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Awkward, Brave, and Kind
Brené Brown—researcher, storyteller, and (currently enraged) Texan who’s spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, often closes her podcasts, articles, and conversations by inviting all to be/stay awkward, brave, and kind. That’s the spirit with which I approached my art journal during the first half of June while vacationing with Dave… Continue reading
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Spaciousness
Took a small work-in-progress on paper beyond the point of no return today. My intention was to play and have fun, and I made good on that intention … until I didn’t. Suddenly I was throwing good money after bad, as the saying goes. Eventually, and uncharacteristically, I tore the piece into four pieces. Buh-bye!… Continue reading
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“I Didn’t Love That”
After a several-weeks hiatus, I returned to one of the light-background chaos layers I created as part of my playing with Michelle Nyberg’s Creative Painting Techniques class. I made four such starts, had brought one to completion, and then got stuck. Hence the hiatus. My studio time with this current piece was a start-and-stop undertaking… Continue reading
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A Little Happy Dance
A text from art friend Simone two days ago: I’m in need of inspiration! Do you have any tips for me, how I can start doodling, messing around, getting in the creative flow again? A free online course that you jumped into, inspiring artists, blogposts 😉? An Instagram post from Andrea Nelson. Together, just the… Continue reading
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Seasons of Nature, Seasons of Art
Story 1, Seasons of NaturePerhaps you’re familiar with e.e. cummings’s poem, in Just- spring, which celebrates the mud-luscious, the puddle-wonderful, the running, the dancing, and the whistling of the micro-season he identifies as Just-spring. It’s a distinct mini-season in the big picture of spring as a whole—that little stretch of time when leaves are tender… Continue reading
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Small Victories
I’ve just begun rereading Anne Lamott’s book of essays, Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace, this time in audiobook format read by Anne herself. My heart keeps nodding yes!, yes!, yes! as Anne reads. Today’s small victory lay in a favorable shift in energy that took me to my studio after avoiding a particularly… Continue reading
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Play Date
Back in April, art friend MaryAnn posted a photo related to “Color Week” from a course she’s taking, and I was very taken with the exercise, thinking instantly, Oh, I want to do that! After having been away for much of last week, I discover that turning my focus today to poking through outdated magazines,… Continue reading
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Afternoon Art Journal Antics
Made a mess of a painting over the weekend, and then made it worse today. Feel pressed for time. Have a naggy list of tasks that need attention. Feel irritable. Have some kind of high-pitched tinnitus going on. Perfect! Funny how just the right conditions align when you least expect them. Brought action to an… Continue reading
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From My Commonplace Book, On My Easel 4/26/24
From my commonplace book: I finally had to cancel the rest of my appointments and go home for the day. I was distracted, and that’s when you run the risk of leaving the perm on too long, or cutting the bangs too short, or putting the crimp in sideways and your life isn’t worth two… Continue reading
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On My Nightstand, On My Easel 4/24/24
On my nightstand: It may be, then,that form serves us bestwhen it worksas an obstructionto baffle usand deflect our course.—Wendell Berry (again) Wendell, you have got my number! I set out with form and intention here and met with obstruction with dazzling speed. I fought and wrangled and nearly jumped ship. Until I didn’t. Flow… Continue reading
My Story
In 2014, I grab an unexpected opportunity to paint.
To make art.
I get hooked.
In 2015 I start a blog—a diary of my creative practice.
I post my paintings and their stories. The good, the bad, the ugly.
In 2025 I begin writing poetry and include a poem and painting in each post.
My compass points: shake hands with fear, be playful, get messy, trust my gut.
