Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 2
Welcome to giveaway number two leading up to the September 1 launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things. For this giveaway, I’ve partnered with Luxury Brands of America, a US distributor for fountain pens, inks, notebooks, and other fine writing supplies. They carry some of my favorite fountain pen brands, such as […]
Annabelle hydrangea update
If you’ve been following our landscaping projects over the past few years, you are probably somewhat familiar with the Annabelle hydrangeas I was determined to plant. I purchased Annabelle hydrangeas for our house in Minnesota on a whim at the grocery store for around $15/each, and they thrived. They were the best hydrangeas I ever […]
antique-inspired color charts
I’ve been making and selling color charts on linen for a few years. My first one was inspired by color charts found at an artist’s estate sale. I was so smitten with them when I first spotted them online – the colorful squares in oil framed by age-stained fabric – that I decided to make […]
Live Painting at Lucketts
This post has been sitting in my drafts for weeks! I know some of you must have been losing sleep because I left you hanging about the Lucketts Spring Market. I will not torture you any longer. Here’s how the afternoon of painting went back in May… After my triumphant antique find and a morning […]
four things | seventy seven
This week started with the loss of power from a storm. It wasn’t really the storm that knocked out the power, but the wall of wind that came right before the rain. It took out trees, limbs, power poles, and made a general mess of our yard and pool. Jeff had just finished cleaning up […]
Visiting Clarkson’s Farm
When Julia (my English friend and host when visiting the UK) and I discussed what we should do with our time in the Cotswolds, we frequently kicked around the possibility of visiting Jeremy Clarkson’s concerns – The Farmer’s Dog Pub and Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Both of us are fans of the show, and we […]
Recent Blog Posts
four things | sixty-four
I’ll share why in the “what I’m working on” section of this post, but it was a big week for me! So often in creative work, when you pass a huge milestone or complete a marathon task, there isn’t any fanfare. You just turn in the work, mail it to the client, press the submit button, and it’s done. There’s no bell to ring or a team gathering for a celebration after work. You just do it and then move
health & fitness update
I shared here on the blog that I made several lifestyle changes in 2024 to increase my fitness level, improve my overall health, and lose some weight that crept on during Covid, our move, and six months of being in an orthopedic boot after I broke my foot. I walked three miles daily, increased my activity by gardening and getting outside more often, and tracked my food. I lost almost 30 lbs and was already feeling so much better. In
my painting style
When you first start a creative endeavor, you’re just trying to do the thing, and you aren’t too worried about what bucket or genre you might fit in. As you grow and start to find your style and voice, you do start to wonder where you fit. When people have asked me to define my art style over the years, I haven’t really been sure how to answer. I like the impressionists, but my work clearly doesn’t look like a
marbled paper & bookbinding workshop in Italy
Our second-to-the-last day of the Prone to Wander retreat was spent at “home”. Instead of taking the bus to an experience, the experience came to us. Maria Giannini, a paper maker and bookbinder from Florence, came to teach a paper marbling and bookbinding workshop. The interesting coincidence of Maria and me both teaching workshops at this retreat was that we had met six years earlier when I popped into her family’s pen-and-paper shop. Their shop was just a short walk
four things | sixty-three
Our temperatures have been warming, and the snow is slowly melting, so my regular morning walks are back. It feels good to get outside and to get more steps in each day. I used to feel like my days were pretty consistent through the seasons, but I’m starting to learn I have pretty distinct habits and routines for each season. I get more home projects done in the Spring and Summer (both inside and out). I do more painting
Kim’s Coastal Bedroom Twin | room makeover
Every once in a while, I get to see how something I share on my blog inspires someone else. Most of the time, it’s just me at my laptop, pressing publish and receiving a handful of comments as feedback. Over a year ago, though, I received an e-mail from one of my blog readers, Barbara, who was so in love with my design for my parents’ bedroom that she decided to replicate it in her own home. She reached out
the best view in Siena, Italy
One of the best things about traveling with a local guide is that you get to see the non-touristy places. And, if you’re lucky, you might get a personal invitation to one of the best places in the city. After touring Siena on our own, with some direction from Carolyn, our guide, our group met at the famous fountain in Siena’s shell-shaped piazza to go to Paola’s house for tea. Paola is one of Carolyn’s Italian friends and a local
My new book | Cover & Title Reveal
I am so excited to finally reveal the title and cover for my new book – Move Slow & Make Things: Pursuing the Delightfully Fulfilling Creative Life. This book was born out of hundreds of conversations I’ve had with people over the years, in person, in small groups, and online, about creativity and what it means to be an artist. Sometimes, the conversation starts with a question from someone seeking to make more room for creativity in their own life:
four things | sixty-two
I’ve been sluggish this week, but good and exciting things have still been happening. We finally had a day with temperatures in the low 40s, and it felt so warm after the sub-freezing stretch we’ve experienced. We were used to this in Minnesota, but it’s unusual in the Mid-Atlantic. I like that the snow is taking its time to melt, but it was nice to get out and walk a few days this week. I’ve been marching inside to get
Fine Art Prints available at Marrs on Main
After working with Jenny Marrs on pet portraits for one of her design clients (you can read about that HERE), the shop manager for Marrs on Main reached out to me about carrying some of my prints in the store. I was naturally excited about the opportunity, but I had never sold prints directly, so I had a lot of logistics to figure out. The first step was finding a printer I liked, so I ordered a bunch of
What breed is Rosa Jo?
We toyed with the idea of getting a dog DNA test for Sebastian since he was found as a stray when he was a puppy, and his pedigree was unknown. We were pretty sure he was an Australian shepherd/collie mix, though, and would speculate what other breeds might influence his mild manner. He clearly had other breeds mixed in, which tempered the high-strung nature of that combo. We were curious, but never curious enough to spend the money on the
four things | sixty-one
I went out for a walk yesterday morning for the first time since the late January snowstorm. It was just over 20 degrees, but it was sunny and ended up being a pleasant walk. The temperatures in our area have remained below freezing, so all of the snow is still covering the ground and pushed up against the curbs. It felt a little bit like being back in Minnesota, where the snow falls, and remains until the Spring. As a
Encouraging words from Degas about AI
“Without a heart, can one not be an artist?” – Edgar Degas I heard this quote in Sebastian Smee’s book The Art of Rivalry. It was in the context of Degas’s reputation for being a misogynist and having an aversion to love and marriage. He said and wrote things that seemed to show at least some sentimentality and softness, including the quote above, and an anecdote about when he and Monet argued about who cared for Berthe Morisot more as
Reversible Quilt inspired by Antique Provence Quilts
I don’t remember which magazine it was in, but I can still vividly recall the spread. It was an article about antique quilts from Provence, featuring a woman who had been collecting them for decades. She had stacks neatly folded in an old armoire and used throughout her home. I read and reread that article and pored over the pictures several times. I probably still have the magazine somewhere in the basement, in a bin of favorites I just couldn’t
walking through Siena, Italy
On this trip to Italy, I’m glad I got to see a couple more ancient Tuscan cities – Arezzo and Siena. I had been to Barga, Lucca, and Florence, and while there are similarities, each city and town has its own flavor. Once we made our way through the densely packed market crowds of Siena, we had the most spectacular view of the city, medieval buildings with tiled roofs spilling down the hillside. It was almost overwhelming to think we
four things | sixty
I usually write in the morning. It’s when my mind is fresh, and the words flow best. But this morning, as I eyed a ball of cat hair fluff scurry across the studio floor, I decided to get the vacuum, dust cloth, and tidy things up beyond just a quick hit with the vacuum. I moved everything sitting on surfaces (which is a lot of things), and vacuumed every bit of cat hair and dust I could spot. I put
the non-art parts of selling art
When I use the word “art”, I am referring to art in the broader sense – something that is made by human hands. My art has changed over the years from painting murals on walls to painting furniture to painting on panels with all sorts of other artistic endeavors and experiments mixed in. So, when I’m writing about the non-art part of making and selling art, I’m referring to both my art and yours, whatever your art may be. Even
2025 Home Project Recap
When I first started putting this post together, I felt like we didn’t do many home projects in 2025. We did a lot of landscaping and had new windows installed, but did we do anything else? Well, once I started to look back through the year in pictures, I realized we did a ton of work on our 1970 house in 2025. We did most of the big renovation projects in our first two years in the house, so this
snow day 2026
I love snow. Even living in the Bavarian Alps and in Minnesota didn’t make me tired of it. Living in Florida made me love it even more. So, I was cheering on the snow totals in our area as the forecasts were coming out. We ended up getting much more sleet than they initially thought, but it was still a substantial snow event that cancelled all our normal activities for two days. It’s rare for a pastor to have a
four things | fifty-nine
I know I have a reputation for being a highly productive person here on this blog, but there are days when I faff about and waste time with the best of them. I’ve been glued to the weather reports, surfing blankly online, and generally piddling the morning away. I did catch up with my parents, shipped out a commissioned painting, and varnished another. But I’ve been avoiding diving into actual work. I think the anticipation of a significant snow event
I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.
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More from the Blog
From the very first coat of paint to custom cabinetry, Marian has been slowly transforming her 1970s split-level into a home filled with charm, character, and creative vision. Explore room-by-room updates, clever DIYs, and the stories woven into each renovation project. It’s a work in progress—and that’s part of the beauty.
In the Studio
Artistic Endeavors
A return to Lucketts Spring Market
Quickly, I wanted to highlight that today (April 28) is the last day to join Pup Club Prints as a founding member and receive the beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer fine art print. Pup Club Prints is a fine-art snail-mail print club for animal, art, and analog lovers. It’s just $10/month for a quality 5 x 7 giclee fine art print, and you can cancel at any time. As an inaugural member, you’ll also be entered to win an original 8
Bronzino & the Medicis
As I shared in THIS POST, the self-portrait gallery was the highlight of the Uffizi Museum for me, but another exhibit was a very, very close second. I mean, they are virtually tied, and I think you’ll see why. As my mom and I meandered through the light-filled U-shaped corridors of the Uffizi, a portrait of a woman and her child hung high on one of the walls. It was too high for me to lean in and appreciate the
Pup Club Prints | fine art prints for dog & art lovers
Thank you to everyone who is trying to subscribe! We had some technical issues, but it’s working now! Also, I decided to offer a big thank you to those who sign up for the first month’s print. Founding Pup Club members will be entered to win an original 8 x 10 commissioned oil painting (animal, still life, or landscape), a $300 value. I am so excited to finally launch Pup Club Prints, a monthly art subscription I’ve been working on
the business of art vs. the art of art
There is an anecdote about Vincent Van Gogh that I’ve heard and even repeated myself. Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime. It’s often used as an encouragement to struggling artists. If his work, which was so unique, brilliant, and beautiful, wasn’t appreciated, then you’re in good company if you find yourself in the same boat. I’ve shared in my Four Things posts over the past few weeks that I’ve been reading THIS BOOK on the life of
styling pet portraits in interiors
I received a question a couple of weeks ago about how to style a pet portrait in a room without it looking like a shrine to your dog, cat, hamster, or horse. Good question! I’m so glad you asked. Let’s talk about animal art in interiors and how to make it work with your decorating. First of all, let me say that there really aren’t rules when it comes to style, art, decorating, or aesthetics. I mean, there are rules
Move Slow & Make Things Book Bonuses Available!
I am so excited to share that the preorder bonuses for Move Slow & Make Things: Pursuing the Delightfully Fulfilling Creative Life are now available! If you’ve already ordered the book, thank you! You can enter your order information on THIS to claim your bonuses. If you haven’t preordered the book yet, you can do that HERE. I will be released September 1, 2026, so you still have plenty of time, but I learned through the release of Feels Like
Seasonal
Fall
subtle seasonal dining room
The week after I got back from Europe, summer was still hanging onto Rochester, but it finally released its grasp. The trees are turning fiery hues at their tips, there is a refreshing chill to the air, and I donned my favorite leather boots in church this weekend. Fall is here. Having missed a week and a half of September, it feels like autumn will be shorter this year than usual. For that reason, I’m not going to spend too
apple tart recipe review – fall desserts
My mom and I leave for Paris on Saturday and I have been a bit of a crazy person the past few days. I’m pretty set when it comes to packing my suitcase, but it’s the backpack/purse I’m going to be carrying with me daily that has been causing all of the angst and I started to second-guess my plan. In a nutshell, I ended up buying two anti-theft bags and one was too small and one was the right
apple tart recipe review
My mom and I leave for Paris on Saturday and I have been a bit of a crazy person the past few days. I’m pretty set when it comes to packing my suitcase, but it’s the backpack/purse I’m going to be carrying with me daily that has been causing all of the angst and I started to second-guess my plan. In a nutshell, I ended up buying two anti-theft bags and one was too small and one was the right
Seasons of Home | Fall Porch
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by . I shop from them regularly as a customer, so this was a natural sponsorship. All words and opinions expressed in this post are my own. One thing that excited me about our new home was the porch! I only had a small stoop at our last house, but this house has a nice front porch with lots of potential for decorating for the seasons. We still have some power washing and window cleaning
seasons of home | fall living room
I’ll be really honest here… The only reason I decorated my living room for fall was for this post. And there it is. Before you bail on this post, though, let me tell you something more… As I started clipping eucalyptus and tucking it in around pumpkins, grabbing apples from the bowl in the kitchen and mini pinecones from the dough bowl in the dining room, there was a joy discovered that went beyond having a styled mantel for a
(working with what you have) fall table
Last year, I participated in the Farmhouse Holiday Series and it was such a fun blog-hop to be a part of that I agreed to participate again this year. I like saying yes to fun things and collaborations with creative people. But then I realized that only about 2% of my house is finished in my colors and style… And I really felt that as I was working on this fall tablescape. It was supposed to be in the dining
at home
All Things Home
copper mold candle centerpiece | Christmas decorating
I was working on decorating for Christmas – draping garland on the tree, putting fresh batteries into the LED tree candles, topping cabinets with greenery – and I got sidetracked, as I often do. My collection of copper bundt pans hanging from the potrack in my kitchen caught my eye. Oh yeah, I’ve always wanted to make a Christmas centerpiece out of one of those. That thought sent me on the rabbit trail of making this copper mold candle centerpiece…
Christmas momentum
When I’m in the early stages of thinking about decorating for Christmas, before I pull out the bins or lights, faux greens, and ornaments, I usually feel pretty resolved that I’m going to keep things simple. As you may notice if you visit my blog regularly, I’m always busy with something. When Thanksgiving is over, and the calendar turns to December, I’m already looking forward to the post-Christmas slow-down. The glorious lost week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, when
homemade christmas gifts
I’ve loved making and giving homemade gifts since I was little. As you may have guessed, my favorite medium was always paint, but I have made a lot of other things over the years, as I learned new crafts. Homemade gifts are not flashy or trendy, but they are meaningful, thoughtful, and show that time was put into a gift, which feels like a rarity in this age of one-click shopping. I have shared loads of projects on this blog
New Society6 Papers, Prints & More
Surface design is something I’ve played with on and off for a few years and this year, I decided to lean into that interest and create some new patterns for wrapping papers as well as other available products on Society6. While only one is specifically designed for Winter/Christmas, I feel like these designs work well year-round, including for Christmas. (Products are up to 50% off at Society6 for their Black Friday event.) I love Society6’s wrapping paper. It comes in
salt-dough season | traditional salt-dough ornament recipe
One of my favorite holiday projects over all my years of Christmas crafting is making things with salt dough. It started with an impulsive purchase from an Instagram ad. I bought two wooden cookie molds, not really even sure what I was going to do with them. I just thought they were pretty and had good crafting potential. After languishing in my tin with cookie cutters and piping tips, inspiration hit. What if I used those pretty molds with humble
my favorite realistic faux evergreens
I really loved my Christmas decorating last year, so I will probably do something very similar this year. It felt classic and beautiful, and looking back over the pictures makes me excited to pull out the bins and deck the halls. Well, almost. But, while I’m thinking about it and while you might be planning and shopping, and before everything Christmas is sold out, I wanted to share my favorite realistic faux evergreens for Christmas and winter decorating. Years ago,
Everyday Moments
A Slice of Life
Move Slow & Make Things Book Bonuses Available!
I am so excited to share that the preorder bonuses for Move Slow & Make Things: Pursuing the Delightfully Fulfilling Creative Life are now available! If you’ve already ordered the book, thank you! You can enter your order information on THIS to claim your bonuses. If you haven’t preordered the book yet, you can do that HERE. I will be released September 1, 2026, so you still have plenty of time, but I learned through the release of Feels Like
four things | seventy
It’s been my favorite early spring weather. Cool enough for a hoodie, but warm enough to spend lots of time outside. I donned my overalls for the first time this year, and Jeff and I worked together in the backyard on Tuesday. We pulled weeds, mowed the small patch of grass, pruned the hydrangeas, trimmed back the liriope, and cleaned up the leaves. I remembered looking out the window last week and feeling overwhelmed at all of the tasks that
the Gibbes Museum
When we planned our Charleston outing for our anniversary, we were going to visit a few antique stores and then have a nice dinner. My aunt’s proposition changed that, though. We knew we would be transporting two large paintings in bulky frames home, so space would be at a premium. (We won’t mention all of the shells I was bringing home, too!) For that reason, we decided not to go to the antique store. I have a knack for finding
birthday happenings
This weekend, I turned forty-eight. It made me think about all of the birthdays I’ve shared about here on my blog, and if you’ve been with me since the early years, you’ve followed me through most of my 30s and now well into my 40s. Dare I say, almost fifty? We’ve been through a lot together – my boys going from diapers to driving and college classes, two big moves, three different homes, and lots of twists and turns in
four things | sixty-nine
Wow, it’s hard to believe it’s April. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. Wasn’t it just January? With the warmer weather and longer days, I am feeling my usual pull to home and garden projects, but I haven’t had much time with my current workload. Home projects are usually a large part of my work, but with oil painting and writing becoming more prominent this year, they are getting pushed to the weekend and evenings,
criticism & what makes you an artist
I received a critical comment on social media a couple of weeks ago. It happens when you share online, and after over 15 years of posting, I’ve gotten used to it and generally have a healthy perspective. Most of the time, I can shrug off the comment. It’s from a stranger on the Internet, and in many cases, it’s not even about me at all. My inbox, DMs, or comment section is just where someone’s frustration, hurt, or bad mood
Explore painting at your own pace—no experience needed
Free Art Classes for the Creative at Heart
While the world slowed down in the spring of 2020, I found connection and creativity by offering live art classes each Friday—just a simple way to share something joyful during uncertain times. What began as a small spark turned into something truly special. After receiving such kind and encouraging feedback, I decided to turn those lessons into a free online course. Inside, you’ll find nine beginner-friendly oil painting classes covering everything from mixing colors to painting a sweet grazing cow. It’s a gentle, joy-filled place to start (or continue) your painting journey.