stories | 17-year-old me travels 6,000 miles
If you missed the first installment about my trip to Russia, you can find it HERE. Our first flight was from Orlando, Florida, to Miami. It was a short flight and a small plane that had me blaring music in my headphones, closing my eyes, and gripping the armrests, pretending I was anywhere else. […]
antique portrait in the kitchen
Remember the portrait I found at the Lucketts Spring Market earlier this year? The one I saw a couple of years ago at the fall market, thought about, wished I had bought it, and then came face to face with it again? The woman in the blue dress with the dog on her lap? Yep, […]
four things | eighty-one
The weather has turned hot again, which is expected since we’re halfway through July and in the thick of summer. Hot, humid weather means I skip my morning walk, don’t stay on top of the weeds in the garden beds quite as well, and generally stay inside except in the morning and evening. I’ve already […]
June Gardening Notes
In my May gardening notes, I shared that I put some compost around my Annabelle hydrangeas in the hopes they would do better this year. I have used Hollytone fertilizer on them in previous years, but that didn’t seem to be enough, and the compost has, so far, seemed to be the ticket to healthier, […]
stories | 17-year-old me goes to Russia
I’ve actually considered sharing some of my personal stories here on the blog before. When I was organizing our house in Minnesota from tip to toe, I came across so many bits and pieces that brought stories to mind. I considered writing a Summer Stories series about some of my childhood summers. But, I didn’t. […]
four things | eighty
I hope all of my American friends had a nice July 4th! We kept the day very low-key, but it was nice to have a long, slow weekend, and I enjoyed watching some of the festivities in clips online. I have spent years in the past going to see fireworks displays, but I find I […]
Recent Blog Posts
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. Â I walked three miles daily, increased my activity by gardening and getting outside more often, and tracked my food. Â 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. Â 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”. Â Instead of taking the bus to an experience, the experience came to us. Â Maria Giannini, a paper maker and bookbinder from Florence, came to teach a paper marbling and bookbinding workshop. Â 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. Â 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. Â It feels good to get outside and to get more steps in each day. Â 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. Â I get more home projects done in the Spring and Summer (both inside and out). Â 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. Â Most of the time, it’s just me at my laptop, pressing publish and receiving a handful of comments as feedback. Â 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. Â 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. Â And, if you’re lucky, you might get a personal invitation to one of the best places in the city. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â We finally had a day with temperatures in the low 40s, and it felt so warm after the sub-freezing stretch we’ve experienced. Â We were used to this in Minnesota, but it’s unusual in the Mid-Atlantic. Â 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. Â 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. Â I was naturally excited about the opportunity, but I had never sold prints directly, so I had a lot of logistics to figure out. Â Â 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. Â We were pretty sure he was an Australian shepherd/collie mix, though, and would speculate what other breeds might influence his mild manner. Â He clearly had other breeds mixed in, which tempered the high-strung nature of that combo. Â 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. Â It was just over 20 degrees, but it was sunny and ended up being a pleasant walk. Â 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. Â It felt a little bit like being back in Minnesota, where the snow falls, and remains until the Spring. Â 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. Â It was in the context of Degas’s reputation for being a misogynist and having an aversion to love and marriage. Â 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. Â It was an article about antique quilts from Provence, featuring a woman who had been collecting them for decades. Â She had stacks neatly folded in an old armoire and used throughout her home. Â I read and reread that article and pored over the pictures several times. Â 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. Â I had been to Barga, Lucca, and Florence, and while there are similarities, each city and town has its own flavor. Â 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. Â It was almost overwhelming to think we
four things | sixty
I usually write in the morning. Â It’s when my mind is fresh, and the words flow best. Â 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. Â I moved everything sitting on surfaces (which is a lot of things), and vacuumed every bit of cat hair and dust I could spot. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â We did a lot of landscaping and had new windows installed, but did we do anything else? Â 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. Â We did most of the big renovation projects in our first two years in the house, so this
snow day 2026
I love snow. Â Even living in the Bavarian Alps and in Minnesota didn’t make me tired of it. Â Living in Florida made me love it even more. Â So, I was cheering on the snow totals in our area as the forecasts were coming out. Â 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. Â 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. Â I’ve been glued to the weather reports, surfing blankly online, and generally piddling the morning away. Â I did catch up with my parents, shipped out a commissioned painting, and varnished another. Â But I’ve been avoiding diving into actual work. Â I think the anticipation of a significant snow event
solving the problem of the changing online landscape
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a review of my business for the start of 2026. Â You can read that HERE if you’re interested in getting into the nuts and bolts of a creative business. Â One section I skipped was Solving Problems, so I could share about it in a separate post. Â If you’re puzzling through some of your own in a creative business, you can find the Solving Problems Worksheet HERE. I thought it was important to share
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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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
Move Slow & Make Things Preorder Print Bonus
In case you didn’t hear, my new book, Move Slow & Make Things, comes out September 1, 2026! Â We’re getting into the final weeks before the launch, so I’ll be releasing more preorder bonuses, running giveaways, and sharing more about it in the lead-up to the release date. Â Of course, I’m sharing the book because that’s part of my job as an author, but I’m also sharing it because I am so proud of this book. Â I loved writing it,
Original Art Sale Preview | May 20, 2026
I typically post my previews a few days ahead of an original art sale, but May has been so busy that this sale snuck up on me! The next original art sale is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm Eastern (New York) or noon for presale subscribers. Â If you subscribe HERE, you can shop the sale before it opens to everyone else. Â (This isn’t a blog subscription. Â You will only receive emails with presale information for this and
learning charcoal
A few weeks ago, I was thinking to myself, Marian, you simply don’t have enough hobbies. Â You should pick up another one. Â Okay, not really. Â I have hobbies coming out of my ears. Â In actuality, I just found myself thinking about charcoal as an art medium and felt a pull to it. Â I struggle with drawing, specifically with a pencil or pen. Â I am much more comfortable working with paint, where I can focus on shapes instead of lines. Â Charcoal
Lucketts Spring Market Preview (available original paintings)
As I shared a couple of weeks ago, I’m heading back to the Lucketts Spring Market as a semi-vendor. Â Since my business has changed so much over the past eight years, I’m just testing the waters to see how my original art will sell at that venue. Â I’ll be there just one day, Friday, May 15, from 1-4 pm, to do a bit of painting and be available to say hello. Â I’m also bringing along some of my original oil
my first nikon mirrorless camera | nikon zf review
My suggestion when it comes to camera gear (or just about any creative tool) is to upgrade when your skill level outpaces your tools’ capabilities. Â Basically, you’ll know when you’re ready. Â There is no need to buy a $3000 camera if you only know how to use a point-and-shoot, you’re not super picky about clarity, and you’re not interested in getting the most out of the bells and whistles that accompany the high price tag. Â So, years ago, I started
growth
Growth doesn’t usually happen in leaps and bounds. Â It’s something that sneaks up on you; it’s masked by time and embedded in the act of showing up every day. Â One day, you look up and realize you’ve traveled a great distance, closing the gap between where you want to be and where you were. Â It was done in increments so small they were barely noticed. Â You hope for it, catch glimpses of it, and feel like you’re making some progress,
Seasonal
Fall
Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
 A fall dessert using a fall favorite comes to life in this cookie. I don’t often think about cooking with pumpkin, but there is a lot of goodness pumpkins can bring to the culinary table!  I was in the mood for something chocolatey and cookies are always a winner at my house, so I made a variation of a Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe I found on Taste of Home.  I made a few tweaks to the recipe, like
marinated skirt steak recipe & an All-Clad giveaway
The pot rack in my kitchen might be the one thing in my house that we installed a week after we moved in 10 years ago and hasn’t moved an inch.  It’s never even been under threat of being moved.  I love, love, love my pot rack.  That’s an odd thing for me, because it’s not an antique, but it is so functional and I honestly like having all of my pretty pans and copper pots on display. Yes, we’re
baked potato soup recipe
I shared a couple of weeks ago that I made a full-fat, no-skimping-on-the-good-stuff baked potato soup recipe as a treat.  I love creamy soups and casseroles, but I don’t make them very often anymore, because they are just so calorie-laden. But it was a dreary day and both Jeff and I were in the mood for soup.  A loaded baked potato soup recipe that I used to make came to mind and I couldn’t shake it.  So, I bought the ingredients
farmhouse holiday series | fall porch
It’s time for our last fall post in the Farmhouse Holiday Series – the fall porch, but we’ll be back again as the Christmas season gets underway! Â I have to say that I really worked at gardening and our outdoor spaces last year. Â I found it rewarding and we enjoyed sitting on our deck for the first time in the almost 10 years we’ve lived here. This year? Â Totally different story. Â It was hot and dry and I was really
farmhouse holiday series | fall dining room
It’s time for another installment of the Farmhouse Holiday Series with some of my blog buddies.  And this week, we partnered with All Modern to show you our dining rooms decorated for fall. I remember when I felt like “holiday” colors were locked in.  Christmas had to be green and red and fall had to be yellows, oranges, and browns.  That is it. And then I vividly remember seeing an article in a magazine, featuring a home decked out for Christmas
fall living room
You’re all amazing.  I just need to say that.  All of your comments in reply to my “things have changed” post were like a huge hug to me.  I know that sounds cheesy, but they really were.  What’s interesting is that after I posted that, it was such a relief to me and it pushed me through that “stuck” feeling I’ve been struggling through the past few weeks.  I took the pressure off of myself and creativity bloomed. Lesson learned. Well,
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
four things | seventy one
We’re in the middle of a mid-April heatwave. Â This time of year, I will wear a hoodie in protest when summer weather rears its head early, which is sort of ridiculous. Â I’ve still been making a point to get outside by walking in the morning before it gets hot and then spending about 15-20 minutes filling a bucket with weeds and maple saplings from the garden beds. Â Maple saplings are my lot in life at the moment, but they are
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! Â If you’ve already ordered the book, thank you! Â 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. Â 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. Â Cool enough for a hoodie, but warm enough to spend lots of time outside. Â I donned my overalls for the first time this year, and Jeff and I worked together in the backyard on Tuesday. Â We pulled weeds, mowed the small patch of grass, pruned the hydrangeas, trimmed back the liriope, and cleaned up the leaves. Â 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. Â My aunt’s proposition changed that, though. Â We knew we would be transporting two large paintings in bulky frames home, so space would be at a premium. Â (We won’t mention all of the shells I was bringing home, too!) Â For that reason, we decided not to go to the antique store. Â I have a knack for finding
birthday happenings
This weekend, I turned forty-eight. Â 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. Â Dare I say, almost fifty? Â 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. Â I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. Â Wasn’t it just January? Â 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. Â 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,