a birthday giveaway and new paintings!)

“We can always choose to perceive things differently. We can focus on what’s wrong in our lives, or we can focus on what’s right” Marianne Williamson

 

Today is my 33rd birthday.

I began my creative journey not long before I turned 30. Turning 30 didn’t scare me, but I was determined to enter a new decade feeling excited about the direction of my life. Having zero clues about where to begin, I started simply dreaming about what I’d like to offer the world.

I didn’t open my art shop / website to the public until late June after my 31st birthday – that’s how long it took me to discover my path, research the steps, and paint a first collection. I remember that year of discovery felt endless as I so badly wanted to begin my new life, but what I couldn’t see at the time were the wheels I’d already set in motion.

I couldn’t see that the late nights of slowly learning how to paint, the lunch breaks at my 9-5 job spent researching shipping restrictions and packaging, the daily to-dos that always seemed to multiply – all of it proved that my new life had already begun.

 

 

I spent more time than I’d like wanting to rush the beginning stages and skip to a time when I was already successful. I spent time worrying that I’d never find my style. I doubted that I’d ever have enough knowledge and energy to make my dream a reality.

And still: time passed and my little daily steps built one upon the next.

I remember some of the most influential advice I received in the early days: You can commit to the hard years of stretching outside your comfort zone or you can spend those same years doing what you’re used to – the time will pass regardless. The question is what do you want your life to look like in 1 year / 5 years / 10 years?

And now: time continues to pass and my little daily steps continue to build one upon the next.

Each birthday I look back and see the past year not as a marker of my getting older, but rather as proof that I’ve continued to stretch outside of my comfort zone for another full year. I’m still not out of the hard years, but I’ve also discovered the joy in trusting my journey, knowing I’ll end up where I’m supposed to be with time.

It’s all about perception.

I’d love if you’d take a moment to think back on the past year. What’s gone right for you this year? What’s made you happy? What’s moved you in a positive direction?

Celebrate your life with me, friend! Let’s honor the good.

 

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The last time I posted I wasn’t sure what I’d paint next, but a fun suggestion from one of my sisters made it clear: OTTERS!

It turns out otters often hold paws when they sleep so they don’t float away from each other. I loved that discovery so much that I included two in my initial sketch:

 

 

There they are floating down the river in their best hats.

I next added the first layers of water:

 

 

And then the next layers. I experimented with the ripples of water here, using lots of different ink colors to show a shifting river:

 

 

Next I worked on the otters themselves, giving them matching bright hats and the little hearts that have been making their way into so many of my recent animal paintings. I seriously love hearts and all they represent.

I also finished the background, adding gold reeds and friendly blue fish.

Here’s the final painting: 

 

 

I’m so happy with their sleepy afternoon and their connecting paws. I especially love the sweet reminder to hold on to our loved ones so that we never float away from each other.

 

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As I began the sketch for my next painting, I kept thinking about my initial goal of 10 paintings before the spring was up. The goal was a bit overwhelming back in February considering how full my life felt, but I tried to focus on one sketch, then on one painting stage, at a time.

Slowly but surely the collection grew until here I am on #10.

Meet mama bird and her baby:

 

 

I think it’s a fitting painting to conclude the initial animal collection, considering that we’ll have our own baby to care for in a few weeks.

I’ll share the next stages / final painting in the next blog, but feel free to check out my Instagram or Facebook pages to see the painting stages along the way!

 

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I’ve been thinking over the past few weeks about how I’d like to honor my birthday this year and the celebration of another year making this creative journey a priority.

I’ve kept coming back to this: I’d love to offer something that can truly reflect how much my creativity has shifted and grown over this year.

 

It’s time for a BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY! 

 

My abstract painting collection has a special place in my heart, as it reflects a time when I tried something completely new. I don’t think I’d be experimenting as much with my paintings today if I hadn’t explored abstracts first, and I’m so grateful for what they taught me about color, about shape, and about taking chances.

I’d love to share that spirit with all of you, but for one winner I’ll be gifting an original painting from my abstract collection! I’m not currently selling my abstracts online anywhere and I’m so excited to send one of my beloved paintings to a good new home.

Here are the available designs (the winner can pick whichever one he/she wants). All paintings are 8×8 except for the top left, which is 10×8, and all are 3/4″ deep.

 

One runner-up will receive an assorted pack of 6 abstract note cards (designs TBD).

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THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Thank you to everyone who participated. 

The winners have been selected as of May 29:

Painting: Kelli

Note cards: Jean

Congrats to Kelli and Jean!

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To enter, simply comment on this post and tell me one positive thing that’s happened for you this year. 

 

I will randomly select a winner / runner-up on Sunday May 29, alert both via email, and update this post the same day. A few notes:

• One entry per person, please!
• I will cover all shipping costs
• Feel free to enter if you live outside of the USA, though you will be responsible for any potential customs fees when the package enters your country

I’m grateful for the moments that make us slow down enough to celebrate where we’ve come from, and for all the little steps that lead us to where we are today.

 

Here’s to another beautiful year. 

 

With love,