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 […]
Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 1
Welcome to the first of several Move Slow & Make Things giveaways! To celebrate the book and introduce the themes explored in these pages, we’re going to give away products and gift cards that highlight small creative businesses and showcase analog tools and materials that perfectly complement living a delightfully fulfilling creative life. We’re talking […]
the notesbooks on my desk
I take a hybrid approach when it comes to running my life and organizing my thoughts. I like paper, pencils, and pens for writing down ideas, planning, and managing my day. While old-fashioned notebooks are my preference for most things, I rely heavily on a digital calendar and reminder alarms to make sure I don’t […]
four things | seventy six
It’s been a full, exciting week. I’ve been walking each morning, caring for the garden beds, working on commissioned paintings, packing prints, and recording some test audiobook samples for Move Slow and Make Things. I’ve also been arranging some fun giveaways as we get closer to the launch, and this afternoon (Friday), I received my […]
Antiquing Jaunt
When my in-laws were visiting for Calvin’s graduation, I decided it would be a good opportunity to hit a few antique stores with my mother-in-law. She is happy to sit and read while I work on things, and over the years, she has helped with many sewing and slipcover projects during her visits, but we […]
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! 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. Of course, I’m sharing the book because […]
Recent Blog Posts
four things | fifty-one
It’s our final few days before it gets dark ridiculously early. I’m already feeling the darkness creeping in as I’m sitting at my easel in the afternoon. I love winter and all that comes with it—soup, Christmas, hoodies and wool socks, football games, and snow—but I wish it came with more sunlight. I know you can’t have one without the other, though, so I’ve pulled some extra lighting into my studio so I can continue to work a full day
Daylesford, holding history, & dinner at The Village Pub in Barnsley
After visiting Cotswold Farm Park and taking my fill of photos of rare breeds—cows, sheep, goats, pigs, and more —we went to meet Julia’s sister-in-law, Carol, at Daylesford Organic Farmshop. Even after spending only three full days in the Cotswolds, I feel confident recommending this shop as a destination to add to your itinerary when in the area. It’s not just a farm shop, but a beautiful store with lots of inspiration and eye candy, local British specialties, a garden
cotswold farm park | rare breeds farm visit
In case you haven’t ascertained this for yourself, I basically traveled across the ocean to take pictures of sheep and cows. Not really, but that was a highlight for me. Animals are among my favorite subjects to paint, and I couldn’t help but pull out my camera whenever we came across a cow, sheep, horse, dog, cat, quail, or pigeon. Julia knew this, so she arranged the perfect field trip for our third morning in the Cotswolds: Cotswold Farm Park, a
Broadway & Dover’s Hill
We spent most of our second day in the Cotswolds at Hidcote Manor, touring the house and gardens, eating cake for lunch, and plein air painting. It was late afternoon by the time we headed to our second destination – Broadway. After visiting several villages the day before, I started to understand that while each village is comprised of historic buildings, made from the same honey-colored Cotswold stone, they each have their own feel and flavor. Broadway was mostly flat,
four things | fifty
Autumn is in full swing here in Maryland, and we are in the thick of our yearly battle with the leaves falling from our six 50-year-old maple trees. Jeff takes the lead on the leaves, and I’m working on garden chores to give ourselves the gift of a tidy yard over the winter, and garden beds ready for spring mulching and planting. I plan to work more on that now that the pool is closed and I don’t have to
plein air painting at Hidcote
Let me start by saying plein air painting is not my sweet spot. While I enjoy painting outside and on location, I’m rarely very happy with the results. I prefer painting in my studio in a more controlled environment. The lighting is relatively fixed; I have my easel and chair set to my height, all of my supplies are readily at hand, and I don’t have to worry about bugs sticking to my painting. Whenever I paint outside, I feel
Hidcote Manor | National Trust Home & Garden
We had a slow start on day two in the Cotswolds. Mom and I were feeling the effects of being awake for over 24 hours and didn’t want to spring out of bed early for a long day of sightseeing. Over a breakfast of fresh bread, butter, and raspberries, we made plans for the day while a load of laundry cycled through the small washer in the kitchen. After village hopping on our first day, Julia suggested visiting a National
meet Rosa Jo
This post was going to happen eventually. Both mom and I have been combing shelters and rescues for dogs since we lost Sebastian in July. I told my mom it’s her turn to be the primary owner of our shared dog. I have two cats and teenagers, so she needed a dog more than I did. She talks to every dog she sees on the streets, and it became a bit of a running joke during our trip in England
four things | forty-nine
I had planned to write Four Things posts while traveling, but that didn’t happen. Our days were full and, when we did have downtime, I didn’t want to spend it pecking away at my computer. Instead, I wrote in my journal to record all my experiences, thoughts, and observations as close to the moment as possible. I wandered around the villa’s grounds where we stayed in Italy. I painted, sketched, and soaked it all in. But now that I’m home,
the thatched cottage
As our first day in the Cotswolds was waning, Julia drove us to Chipping Campden to check into our Airbnb. Just a few weeks earlier, Julia and I were on a FaceTime call, looking at potential places to stay during our trip. She had sent me a few vacation rentals and National Trust properties, and I had done some browsing as well. We hadn’t settled on anything, though. We were looking for a place that was historic, which isn’t too
Cirencester, Seasalt Cornwall, & Bourton-on-the-Water
Well, I am back home in the US, but I have over 2,000 photos to go through and edit, and I wrote so much in my journal that I went through three ink cartridges in my fountain pen! I recorded it all for my own sake, but also so I could share what we did, what I loved, and what inspired me here on the blog. I hope my travels will inspire you as well. This is my third post
My Favorite Local Antique Stores
I have been asked several times since I moved back to the mid-Atlantic region if I would share some of my favorite antique stores. I will start by saying, there are a plethora of fantastic antique stores, markets, co-ops, barn sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores all within about an hour from me. There is no way I can give an exhaustive list, but I wanted to share the places I regularly check out that are either in Hagerstown or
DIY wet panel carrier for oil paintings
In my previous post about traveling with oil paints, I mentioned I would share a DIY wet panel carrier tutorial, and here it is! If you don’t use oil paints, you may wonder what a wet panel carrier is and why it’s necessary. One of the wonderful things about oil paints is that they are slow-drying. This gives you a lot of time to blend and nudge the paint around, or even just scrape it off. I find it’s even
Small Business Spotlight | A Gallo Watercolors
When I first started my business and blog, many creative entrepreneurs supported me along the way. They showed me the ropes, invited me into their community, and introduced me to their audience and customer base. I love that I can now return the favor to other creative entrepreneurs, from small start-ups to established, thriving companies, you may have never heard of. This Italian company, which makes handmade watercolor paints, fits into the latter category. They already have a devoted following,
Bibury, Barnsley, & The Pig
The next stop in our jetlag-countering Cotswold tour was Bibury. (You can read about our first stop in Burford HERE.) As an American, you might be tempted to say Bi-berry, but syllables are dropped by the English (or added by the Americans) as in straw-bry and rasp-bry. It’s Bi-bry. Now that we have the pronunciation sorted, I will tell you that Bibury is known as “the most photographed place in the Cotswolds.” I’m not sure how you can measure that
Arrival & Burford | “gateway to the Cotswolds”
The first delight of our trip came when we boarded the airplane from Washington Dulles to London Heathrow. As we’re walking through the first-class cabin, it’s hard not to look over the cubicle and wish we had tickets for one. Oh, to be able to lie flat in an airplane seat on an international flight. It would be such a treat. But we were prepared to shimmy down the aisle to basic economy. We passed the next cabin, with wide
the great shutter debate
Some people might argue over politics or what kind of music is appropriate for a wedding reception, but what people who love architecture argue about is shutters. They argue about everything from the proper shutter-to-window ratio to whether hinges and shutter dogs have to be functional. It’s pretty amusing to see the kind of heated dialogue that can happen in comment sections. So, let’s talk about it. We recently installed vinyl shutters on our house, selecting a size and scale
packing art supplies for international travel
I’ve been bringing along art supplies when I travel for the past few years. When I went to China in 2017, I had a vision of standing on the Great Wall and capturing the experience in a sketchbook. I was nervous about it, but I did it! The sketch was rubbish, but I learned that it wasn’t about the results. It was about the process, about being fully present, and taking time to observe. (You can read the post about
building a custom propane tank screen
The only problem with cutting back the abelia hedge on the left side of the house earlier this year was that it exposed all of the work that needed to be done to this side of the house. You could see the staining on the brick from ivy, the trim that was long overdue for a fresh coat, and all of the weeds and refuse that needed to be removed. We’ve been working on it bit by bit, and we
four things | forty-eight
This week has been all about prepping and packing for my upcoming trip to England and Italy. It’s sort of wild to me that I’ve never been to England, given that I lived in Germany as a child. We traveled all over the place, but never made it across the English Channel. I know this will be the first of many visits, because there are so many places I want to see for their beauty and/or historical significance. A branch
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
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
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:
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
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
As seen on HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous
This summer, I worked on my largest-ever commissioned pet portrait project – a collection of five original oil paintings for Jenny Marrs, to be featured in a home makeover on Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. It started when Jenny reached out to ask me to write an endorsement for her new book. As much as time allows, I try to say yes to those requests to support other writers and creative entrepreneurs. As I was reading through the digital sample
January 16, 2026 | original art sale preview
I’m so excited to share the latest round of original oil paintings for sale. It is the first of many collections (I’m sure) that include pieces inspired by my trip to England and Italy last fall. The original art sale is scheduled for Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (New York). In this original art sale, I have pieces ranging from 4 x 6 hand-painted color charts on antique linen ($50) up to a 16 x 20 painting
Seasonal
Fall
HGTV.com Halloween Tutorials & Matthew Mead
I know it’s only August, but Hobby Lobby is already gearing up for Christmas, so I can share my HGTV.com Halloween tutorials, right? I actually worked on all of these last November. Wow, how time flies. Here they are… Chalkboard Treat Bucket Witches Broom Place Card Holders Burlap Halloween Table Runner Foam Halloween Tombstones Vintage Inspired Halloween Banner Halloween Applique Pillow Pumpkin Topiary “Grain Sack” Pumpkin Fall Leaf Lampshade We never decorated for Halloween when I was growing up,
Happy Thanksgiving!
May your table be beautiful, your turkey be tasty and your family be nice to each other… …and may you be thankful even if they’re not. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Preserving Fall’s Bounty
My seasonal decorating is all out of order. I have been working on Christmas stuff since September and now I’m working on my fall decor for next year! HGTV.com has me writing several holiday decor tutorials for them and I need to work on the ones that require fresh pumpkins and the great outdoors before the season changes to winter. Our “leaf peak” has passed in Pennsylvania, so I needed to preserve some leaves for my photo shoots before they were
Grain Sack Pumpkins? Oh yeah.
Today, I have the privilege of being a guest on one of my favorite blogs, Dreamy Whites. (I’ve been guesting a lot lately, haven’t I?) Anyway, Maria is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever “meet” and she has an impeccable style sense and knows how to wield a camera. If you have not been to her blog, you must check it out. Maria asked me to share a fall decorating idea with her readers and I was happy to
at home
All Things Home
ideas from Cheri’s house that I’m stealing
As I shared last week (HERE), I had the chance to stay at my friend Cheri’s house when I took Calvin to Minnesota for a quick trip to visit some friends. The trip was for him, and I was just there to drive the rental car and be the mom if he had any issues with his T1D. But it ended up being a real gift to me as well. It was a chance to step away from home projects
A short trip to MN & upcoming art sale
Jeff is usually the one who takes the boys on trips so they can have some father/son bonding time, but he had recently been on a couple of trips, and it would’ve been a stretch to miss more work. So, as we planned a trip to Minnesota for Calvin to visit his friends, it was clear I would be the one to take him. At first, it felt like a minor inconvenience, something I was doing just for him, but
selecting the right height for nightstands
On Instagram yesterday, I was asked if there was a standard for selecting the right height for nightstands. I thought that was a great question and one I never looked up, but I have typically chosen nightstands that felt like the right height for the bed they were paired with. I like nightstands that are roughly the same height as the top of the mattress or perhaps a little bit taller. This makes reaching for things easy when turning off
oil painting video tutorial | white irises
After working on pet and animal portraits for most of this year, I decided to take a little break and paint some still life and landscapes. First of all, I want the practice. I don’t want to get rusty in those subjects, even though working on one kind of painting informs and often improves another. These are also the most popular subjects for licensing, so I wanted to create some new works to submit and sell in my next original
power washing the patio
This project has been on my list since I did my Spring cleaning of the patio and pool deck in April. The patio, particularly the old part, was so dirty and stained. It’s the sort of project that keeps getting put off, though. Not because it’s hard, but because it’s a pain to get the power washer out and set up and to move all of the furniture and heavy concrete planters. We’ve been having great weather this week, though,
antique purchases with mom
Most of you have my taste pretty nailed down! When I asked which pieces you thought I bought while on my antique trip with mom, you were pretty spot on! (You can read that post HERE.) Truth be told, I wanted to buy everything I highlight, but I’ve hit that tipping point where I need to be very particular about what I buy. Years of antiquing as a hobby and a business has my house pretty well furnished. But, my
Everyday Moments
A Slice of Life
what makes you an artist
This is a quote from Junot Díaz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, that I wrote in my notebook years ago. I’ve probably shared it here before, but I thought I would share it again. “A writer is not a writer because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of progress, you
our hotel in Florence
In previous years, we’ve just spent one night in Florence and left early the next morning to fly home. Both times, we happened to be there on a Monday when all the museums were closed. For this trip, we decided we would stay two nights, so we could visit a couple of the museums and see a bit more of Florence. The drive to Florence was uneventful. Our driver dropped three women from our group at the airport before taking
the last day in Sovicelle, Italy
Our last day of the Prone to Wander retreat was spent at the farm (podere) with a relaxed schedule. After a late breakfast, we gathered for a cooking class taught by Orsa, our host and the culinary mind behind the lunches and dinners we ate at the retreat. She has her degree in culinary anthropology, so she has abundant knowledge of regional food, dishes, and cooking techniques. She taught us how to make Pappa al Pomodoro or “bread soup.” With
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
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