Category Archives: Creative Process

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!

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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!

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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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The Magic of Layering: Creating Sunset Lake Scenes

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I love experimenting in my abstract paintings, allowing each piece to evolve organically with textures, layers, and unexpected materials. Recently, I incorporated a unique twist into one of my works—a piece of cloth seamlessly blended into the paint. I didn’t have a set vision when I started, but as I layered colors and textures, something magical emerged.

Somehow, it transformed into a scene that reminds me of a sunset by the lake—a warm glow reflecting off the water, the sky shifting through soft gradients of color, and a sense of peaceful movement. That’s one of the things I adore about abstract art: the way it unfolds in unexpected ways, sometimes revealing emotions, memories, or entire landscapes you didn’t consciously set out to create.

This piece also reminded me why I love experimenting with different materials—whether it’s textiles, textured pastes, or metallic finishes, they add unexpected depth and intrigue. Pushing the boundaries of my work keeps the creative process exciting and full of discovery. I encourage anyone creating art to embrace playfulness, let go of expectations, and see where the materials take you.

But art is deeply personal, and the beauty of abstraction is that each viewer brings their own perspective. What do you see in this piece? A distant horizon? Gentle waves? A completely different story? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

✨ Wishing you a weekend filled with creativity, inspiration, and a touch of magic! ✨💫

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Unique Techniques for Stunning Abstract Watercolors

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Lately, I’ve been exploring new abstract designs, color combinations, and techniques to bring more depth and intrigue to my art. Some mediums have quickly become favorites, while others… not so much. But that’s the beauty of the creative journey—learning, experimenting, and discovering along the way!

One of the most magical parts of this process is working with watercolors. When creating these abstracts, you never quite know how the final piece will turn out. The paints mix and mingle in unexpected ways, forming unique colors and organic shapes that make each piece one of a kind.

This 4×6 inch watercolor abstract was an experiment with a new color combination that I instantly fell in love with. After the first layer dried, I built up the vibrancy with additional layers, enhancing the depth and shading. To finish, I added touches of gold pen and a bit of glitter for that extra magical glow. To me, it feels like a peaceful lake at sunset, with cattails swaying along the shore.

What do you see in it?

Wishing you a day filled with creativity, inspiration, and a little touch of magic! ✨

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Maximize Your Art Supplies: Creative Uses for Leftover Paint

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Art supplies can be pricey, so I never like to waste any of them—especially paint. Instead of letting those last bits dry up on my palette, I use them to start a new journal page. It’s a simple but effective way to get the most out of your materials while keeping your creativity flowing. Even if you need to add a little more of certain colors, you’ll already have a great starting point without feeling like anything has gone to waste.

That’s exactly how I created this vibrant, abstract background. I applied the paint with a brush and also used my fingers to blend and add texture. There’s something so freeing about working with your hands—it creates a natural, organic feel that’s hard to replicate with a brush alone. Sometimes, I’ll wear a latex glove, depending on the medium, which helps keep my hands clean and prevents certain paints from staining.

Using up leftover paint like this isn’t just practical; it also sparks new ideas. A random splash of color can turn into an inspiring background for future layers—whether that’s collage, mark-making, or even a full painting. If you’ve ever hesitated before cleaning your brush or palette, try dabbing that extra paint onto a blank page instead. You might be surprised at the creative possibilities that unfold!

Do you have a favorite way to use up leftover paint? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear how you make the most of your supplies!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you a fantastic weekend filled with joy and creativity! 😊🎨✨

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P.S. I’m launching a new YouTube Channel where I’ll be sharing how-to and inspirational videos to ignite your creativity! If there’s something specific you’d love to see, let me know, and I’ll do my best to bring it to life. This is my very first upload—a short video as I get the hang of things—but stay tuned, because exciting content is on the way!

Discover the Magic of Spontaneity in Art

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Do you ever start a project with one idea in mind, only to watch it take on a completely different direction? That’s exactly what happened in my latest art journal layout!

I began with a loose, abstract background and added some handwritten thoughts. Layers of acrylic inks came next, creating rich textures and pops of color. It felt fun and free, so I kept building—adding more layers with acrylic paint and pens to deepen the design.

Then, something magical happened. As I worked, shapes started to appear. Before I knew it, a big pink heart and delicate flowers seemed to bloom right out of the page! 🌸💕

It wasn’t planned, but sometimes that’s the beauty of art. Creativity has a way of leading you where it wants to go. This spontaneous burst of love-filled energy reminded me how important it is to stay open to the unexpected. When we let go of rigid expectations, beautiful surprises emerge.

What can I say? I’m definitely in love mode today! 💖

I hope this journal spread inspires you to embrace happy accidents in your creative practice, too. After all, art is as much about the journey as the final result—and there’s so much joy to be found when we allow the process to flow.

I’d love to hear how your creative projects have taken unexpected turns! Share your experiences or artwork inspired by this post in the comments, or tag me on Instagram @flowingwatersart. Let’s inspire each other and celebrate the beauty of creativity!

Wishing you a weekend filled with love, creativity, and a touch of magic!

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Happy New Year 2025!

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As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support over the past year. May this new year bring fresh inspiration, exciting creative journeys, and endless opportunities to grow and express yourself. Here’s to a year filled with joy, art, and all the beautiful moments that await. Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and Inspiring 2025!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Thoughtful Thursday: Unlock Your Creative Flow: Embrace Stillness After the Holidays

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After the excitement of Christmas, the days that follow often bring a welcomed stillness. The hustle and bustle fade, leaving a perfect opportunity to embrace creativity in its quietest form. It’s in these peaceful moments that we can reconnect with ourselves and our art.

For me, the days after the holiday season are the ideal time to recharge and reflect. With the distractions gone, I find inspiration in the calm—whether it’s through journaling, sketching, or diving into a new painting. This space allows room for ideas to flourish, and for many artists, it’s a time to explore projects that have been on the back burner.

If you’re looking to use this time creatively, consider starting a new art challenge or revisiting a journal you’ve set aside. Sometimes, even the simple act of picking up a paintbrush or pen can unlock a world of ideas. The key is to embrace the stillness, let your mind wander, and allow your art to take shape in the quiet.

As the year wraps up, take time to embrace the quiet and let your creativity flow. Whether revisiting old projects or starting fresh, these peaceful moments offer the perfect opportunity to recharge and inspire your next artistic journey.

I hope you found this post inspiring, thanks for stopping by!

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