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| “I know you think this world is too dark to even dream in color, but I’ve seen flowers bloom at midnight.” - Andrea Gibson (1975-2025) |
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| | To Break or Break
It’s been a little while, friends. I try to approach creativity and communication sincerely, including writing this newsletter, and my heart just wasn’t in it for a bit there. My schedule is of course different in the Summer with the kid’s home, and my youngest has had some health needs that have required quite a bit more energy and attention from me over the past few months. I’ve been passing any free time spending time with the family, tackling home projects/improvements, gardening, and of course, making art when I can.
I was planning on skipping another month of writing, but we just returned from the beach, and I feel surprisingly refreshed and ready to check back in - a reminder that sometimes stepping away, prioritizing health, rest, fun, and creativity when the world feels hopeless is not an act of delusion, but defiance.
Burning out isn’t an option, but reprioritizing the “to do” list might have to be.
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| | | Refresh
Remember last newsletter when I wrote about ripping all the art off my studio walls and showed you my piles of mess? Well, I attempted to get my shit together. Some of the walls are still empty, but I did manage to tidy and paint.
I think it looks a wee bit better than the last time I shared with you, but as you can see, new mess (the good kind) is well under way, as it should be.
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| Fresh blush walls and bookshelves, cat approved. Yes, I have a big desk AND easel on the other side of this room, and my knees would probably like me to use them more. |
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| | Gathering My Thoughts
I’ve never painted anything without learning something about myself, about nature, and/or about art, and this latest piece “Gathered” taught me things about all three. The painting was loosely based on an inspo stock photo, but I changed it up so much that a lot of it had to be made up. I didn’t have any specific plan or message with the piece (which is unusual for me). I simply wanted to play with paint and see where it led. I actually forgot about the “playing” part for a bit there where it felt more like “fighting” and in the end when I wasn’t completely happy with the results, had to remind myself that I did my best, I tried (and retried) things, I learned things, I “gleaned” if you will, and it is by that measure, a complete and beautiful success. |
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| I think two of the creative choices I was happiest with were leaving the upper left corner “undone” and allowing the flowers to be an absolute tangle of wild mess. I am also really delighted by the transition from shadow to light on her forearm and that pinky fingernail. Do you have a favorite little detail you enjoy about this piece? |
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| Details. I always try to find my favorite part of a painting. |
| | Shooting for the Stars
I have been working on a long term project for a little while, and wasn’t going to share about it until I was further along, but hey, what’s the point of subscribing if you can’t even get the inside scoop?
I'm working on creating a collection of zodiac art prints (and maybe greeting cards) and am only a quarter of the way done. For now, I’ll just share these two. These are my kid’s signs, so while not in order, that’s where I wanted to start. |
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| I’m creating these on my iPad in Procreate, and since I’m not terribly well versed in astrology, doing all the research for each sign is taking some time. Working out the compositions and limited color palettes for each is also proving complicated as there’s really no obvious rhyme or reason (to me) for some of the elements.
Fish with water sign and waterlilies - oh, that makes total sense! Goat mermaid with earth sign and pansies - wait, what? And the lady bearing water is an air sign? Okay, sure.
I honestly have no idea when this project will be done, as it’s something I keep on the back burner and work on a bit here and there when I’m able.
While I may not be that knowledgable about astrology, I do know from years of working art markets that people want art that feels personal to them. That’s ultimately what drove me to pursue the project. I think it would be lovely to have these in stock for those looking for something symbolic that helps them feel celebrated and seen.
FUN FACT! Speaking of astrology, I recently learned that a study of 444 serial killers found these four were the most commonly murderous signs: Aquarius, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini. Any of you feeling particularly stabby? |
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Reading…
Fiction -
Beautyland, Marie-Helene Bertino
Unlike anything I’ve ever read, in the best way. An observation of humankind’s overlooked and often unexplainable oddities, from the perspective of a girl (who believes she’s an alien) searching for belonging and meaning (from childhood into womanhood) somewhere on this strange little planet.
Nonfiction -
Nothing to Fear (Demystifying Death to Live More Fully), Julie McFadden, RN
I haven’t quite finished this one, but picked it up because I enjoy following Julie, a hospice nurse, on Instagram. It’s a practical guide of sorts, but an important one. Dealing with death is a part of life.
I grew up in an environment and belief system that I feel was very emotionally stunted when it comes to views of death and the afterlife, so I really appreciate Julie’s fact-based, but also thoughtful, approach with the subject.
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| | | Did you enjoy this newsletter? Golly, I hope so.
What’s bringing you joy these days? I’d love to hear about it. Please reach out if you want to share, or if you just need a virtual hug.
WIP always, dolly |
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