Big news (plus, painting progress and a thank you discount)

“‘Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart'” A. A. Milne 

This has been such a year of change.

As I’m sure is true for many of us, change for me can be simultaneously wonderful, unpredictable, difficult, and needed. I’ve done my best over the past several months to navigate a huge upcoming change in my life. Here’s the image my husband Eric and I shared recently from our family Easter egg hunt:

Ahhh!

We’re expecting a baby (due June 29, 2016), which means I’ve been navigating pregnancy for the past 27 weeks in addition to the business.

There’s been sickness, excitement, and worry. There’s been lots of joy and plenty of overwhelming exhaustion. I’m still figuring out what my summer will look like, so I’ll tell you more once I know. Regardless, I’m thrilled to finally share my news with you!

Planning for a baby has also had an impact I didn’t necessarily anticipate: I’ve had increasing clarity about my artistic style and path.

Perhaps it’s the time crunch of knowing that my life is about to change in a few months. Perhaps it’s a more soul-level acknowledgement of how much I’ve always loved artwork and books suitable for children.  Perhaps I’ve tried enough painting styles this year to be narrowing down what delights me (and others!).

Whatever the reasons, the style of my animal series is filling me up with joy. I love painting the innocence of animals and including little whimsical details. I love stepping just outside of reality to add a little magic and fantasy. I love dreamy, bold colors and creating a loving connection between different species or with the natural world.

My heart feels the shift, and it’s palpable.  

I’m feeling amazed and grateful that I’ve kept going and trying over the past few years even when I was full of doubt, grateful for everything that got me here to this point of clarity and excitement.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is to always keep going / trying / experimenting, even when the full path is not yet clear.

Especially when the full path is not yet clear.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

In the last blog I shared my in-progress whale painting with you, and here’s where we left off:

I next added lots of extra little details and colors to the ocean and fish, as well as some definition to the sun and clouds. Here’s where the final painting ended up:

I especially love the bright pop of pink in the fish, and the patterned paper shining through each whale.

♥

I then started my next painting, which features a giraffe in a fancy hat.

The painting began with two sketches (the original rough sketch and the more careful sketch on my good painting paper):

Eric challenged me to use more warm colors in this painting, so I began with bright magenta in the sky and a yellowy-orange body for ms. giraffe:

Next I filled in the body, increased the saturation a bit, and began to add a little more detail:

Here’s a detail view of her face / hat:

I next filled in the hills with a turquoise wash and gold detailing:

And here’s the final painting. I added another bird, switched up some colors, and added a rain of little gold droplets in the sky:

Eric and I are currently working on turning all of the new animal paintings into prints and cards. The first batch will be available soon!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Last but not least, I have a special discount for you:

This one-use discount is a big thank you to all new friends who join my newsletter list. Thank you! If you’re not signed up, you can sign up here and grab your discount code: http://eepurl.com/VYzRr.

If you’re already a subscriber, never fear! Check today’s newsletter for the code. Major gratitude for joining me on this journey.

♥

Live with intention. / Walk to the edge. / Listen hard. / Practice wellness. / Play with abandon. / Laugh. / Choose with no regret. / Appreciate your friends. / Continue to learn. / Do what you love. / Live as if this is all there is. (Mary Ann Radmacher).

Here’s to a big year!

With love,