Let change flow (plus: an updated painting!)

“Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like” Lao Tzu 

I’d put together this graphic for a recent social media post and it struck me how much my art has changed over just a few short years. Here I am with some of my favorite designs:

Magical things (plus: new art!)

“The universe is full of magical things” Eden Phillpotts 

Whenever I’m having a hard day, I try to remember that there is magic everywhere.

The definition of magic has never been straightforward for me, of course. When I think of magic, I’m not thinking of tricks or illusions. Instead, I think of stars glittering through the sky. I think of rainbows. I think of being with someone at just the time when they need it most. I think of color and music and flowers. I think of unexpected friendship and love.

Walk with the dreamers (new art in progress!)

“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it” Wilferd Peterson 

Walk with the dreamers.

I’m happy to say that being part of the Make Art That Sells portfolio class continues to fuel both my imagination and my creative spirit. I love, love, love being surrounded by such motivated people (this in itself has pushed me to keep creating new art) and I’ve been having so much fun.

We had another mini assignment at the beginning of February, the prompt was ‘tea,” and we could interpret the assignment however we wished. Since I adore drawing animals, I decided to paint a bear floating in her favorite teacup to watch the stars. Here was an initial sketch I did while I sat in the car and waited for Isaac to wake up from his nap:

February: More art in progress!

Hello, February!

This is the hardest time of year for me (I much prefer warmer weather), and sketching and painting have been such a welcome respite from the cold. When I last wrote I’d been working on a book cover for kids. The assignment: what’s in JK Rowling’s bag?

The cover is now finished! I’d already do so many things differently, but that’s the fun and useful thing about learning, isn’t it?

Here’s where the cover ended up:

Try something new today (plus: art in progress!)

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today” Indian Proverb

I love the idea that each little seed we plant, whether that be an action, conversation, idea, or intention, creates space for something new and beautiful to bloom in future days.

I see this art class I’m taking (Lilla Rogers’ portfolio bootcamp) as a large number of those little seeds.

If you remember from my last post, I’d done a mini assignment of things I carry around with me in my bag.

We all need a little color (plus: another new painting!)

“Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing?” Picasso 

Holding all of us in my heart this morning in the wake of more tragedy. I took this photo the other day of Isaac and a friend hugging and it’s been the reminder I’ve needed that love is still a strong force that all of us can hold on to no matter what.

And in my art world lately: one of my favorite parts of painting is layering different colors near one another and feeling that little jolt of joy when they make each other brighter and more vibrant. Certain colors combinations do this naturally (like orange and blue, green and red, yellow and purple), but there are so many variations to try.

When I set out to create this new piece, my goal was a simple layout, a simple background, and a vibrant little character full of color.

Here’s where the painting started:

Love is a gift (plus: my new whale painting)

“Everyone knows how to love because we were born with that gift” Paulo Coelho 

I love this idea that love is a gift we all have access to and that we all share.

When life is hard, lean into love and embrace the support you find there. When the path isn’t clear, lean into love to help clear your senses. Then fear erupts, let love soothe your spirit. The simplicity appeals so much to me and helps me to appreciate the different ways love shows up in our lives every single day.

Recently we went on an apple picking trip and I snapped a quick photo of Eric up on a ladder and little Isaac eating an apple below. I adore this photo for the red spots of apple peeking through the green, the big expanse of sky, my little family sharing an experience, the rush of gratitude I feel for capturing this new memory.

A new painting from start to finish (plus: I’m glad to be back!)

“Always remember to judge everything by your inner feeling of bliss” Osho 

Hello again!

It feels simultaneously like no time has passed and like years have passed since I last wrote an update (in reality it’s been a little over a month). I needed the mental break and the time to create new art and connect with my family before a very busy Fall. It felt good to take the break and it feels good to be back.

The past few weeks have been tumultuous for so many (most recently: the devastation in Texas). If you’ve been seeking a concrete way to help Houston families put their lives back together, here’s a great way to help. I know we’re now all watching and praying that the next hurricane drops in strength before it nears land. My heart is with you, friends.

Here’s what I’ve been up to during the month of August:

We took a trip up to Maine with family to stay on one of the lakes. Here’s the view:

When happiness glimmers, Isaac’s birthday, and the final days of the birthday sale!

“Think of all the beauty that is still left around you and be happy” Anne Frank

I hope you’re in the midst of a wonderful  morning / week. Over here, the past few weeks have been so disorienting.

Isaac started to get sick on May 24th and it very quickly became clear that we were in for quite the ride. He’s never been sick before and whatever virus this was hit very hard, to the point where we’ve been in and out of the doctor’s office for everything from high fevers to pink eye to an ear infection, he’s still not fully better 2 weeks later, and Eric and I are still recovering as well.

Here’s how we’ve spent a lot of our time recently:

I’m going to feel immensely grateful for our health when it returns. In the meantime, we’ve tried to find pockets of happiness as we can, such as quietly celebrating Isaac’s 1st birthday at the beginning of the week.

I can’t believe he’s 1!