Small Art, Big Impact: Exploring Zentangles in a Mini Journal

I recently found the perfect watercolor journal on Etsy at the WanderersPalette—a 4.75-inch square hot press journal with 140 lb watercolor paper. I usually go for cold press, but I wanted something smoother for my zentangle designs, and I’m so glad I made the switch! The size is just right—not too big, not too small—making it ideal for quick designs, especially when I’m on the go.

Whenever I feel stuck on a painting or need something calming, I love creating small designs in this journal. It’s so satisfying to finish a piece in a short time, and the repetitive patterns really help slow my thoughts down—a process I’ve come to enjoy deeply.

Since this is a fairly new journal, I’ll be filling it up with more zentangle designs. But these are the first three, and I hope they inspire you to create your own!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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“Every artist was first an amateur.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thoughtful Thursday Childhood Wisdom

Artwork by Maria Vidaurre

John Lennon once shared a profound childhood memory: “When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

This simple yet powerful anecdote underscores a timeless truth often lost in the hustle of modern life. As children, we inherently grasp that happiness is the ultimate goal, unclouded by societal expectations and pressures. Lennon’s mother instilled in him a wisdom that many spend a lifetime seeking—valuing happiness above all else.

When young Lennon responded with “happy” to the question of future aspirations, it highlighted a profound understanding that fulfillment isn’t about titles or achievements but about joy and contentment. His teachers’ reaction exemplifies a common misconception: equating success with external accomplishments rather than inner well-being.

Lennon’s words remind us to realign our priorities, to seek joy in our everyday lives rather than in the relentless pursuit of societal standards of success. In essence, understanding life truly means cherishing happiness as our ultimate aim.

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Growth Art Journal

I love to create in my journal in between studio projects, it’s a creative sanctuary for me. I found this image of flowers in an old Romantic Homes magazine and couldn’t resist creating a journal spread around it. I fell in love with the vibrant springtime vibe it had.

Beginning with the blank canvas in one of my favorite Strathmore watercolor journals (7.75×9.75″), I let my thoughts flow onto the page. Layer by layer, I added pieces of decoupaged tissue papers and snippets from old books, creating an interesting textured background. I used everything in my studio from watercolors to acrylic paints, pens, colored pencils, and even a sprinkle of glitter, to add depth and dimension to the design.

I finished it off with a quote by Steven McCanie:

“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”

May this glimpse into my creative journey inspire you today. Thanks for stopping by!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Gratitude Words of Wisdom

I am passionate about self improvement and feel there is always room to grow. This is a heartfelt quote I wrote which resonates deeply with me and is displayed on my art journaling page:

“Life is precious and if you’re not careful will pass you by if you don’t stop to smell the roses.”

These words serve as a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life. Even though there may be days filled with chaos, it’s important to remember special moments, no matter how small and reflect upon them with gratitude.

As we journey through life, let’s cherish each moment and embrace the beauty that surrounds us. May we find solace and inspiration in the simple joys of everyday life.

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!!

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Moving forward Art Journal

Most of you may know, I’m a bit of a color nut and love painting in bright bold colors. But I thought I’d challenge myself to create a journal layout using only white and gray. It was much harder than I thought but this was my creation in my Strathmore 7.75×9.75″ watercolor journal.

There are lots of layers and texture. Plus I added a quote which reads: “Sometimes to move forward we must face our innermost darkest fears.”

This wasn’t intended to be sad but instead a gentle reminder. Life will throw many obstacles in our path. But we each are endowed with an inner strength that if we will allow, it will rise up and conquer that which we fear most enabling us to move forward.

Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Words of Wisdom

I’m an avid collector of inspiring quotes and found these beautiful words by Maya Angelou and thought I’d share them with you. They’re featured on one of my abstract watercolor paintings:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

A gentle reminder to treat others with simple gestures of kindness and touch their heart.

Hope you enjoyed this today, thanks for stopping by!!

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there is Magic behind every Door! Art Journal

I had a bit of fun over the weekend and created this in my Strathmore 7.75×9.75 inch Watercolor Journal. I painted it mostly with acrylic paints but what I love about using a watercolor journal is the thick 140lb paper which stands up well to just about anything. I have thoughts I journaled on the first layer followed by watercolors, then decoupage, gesso and acrylic was the last layer.

I love roses but I’m a little rusty painting them so I’ve decided to add them to my daily art schedule so I become more fluent in painting them.

Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!

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Studio Update – Online Class

This week I’ve been busy working on a new abstract plus I’m enrolled in an online course called Birdsong & Blossom by Lindsay Green a very talented floral artist in Northern Ireland.

These birds were a warm up exercise for the class and I wasn’t crazy about them at first but I kept my faith and found it amusing how one by one, each bird took on it’s own unique personality. By the time I finished I was in love with them and thought they turned out pretty cute 😊 So stay tuned as I’ll be posting the finished painting shortly.

I recommend hopping over to Lindsay Green’s website and browsing her art and online classes. You can also find her on Instagram at @lynsaygreenart.

Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend, thanks for stopping by!!

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“Every artist dips his brush into his soul and paints his own nature into his paintings.” ~Henry Ward Beecher

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Studio Update Yello’s BIG Solo

This is a new 4×12 inch canvas I finished over the weekend. It’s an adorable painting with a textured background and 5 beautiful little birds. Instead of painting flowers I thought it would be fun to add more interest and accent this piece by using paper flowers and leaves. I also added a quote “Sing your song.”

Since this is painted on a 1.5 inch thick canvas, this artwork is ideal as a shelf sitter making it the perfect décor for a desk, shelf or counter but can also be hung on the wall.

‘Yello’s BIG Solo’ is available in my Etsy Shop, if interested.

Hope this inspires you today, thanks for stopping by!!

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Studio Update – New Abstract

I hope your weekend is off to a good start! This is the 16×20 inch abstract painting I’ve been working on in the studio. It’s easy to overwork a painting, always thinking it needs more but I’m calling this one finished.

This painting is a stunning piece with lots of texture plus fun splashes and drips of colors. There are a lot of layers which peek through in different places making it all the more interesting. It has a very happy and uplifting vibe to it.

Now the real fun begins, I need a name for it but I’m coming up empty handed. Would love to know what you see and/or feel when you look at this painting so I can give it a title😊

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you!!

Share the Happy💖

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.” ~Salvador Dali