Category Archives: Creative Process

The Joy of Playful Art: A Seasonal Reflection

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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!

Share the Happy ❤️

Whispers of Light: A Painting Comes to Life

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Some paintings take their time with me. They don’t rush, and they don’t reveal everything at once. Whispers of Light, my newest 18×24 inch abstract, is one of those pieces.

It started months ago with soft washes of color and textured movement layered onto canvas. I blogged about it back in May—how I paused at midnight, resisting the urge to keep going, and waited for the morning light to guide me. That moment of stillness helped me see the work with fresh eyes. I didn’t know it at the time, but that pause was part of the painting’s story too.

As I added final touches in the weeks that followed, I kept returning to that early light—the quiet, glowing energy that filtered through the window that morning. The colors in this piece—turquoise, rose, golden peach, and warm earth tones—carry a softness, a hush, almost like a breath between thoughts. There’s boldness in the movement, yes, but also a sense of calm rising through the layers.

That’s where the title came from. Whispers of Light felt right—it speaks to the way this piece came together: slowly, gently, and with trust in the quiet moments.

Now that it’s finished, I feel both proud and at peace with it. It’s a reminder to listen to intuition, to light, to softness. To know when to pause, and when to move forward.

Thank you for following along on this painting’s journey—it means so much to have you here.

💫 Have you ever worked on something that unfolded slowly and surprised you in the end? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Wishing you a weekend full of quiet joy and radiant little whispers of your own.

Share the Happy 💖

Building Layers in My Art Journal – Part 2!

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There’s nothing quite like watching a page come to life, one layer at a time. In this week’s YouTube video, I continue working in my new handmade art journal—this time adding vibrant layers of paint to the textured background I created in Part 1!

I used some of my favorite colors to build depth and interest: DecoArt Baby Pink, Golden Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Golden Teal (Blue Lagoon), Lukas Titanium White, Liquitex Cadmium Orange, and a bit of Liquitex Glazing Medium to tie everything together. I also pulled out my trusty brushes, a silicone tool, and even a Catalyst for some expressive mark-making!

🎨 Haven’t seen Part 1 yet? I created the base using Tim Holtz collage sheets and vintage book pages. I’m also planning to incorporate some dreamy digital images from CherylFrancisArt on Etsy—stay tuned for those in upcoming pages 💕

🎥 Watch the new video here: Maria FlowingWatersArt

I’d love to know—what’s your favorite part of the process so far? Do you enjoy building up layers with color, or do you prefer collage and texture?

Let me know in the comments or over on YouTube—I always enjoy connecting with fellow creatives!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!

Share the Happy💖

Vibrant Watercolor Abstracts Inspired by Summer

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Summer is such a wonderful time to slow down a little—soaking up the sunshine, enjoying warm breezes, and maybe even gathering around the grill for barbecues and s’mores (I’m a fan of the dark chocolate kind!).

That easygoing, feel-good energy has definitely made its way into the studio lately. I’ve been playing with new color combinations that feel just as vibrant and full of life as summer itself. These latest watercolor abstracts came together with a mix of sap green, yellow, and turquoise—a palette that reminds me of leafy greens, golden light, and those carefree outdoor moments we all look forward to.

There was no big plan when I started—just a curiosity to see how these colors would play together on the page. I let each layer unfold naturally, blending and overlapping, following the movement of the water and trusting the process.

To add a little extra magic, I brought in some gold metallic watercolor. I love how it shimmers in the light—just enough to give the piece a bit of glow without overpowering the softness of the paint.

Each piece came out a little different, but they all share that same layered energy—spontaneous, organic, and full of little surprises. It’s always fun to step back and notice the textures, tiny details, and unexpected shapes that show up along the way.

Lately, I’ve been reminded how energizing it is to try something new, especially with color. Just letting go and seeing where it takes you.

Do you have a favorite? I’m always curious what colors or details people connect with most.

Thanks for dropping in! Wishing you a weekend filled with color, joy, and a little time to play.

Share the Happy💖

Creating Vibrant Abstract Paintings

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Two weeks ago, I shared an abstract painting born from tool experimentation—and I couldn’t stop at just one! This follow-up piece leans into bolder, more saturated colors: electric blues, vibrant greens, and deep purples, with bursts of gold and playful pink marks. I continued to use my silicone wedge tools and non-traditional brushes to apply and scrape paint, letting the layers build and textures emerge.

What I love most about this piece is how it feels alive—there’s energy in the jagged lines, soft scribbles, and dots that dance across the surface. I didn’t overthink it. I just let the colors lead and responded in the moment.

Sometimes, breaking away from the “right way” to use a tool opens the door to something unexpected—and beautiful.

Thanks so much for stopping by and joining me on this creative journey. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Exploring Playful Abstract Art Techniques

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This playful abstract emerged from a session of pure experimentation. I challenged myself to use familiar tools in unfamiliar ways—flipping brushes, dragging paint with unexpected edges, and layering with silicone paint brushes. The result? A vibrant swirl of turquoise, chartreuse, and magenta, accented by whimsical dot patterns and textural scribbles.

I didn’t set out with a plan—just a curiosity about what would happen if I let the tools guide me instead of the other way around. It was liberating to loosen control and trust the process. The spiral shapes, scattered blocks, and spontaneous marks became a visual journal of that exploration.

This piece is a reminder: sometimes the best discoveries come when you stop trying to make “art” and just start playing.

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek into my creative experiments. Wishing you a colorful, joy-filled weekend—see you next time!

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Trusting the Process in Abstract Art Creation

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A Painting in Progress

Working on these abstract paintings is always an adventure—each layer tells part of the story, even the ones that get buried beneath others. This 18×24 inch piece has been evolving for quite some time now. I’ve been adding layers slowly, letting each one guide the next, and I’m finally starting to fall in love with it.

The Midnight Pause

There’s always a point in the process where I feel the urge to keep going—adding more color, more movement, more energy. Last night was one of those moments. I was tempted to keep layering well past midnight, but something told me to pause. So I listened. I stepped away and promised myself I’d take another look in the morning with fresh eyes. I’m so glad I did.

A Fresh Look in the Morning

This morning, I brought the painting into a sunnier room and propped it up by the window. The natural light made the colors come alive in such a lovely way. I sat there with my delicious chocolate shake, just soaking it all in—and that’s when it hit me: it didn’t need much more. Maybe just a few soft lines or subtle shapes, but nothing major. For now, it feels close to complete. And that feels really good.

Trusting the Process

It’s moments like these that remind me why I love making art—learning to trust the quiet pauses just as much as the bold brushstrokes.

Let’s Chat!

Have you ever taken a break from something creative, then come back to it with fresh eyes? I’d love to hear how that’s worked for you—feel free to share in the comments!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you a beautiful and relaxing weekend!

Share the Happy 💖

Creative Ways to Enhance Your Concertina Art Journal

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I’ve been having a bit of fun and working in my concertina art journal also known as an accordion journal. The next four pages burst with layered whimsy and creative reuse. I started with collaged butterflies—each one crafted from stash papers I had previously made. Their wings are full of bright colors and lively movement, bringing a sense of flight across the spread.

To add a bit more charm, I included collaged pieces from an old book page and sketched in snippets of musical notes. They bring just the right touch of vintage whimsy. I also added gold pen accents that catch the light in such a lovely way, tying everything together with a gentle shimmer. One page has a leafy collage that helps ground the butterflies and adds a sweet little nod to nature.

On the far right page, I included a small pocket—just big enough to hold a hand drawn woven paper and a cut-down strip from a loose watercolor painting. It’s a little surprise tucked into the page, inviting interaction and a closer look.

This spread is all about play, texture, and transformation—breathing new life into forgotten bits and well-loved papers. I had so much fun watching it all come together, layer by layer.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my latest concertina journal pages! Do you have favorite treasures hiding in your stash that always inspire you? I’d love to hear what you’ve been making—feel free to share in the comments.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend ahead!

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Exploring the Magic of Accordion Art Journals

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There’s something uniquely delightful about working in a handmade journal and letting creativity spill across the pages. Lately, I’ve been diving into my very own and first, accordion-concertina art journal, that is part of the Art Sparks online course by the ever-inspiring Joanne Sharpe (@joannesharpe). If you’ve ever taken one of her classes, you already know how her imaginative approach fuels fresh ideas and brings your creative energy to life. If not, I can’t recommend her courses enough—every lesson feels like a personal invitation to play.

My first few journal pages are coming to life with vibrant layers of color, cut-out flowers, and collaged whimsical shapes—all brought together with two delightful little pockets tucked into the left and right sides. While I might go back and add a few more details here and there, I’m giving myself the gift of time—letting the ideas simmer, evolve, and grow organically. This slow, joyful approach is a beautiful reminder that art doesn’t always need to be rushed. It’s not about the finish line; it’s about what we learn along the way.

What’s stood out to me in this process is how art journaling builds a daily habit of learning. Each time I sit down, I discover something new—about color, composition, or even my own creative moods. Sometimes it’s a technical insight, like balancing a busy page; other times, it’s simply about letting go and enjoying the moment. Art journaling invites constant exploration, and the accordion format makes it all the more playful and satisfying as it unfolds.

If you’ve never tried working in an accordion-concertina journal, I highly recommend giving it a go. The continuous flow of the pages invites new perspectives and ideas that just don’t happen in a traditional book layout. There’s something magical about seeing your artwork stretch and connect across folds—it feels alive.

Have you ever experimented with this kind of journal? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s chat!

Wishing you a wonderfully creative weekend, thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy💖

New Colorful Abstract Paintings from the Studio

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Lately, I’ve been diving into playful designs and new exciting colors, and I just finished two new abstract paintings that I’m excited to share! Each piece is a little world of movement and energy, inspired by my love of color and spontaneous mark-making.

One of them boasts deep, rich browns that immediately made me think of dark chocolate (because, let’s be honest, chocolate is always on my mind! 🍫). The other takes a softer approach, with soothing blues and gentle pinks that bring a sense of calm and tranquility. Together, they form a beautifully balanced duo—one bold and indulgent, the other serene and dreamy!

I can’t wait to get these up in my Etsy Shop, which will hopefully soon🤞. Until then, I’d love to know—what colors are inspiring you lately?

Wishing you a creative and colorful weekend and thanks for stopping by! ✨

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