Have you ever started creating without having any idea what the finished piece would look like?
That’s exactly how this journal page came together. I began with random line drawings using a watercolor pencil, simply letting my hand wander across the page. From those first lines, I started adding watercolor, playing with turquoise, orange, blue, and green. Circles, dots, patterns, and a little sparkle followed, and before I knew it, the page had taken on a life of its own.
Just Follow the Fun
I love when a journal page evolves this way. There’s no pressure to create something perfect and no need to have the whole thing figured out from the beginning. One mark leads to another, one color suggests the next, and suddenly you have something you never would have planned.
This colorful page was a fun reminder of why I enjoy art journaling so much. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply pick up a pencil, make a few marks, and see what happens.
And who knows? Maybe this little experiment will lead to something new. Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing more about that later this month.
Thank you for spending a little creative time with me today. I hope you find a few minutes to play and make something simply because it makes you happy.
As artists, it’s easy to fall into comfortable routines. We all have favorite colors and trusted techniques, but sometimes the best discoveries happen when we try something different.
This journal page began as an experiment. I rarely reach for black paint, especially in watercolor, but this time I thinned it slightly with water and let it flow across the page without a plan.
At first, it felt much darker than anything I normally create. Instead of starting over, I asked myself, “How can I make this feel more like me?” The answer was color.
Soft turquoise blues and cheerful pinks brought the page to life. White doodles, playful marks, and splatters added movement and whimsy, transforming the painting into something that felt much more like my style.
It reminded me that contrast isn’t something to avoid. The darker areas make the bright colors shine, just as life’s challenges often help us appreciate the joyful moments even more.
That’s why I love keeping an art journal. Not every page has to be a masterpiece. Some are simply a place to play, explore, and discover something new—and those unexpected experiments often become our favorites.
This page started with watered-down black paint, but it ended as a reminder that trying something outside our comfort zone can lead to beautiful surprises.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope this encourages you to try something new, whether it’s in your art or in everyday life. You might just surprise yourself.
One of the things I enjoy most about keeping an art journal is that there are no expectations. There isn’t a deadline to meet, or even a finished vision in my mind. It’s simply a place to play. This page is a perfect example.
When I first started painting, I had no idea where it was going. I created a light watercolor wash, then added more layers and a few unexpected colors, and slowly watched the page begin to tell its own story. The more I worked, the more it reminded me of an underwater world filled with coral, shimmering light, and tiny bubbles drifting through the sea.
The funny thing is, that wasn’t my plan at all. Sometimes the best ideas appear when we stop trying to control every brushstroke and simply allow ourselves to explore.
Art has a wonderful way of teaching us that creativity isn’t always about knowing the destination. Often, it’s about being willing to take the first step and trusting the process. Every experiment, every unexpected color combination, and every little “what if?” has the potential to lead somewhere beautiful. That’s true outside the studio, too.
Life is full of blank pages waiting to be explored. We don’t always know where a new opportunity, hobby, friendship, or idea will lead. If we never give ourselves permission to try something different, we may miss discovering something we truly love.
So don’t be afraid to experiment. Try a new technique. Use colors you’ve never paired together before. Create something without worrying about whether it’s perfect. You might surprise yourself.
This little journal page reminded me that some of the most interesting discoveries happen when we simply stay curious. After all, creativity isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about remaining open to possibilities. Who knows what beautiful idea is waiting for you on your next blank page?
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope this inspires you to explore something new today, whether it’s with a paintbrush or in another part of your life.
There’s something special about taking your sketchbook outdoors during the summer months. The warm sunshine, vibrant colors, and ever-changing scenery provide endless inspiration for creative exploration. Whether you’re spending time in your backyard, visiting a local park, traveling to a new destination, or simply relaxing on your porch, sketching can help you slow down and appreciate the beauty around you.
The best part? Your sketches don’t need to be perfect. Outdoor sketching is about observing, experimenting, and capturing moments that catch your eye.
When my children were young, I often packed a sketchbook, a set of watercolor pencils, and a paintbrush with a built-in water reservoir before heading to the beach. While they played in the sand and splashed in the waves, I would make quick sketches of the scene unfolding around me. They weren’t polished or perfect, but that was never the point. Those simple drawings captured moments that photographs often missed—the feeling of the day, the movement, the joy, and the memories being made.
Years later, I still enjoy flipping through those sketchbook pages. Each sketch brings back smiles and memories of those wonderful summer days. That’s one of the things I love most about sketching outdoors—it becomes more than art. It becomes a visual journal of experiences and moments you might otherwise forget.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few fun summer sketching ideas to take along on your next outdoor adventure.
1. Sketch Your Favorite Tree
Trees are full of interesting shapes and textures. Focus on the overall silhouette, twisting branches, or clusters of leaves. Every tree has its own personality, making it a wonderful subject for sketching.
2. Capture a Summer Garden
Flowers, butterflies, and garden pathways offer endless inspiration. A few simple lines and shapes can beautifully capture the feeling of a blooming garden.
3. Create a Nature Collection Page
Fill a page with small sketches of leaves, flowers, shells, feathers, rocks, or anything else you discover during your adventure. These collection pages are fun to create and enjoyable to revisit later.
4. Draw Waterfront Views
Whether you’re near the ocean, a lake, or a pond, try sketching the shoreline, gentle waves, or reflections on the water. Simple shapes and flowing lines can capture the peaceful atmosphere.
5. Sketch Your Travel Adventures
Bring a small sketchbook on road trips or vacations and create quick sketches of memorable places and moments. These pages become wonderful visual souvenirs.
6. Create a Summer Color Study
Use watercolor or colored pencils to capture the colors of a sunset, flower garden, or beach scene. These pages can become valuable references for future artwork.
7. Sketch What Brings You Joy
Sometimes the most meaningful sketches are the simplest. Your favorite iced coffee, a beach umbrella, a picnic setup, or a cozy reading spot can tell the story of your summer.
Simple Supplies to Bring Along
You don’t need a large collection of supplies to enjoy outdoor sketching. In fact, some of my favorite sketchbook memories were created with just a few portable supplies. Consider packing:
A small sketchbook
A pencil, pen, or watercolor pencils
A portable watercolor set (optional)
A water brush or paintbrush with a built-in water reservoir
A small pouch to keep everything organized
A lightweight folding chair or blanket if you’ll be sketching for a while
Keeping your supplies simple makes it easy to sketch whenever inspiration strikes, whether you’re at the beach, in a park, on a hiking trail, or relaxing in your own backyard.
Enjoy the Process
One of the greatest benefits of outdoor sketching is that it encourages us to slow down and notice the world around us. Instead of worrying about creating a masterpiece, focus on the experience itself. Observe the colors, textures, sounds, and details that make each location unique.
Your sketchbook doesn’t need perfect pages. It simply needs your observations, curiosity, and creativity.
Do you enjoy sketching outdoors? I’d love to hear about your favorite places to sketch or the subjects that inspire you most. Feel free to share in the comments below!
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope these summer sketching ideas inspire you to take your sketchbook outside and enjoy a season filled with creativity, exploration, and artistic discovery.
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time creating abstracts, so I felt like taking a little break and trying something different. Karen Campbell’s Wonky Woofers was the perfect choice. As I flipped through the book, Sweet Sadie immediately caught my eye. With her floppy ears, curly features, and sleepy little eyes, she was just too adorable to pass up.
It was such a fun change of pace to create something whimsical and playful instead of my usual abstracts, and Sweet Sadie certainly brought plenty of smiles to my studio.
Why Sweet Sadie Stole My Heart
One of my favorite things about Sweet Sadie is her peaceful expression. She looks completely content stretched out on the ground with her eyes gently closed, as if she’s having the best nap ever.
What made this project even more special is that my own furry baby, who recently turned two years old, is also named Sadie. In fact, this little Wonky Woofer looks a bit like her! Those floppy ears and sweet expression reminded me so much of my own girl, which made this project feel extra special.
The Joy of Trying Something Different
One of the things I love about creativity is that it doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes it’s about trying something different, having fun, and creating something that simply makes you smile.
As much as I love painting colorful abstracts, it was refreshing to switch gears and create something playful and lighthearted for a change.
Final Thoughts
Sweet Sadie may be taking a nap, but she certainly made a lasting impression on me. Between her floppy ears, gentle expression, and cozy pose, she’s a pup that’s hard to forget.
I’d love to hear about your furry baby! Share their name (and maybe a photo if you have one) in the comments below. 🐶💕
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope Sweet Sadie brought a smile to your face and inspired you to make a little time for creativity. Have a wonderful and creative day!
In a world that’s always “on,” taking a moment to unplug can feel… surprisingly hard. Notifications, emails, social media, endless scrolling—it all becomes part of our daily rhythm. But every now and then, stepping away from the noise can bring a kind of clarity and calm that’s truly refreshing.
Lately, I’ve been reminded of just how beautiful it is to disconnect—even for a little while.
There’s something incredibly grounding about putting the phone down, closing the laptop, and simply being present. Whether it’s sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, flipping through a favorite book, or spending time creating art without distractions, those unplugged moments feel fuller somehow—more real, more intentional.
If you’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed or scattered, a gentle digital detox might be just what you need. Here are a few simple ways to ease into it:
Start Small You don’t have to disappear for a week to feel the benefits. Try setting aside 30 minutes to an hour each day without screens. Even a short break can reset your mind.
Create Tech-Free Zones Designate certain spaces—like your bedroom or creative area—as no-phone zones. This helps protect your rest and your creativity.
Replace, Don’t Just Remove Instead of just cutting out screen time, fill that space with something nourishing. Journaling, painting, walking, or even just sitting quietly can be incredibly restorative.
Be Intentional with Your Time Online When you do go back to your devices, try to use them with purpose. Mindless scrolling can leave us feeling drained, while meaningful connection or inspiration can actually uplift us.
Reconnect with What Matters Unplugging creates space—space to think, feel, create, and reconnect with yourself. It’s in those quiet moments that inspiration often finds its way back in.
As someone who finds so much joy in creating, I’ve noticed that some of my most meaningful ideas come when I step away from the digital world and allow myself to just be. There’s a softness, a flow, and a sense of calm that naturally returns.
So today, maybe take a small step. Put the phone down. Step outside. Pick up a paintbrush. Or simply breathe in a quiet moment.
You might be surprised at the beauty you find in unplugging.
Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little time here with me. Wishing you a peaceful, creative, and wonderful day ✨
I have some exciting news to share with you. The other day while browsing in Barnes & Noble, I came across the latest issue of Stampington’s Somerset Studio Magazine. Late last year I submitted my accordion art journal for their “With Flying Color” Challenge, so imagine my surprise when I discovered that my piece received an honorable mention!
While I didn’t have an article published this time, photos of my art journal appear on pages 142–143, which was such a wonderful moment to see.
Sometimes creativity has a beautiful way of lifting our spirits, and seeing my journal in print thanks to Stampington Somerset Studio was such a bright moment this week—a wonderful reminder of the joy of creating.
This week has been an emotional one for me after losing my sweet Chanel just a few days ago. Seeing my colorful journal layout unexpectedly in the magazine felt like a little ray of light right when I needed it most. The happy colors and playful design instantly made me think of her and brought a smile to my heart.
Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend ahead! 🎨✨
I’ll be honest—my art creations have slowed down a little lately. And honestly? I’m okay with that. One reason is that it’s the holidays, and I’ve been soaking up the season as much as possible: the little moments, the cozy pauses, the magic that always shows up this time of year. The second reason is a bit more behind-the-scenes—I’ve been working on plans to add a shop directly to this website. That means if Etsy isn’t your thing, you’ll soon be able to browse all of my artwork and shop right here, no extra accounts or steps required. I’m really excited about that next chapter.
As for this piece, it came from a place of play. No pressure, no rigid plan—just colors, shapes, and curiosity. It lives somewhere between abstract and impressionism, and I kind of like that it doesn’t fully commit to either. The florals feel loose and expressive, and the bold reds, warm yellows, and fresh greens felt absolutely perfect for the season. It was one of those sessions where experimenting was the whole point, and the joy was in seeing what would happen next.
Sometimes creativity—and really, life in general—doesn’t need to be about productivity or progress. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up, enjoying the moment, and letting yourself follow what feels good without overthinking it. This piece reminded me of that, and maybe it’s a gentle reminder for you too. 💛
What do you see when you look at it? Flowers in full bloom, festive energy, or just a burst of happy color? I’d love to know.
Wishing you a truly wonderful, magical day✨ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Art journaling is such a fun way to play and get in some practice at the same time. It’s the perfect space to try out new ideas, techniques, tools, and colors without any pressure—just pure creativity.
When I make these abstract pieces, I love how the shapes and colors take on a life of their own. Simply using more or less water can create the coolest organic effects. Whether I’m brushing wet paint onto dry paper or working wet-on-wet, the results are always different, and honestly, always a little surprising!
This piece was created in my Strathmore Watercolor Journal using only three shades of blue. I added some line work and fun details with Posca pens and gold metallic markers. It turned into an interesting little design that really invites you to stop and look a bit closer.
Whatever your passion is, keep practicing and nurturing it. Doing what you love brings so much joy—and it’s amazing to see how your skills grow along the way.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
I’ve always been amazed at how a face can tell a whole story without saying a single word. One glance can share a feeling, a mood, or even a little secret. That’s why I love creating faces so much. Whether they turn out whimsical, serious, detailed, or abstract, each one brings its own unique emotion.
This particular piece was a fun practice session in my Strathmore watercolor soft-cover journal. It’s one of my first portraits using acrylic paints and inks. There were parts I really enjoyed and a few things I didn’t love as much—like blending the skin tones. I find that so much easier with watercolor, probably because I’m more used to working with it. But trying something new is all part of the adventure, right?
I still think about some of my very first watercolor portraits… those faces were definitely on the blotchy side! But that’s the beauty of learning—practice really does make a difference.
I’ve been rethinking a few things behind the scenes, so you’ll be seeing some changes coming to my Etsy shop and this site soon. I’m still working out the details, but I’ll keep you updated as everything comes together.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you a bright, happy week ahead.
