The Studio This Week...

It has been a record month for sales on my Etsy site! I think part of it is because the weather  is changing, causing people to start thinking about different seasonal decor. 

Here is my little kitty, Manheim, "helping" me with one load of packages.

And now that my autumn art has greatly decreased in number, I've been painting some new additions. Here is one that I just finished this past weekend:

The Last of Summer

These Indian summer days are some of my favorites. Last week I went on a much needed walk on a local trail and enjoyed the last bit of summer. It was good for my soul.

I was surprised by how many varieties of wildflowers were still left this late in the summer, and I couldn't resist sketching the ones I saw.

Here's the final sketch with watercolor:

How are you enjoying these beautiful days of late summer?

Love Until It Hurts

This past week has been tough for me. I've been greatly distressed by the violence, hatred, and injustices happening both here and abroad. Sometimes I feel like I just can't bear it all.

This page from my sketchbook is a quote I can't seem to get out of my head. God hasn't given up on this world, and neither should we. Hear the cries of my heart, my Deliverer. Help me to love until it hurts and then love some more.

"'Anyone can slay a Dragon,' she told me, 'But try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again. That's what takes a real hero.'" - Brian Andreas

On Transition, Seasons, and Carpe Diem

It's official: I have fall on my mind.

This summer has been all about transition. We moved back to Kentucky, I started a new job, and my husband started graduate school. In many ways, I feel like I missed out on summer. Summer has always been my favorite season, but this year it just passed me by.

Maybe that's why I'm looking forward to autumn so much. It's the promise of slowing down and enjoying the season. It's the promise of starting fresh and feeling like myself again.

I barely painted anything related to summer, so I'm a bit behind on my seasonal "lines." I really should have started fall themed art back in July. But I'm determined to not let autumn pass me by, too. Here are my latest pieces, inspired by vintage harvest seed packets.

Consider this autumn carpe-d.

Playing with Soft Pastels

A few years ago, I purchased a vintage set of pastels on Etsy because I love how they look and feel. It wasn't until recently, though, that I felt brave enough to actually try them out. I'm so glad I mustered some courage, because they have quickly become my favorite medium.

The set on the right is my vintage set, and the one on the left is a new set that I placed in an antique box. I just love old boxes!

There's something just magical about blending the colors together with my fingers and watching the colors smudge and smooth. My favorite subjects so far have been still life pictures of nature and animals.

This little piglet just makes me so happy!

Thanks for visiting! Have a creative day. :)

I'm Back!

After 2 years of being immersed in academia and putting art onto hold, I'm taking the leap back. As much as I love to exercise the left side of my brain, I never feel complete until I am creative as well.

I've been reading so many wonderful art blogs these past couple of months and have been inspired to pursue this blog I abandoned long ago. Before, I felt so much pressure to publish posts that I often would stare at the computer screen, worrying over the blank page. Lately, though, I've been inspired to use blogging as a creative outlet. I need the motivation to be creative, and I hope that this blog will stretch me. When I feel uninspired and don't know what to blog about, I'll know that this is an indication that my life isn't filled with enough creative. It will be an indication that I need to rearrange my life, to make art a priority again.

I hope that you will join me on this journey and that my inspiration will inspire you, too!