Creative Breaks: Studio Life and New Artwork

With the holidays seeming to arrive faster each year, I’ve been super busy managing the ongoing holiday sale and updating my Etsy Shop. Unfortunately, this has left me with limited studio time, which is such a bummer because creating brings me so much joy. 😥

Despite the holiday hustle, I’ve managed to carve out little pockets of time to work on these two abstracts! 😊 The first one, shown above, is a 3×4-inch cutie that’s starting to take shape. The second is a 5×7-inch canvas with a 1.5-inch depth, making it perfect for either shelf-sitting or wall décor. Both need quite a bit more work but I love where they’re going!

There’s still more to do in my Etsy Shop, but I’m prioritizing studio time because it keeps me grounded and happy. I’ve realized that even a small dose of creativity can make such a big difference in my day.

What about you? What do you do to lift your spirits when you need a quick boost?

Thanks so much for stopping by—wishing you a joyful and creative day!

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Finding Inspiration: My Angel Painting Journey

Inspiration can strike when you least expect it, and often in the most delightful places. During a visit to Naples on the West Coast of Florida, I stumbled upon a charming angel in a quaint little shop, and it was love at first sight. Standing 20 inches tall, she now graces my home year-round, serving as a constant reminder of that beautiful day—and she ended up sparking the idea for my latest painting!

This whimsical piece was created on a 4×6-inch canvas panel using acrylic paints. For her dress, I was inspired by the patterns on the Naples angel, and I decided to add my own playful twist. Using a white Posca pen, I adorned her dress with intricate designs that have quickly become one of the highlights of the piece for me. To finish it off, I added a meaningful quote: “may peace and love always have a home in your heart.”

I hope this painting—and the story behind it—encourages you to find joy in your own creative journey. Take a moment today to pick up your brushes, pens, or whatever inspires you, and create something that brings you joy.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with inspiration! Thank you so much for stopping by!

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Trash to Treasure Art Journaling

This creation is part of the Scrappy8Challenge on Instagram! I fell behind because I’ve got so many projects going on in the studio, but this artwork is for July’s prompt: “Trash to Treasure.” My original plan was to use chocolate wrappers to create something fun, but that would have meant eating a lot of chocolate! Not that I’m complaining, but I am trying to be good 😇

Sometimes things simply don’t go as planned. I had painted a watercolor abstract that just didn’t turn out the way I wanted. But with the July prompt in mind, I thought, why not salvage it and turn it into a treasure?

I had a lot of fun punching out butterflies—each one unique—and adding them to my journal. After finishing, I thought maybe leaving the background white would have been better—sometimes less really is more! But you know what? I still like how it turned out. And now, I’m officially all caught up! 🎉

I hope this piece inspires you to create something fun this weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

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“Open your heart and mind like the wings of a butterfly. See then how high you can fly.” ~Zeenat Aman

Makes my Heart Sing Art Journaling

Ever wondered what goes on inside an artist’s mind? Well, this journal layout is a little peek into mine! I’m all about bright, fun, happy colors, whimsical touches, and the magic of everyday life. Roses and flowers? Absolutely love them. Music and art? They all make my heart sing.

This creation is part of the Scrappy8Challenge on Instagram. I fell a bit behind because of the many projects I’ve got going on in the studio, but this artwork is for June’s prompt: “Makes my heart sing.” So many ideas came to mind, but the real challenge was capturing the feeling in a way that truly resonates.

After some thought, I chose ‘Art’ because, no matter what’s happening in the world, creating always brings me joy, happiness, and peace. This artwork was made in my favorite 4.5×5″ handmade watercolor journal. I used watercolor paints and markers, a white Posca pen for highlights, a sketch pencil for shading, and of course, a bit of glitter for that extra sparkly magic✨

I’ve got one more layout to do for July, and then I’ll be all caught up. I’m planning to work on that this week, juggling it with my other projects. I hope this piece inspires you in some way!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I’d love to hear what makes your heart sing. Have a fantastic weekend!

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Photo by Unchalee Srirugsar on Pexels.com

The Sea Art Journaling

I’m excited to share my latest artwork with you for the Scrappy8Challenge on Instagram! This month’s theme is “Salt,” and after tossing around a few ideas, the sea 🌊 kept calling to me—it’s salty in the best way! To add a bit of interest and fun, I even sprinkled some coarse sea salt onto the background.

This ocean-themed piece found its home in my cherished 4.5×5″ handmade watercolor journal—a thoughtful gift from my sister on a past birthday. I love working in this journal; the size is just right, and the colorful thread binding adds such a special touch that I made sure to paint around it. To make it even more interesting, I drew a boat and some sea life, then stamped the quote, “My heart is at home by the Sea,” and secured it with some washi tape. I even found a delightful mermaid washi tape by Jane Davenport in my stash, which I thought was the perfect finishing touch. I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out—it’s cute and captures that salty sea vibe!

I have to admit, I’m a little behind on this challenge, so I’ll be catching up on the other two designs over the next week or so. My studio projects have been keeping me busy, but taking this creative detour was a refreshing break.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead. 🌟

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Creating Inspiring Abstract Paintings with Organic Elements | Art Process

I had so much fun creating these abstract paintings, and after working out some of the snafus, I finally put one together! I wanted it to have an organic feel, so I used a piece of a tree branch wrapped with yarn. I added wire, a few beads, and a bit of glitter for some pizzazz, and this is where it ended up.

I still have three more to go, but I’m happy with the overall vibe. I’m still contemplating adding an inspiring word—what do you think?

Stay tuned, more to come…

I hope this inspires you, have a grand day! 🌸🎨

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Floral Fantasies: Capturing the Essence of Flowers in Art

I see flowers as Mother Nature’s masterpieces. Their petals, whether soft and strong or luminous and fragile, each possess a unique beauty that ignites my creativity. These two new paintings I’ve created invite you to envision flowers through a lens of feeling rather than detail.

As I wrap up these paintings, I’m also piecing everything together. A few unexpected challenges prompted some design changes, but they’ve only enriched my artistic journey.

Stay tuned to see how it all comes together…

I hope this inspires you, have a wonderful weekend! 🌸🎨

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Soulful Art: Embracing Unpredictability in Watercolor Painting

One of the many things I love about watercolors is the element of surprise. I use a lot of water in most of my paintings, allowing the colors to move and mingle freely. The results can be stunning or sometimes a complete disaster—you never know! This time, I experimented with a new color combination and absolutely love how it turned out.

Creating art is meant to expand your mind and soul. It’s an unpredictable adventure, and that’s where the joy comes from. May this piece inspire you to explore, experiment, and find beauty in the unexpected twists and turns of your own creative journey.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Shop Update – Garden Memories Floral Abstract

Growing up, my dad grew the most beautiful roses in his garden, where I’d wander among the breathtaking blooms and revel in their beauty. Inspired by those special moments, “Garden Memories” is a captivating 16×20 inch Modern Floral Abstract Painting.

This piece brings the timeless allure of a rose garden into your home, adding a touch of sophistication to any room with its vibrant, modern aesthetic. Whether as a cherished addition to your collection or a thoughtful gift, don’t miss the chance to bring the tranquility of a rose garden into your home.

“Garden Memories” is available in my Etsy Shop (if interested) ✨

I hope this painting brightens your day and sparks your creativity. Thank you for stopping by!

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“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” ~ Alphonse Karr

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

Embracing the Unexpected: My Watercolor Painting Adventure

Have you ever been so engrossed in creating something that you didn’t realize you were making a hot mess? Well, that’s exactly what happened with this painting! I was having a blast playing with my watercolors and experimenting with different techniques, totally oblivious to the chaos unfolding 😂 I kept adding more layers, hoping to salvage it, but eventually, called it a day.

Although it didn’t go as planned, there are still aspects I love, like the vibrant colors, the blue fanned brushstrokes around the edges, and the dreamy vibe. Overall, I think it still looks pretty cool; you can see where some of the bottom layers peek through in different areas, adding more depth. What do you think?

I hope it inspires you to embrace the unexpected in your own creative journey. Thanks for stopping by!

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