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Art

Art

new art course | alla prima

I was going to post more large pieces for sale in my blog post today, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.  Today, I have something to share that I am super excited about!  Earlier this year, I created and filmed another online art course for Jeanne Oliver’s website and this project was definitely on my list of favorites.  I loved thinking through the content and creating it.  I’m proud to announce Alla Prima, an online art course focusing on still life painting in oils, is now open for early registration. Here is a video preview of Alla Prima to show the projects and skills we work on in the class… When I was creating this class, I knew I wanted to focus on painting still life.  It is a painting practice that can sound a little boring and academic, but it’s an important part of growing as an

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Art

original art sale preview | march 18, 2022

Before I get into the details of the art sale preview, I wanted to let you know that 25% of the gross sales will go to Samaritan’s Purse, specifically for the emergency field hospital they are setting up in Lviv to help those injured in the war in Ukraine.  It is a good cause, but also a personal one since one of our good friends is serving in that hospital. A few other notes on the sale… The original art sale will go live on March 18, 2022, at 10:00 am CST.  You will be able to find all of the paintings HERE.  They will not show up until the sale goes live. The paintings are first come first serve.  There is only one of each and they sell quickly.  That is why I post this preview, so you can think about what you want and head straight for it

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Art

15 creative exercises to fill your sketchbook

Last night, I said it out loud.  “I am finally starting to really see myself as an artist.”  I have put the title on my profiles and have reluctantly used it in introductions, but I didn’t really feel it down to my bones.  I don’t know what shifted or what gave me permission to internally embrace it, but it happened recently.  I’ll have to think about it a bit more…about what changed and why.  But the result is that I feel freer and more willing to make a mess and create something I don’t like.  I feel more accepting of what comes out of my hands.  And I feel more excited to draw and paint.  I am hoping to share some of that enthusiasm with you by starting at the simplest, most honest, and forgiving place an artist can start – a sketchbook.  I’m going to share 15 sketchbooks exercises

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Art

impressionist still life series

After over a decade of creating as a profession, I’ve learned that I have creative seasons and that suits my generalist approach to business and creativity.  I like to dabble, explore, learn, and “have my fingers in a lot of different pies” as my friend Shaunna puts it.  And those seasons are shared here on the blog – a virtual space that has always been more about my story and less about one specific topic.  Sometimes I’m hip-deep in working on my house, other times I’m stripping down and upholstering a parade of French chairs, or getting crafty for the holidays.  Recently, I have been spending more time in my studio at the easel painting, which feels good after largely avoiding my brushes since late last summer.  And I have gotten back to the basics, working on a series of still life paintings in an impressionist style.  I have been

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Art

a collection of the best art books (over 300!)

If it isn’t completely obvious to you already, I’ll just lay it out there plainly… I’m a collector. I don’t know if it’s genetics or upbringing or just a personality trait, but I have that drive to hunt, find, collect, and curate things of interest.  It doesn’t matter if I’m taking a walk on the beach, looking for shells and sharks’ teeth, or scrolling online to score an antique that will fill a hole in a growing collection. What I collect has changed over the years.  While I am an avid collector of whatever currently excites me, I have gotten better about curating those collections more intentionally and knowing when I have enough and can just pick up a rare find here and there.  And then I move on to the next thing.  Art books have been my fastest-growing collection in the past couple of years and I have amassed

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Art

oil paintings & studies from my break

During my winter break, I really wanted to get back into the habit of oil painting most days if not every day.  In the late summer, early fall, I didn’t have very much time to paint and I found it difficult to make it a priority.  Even when I had the time, I would sit in my studio, aimless.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted to paint and the negative self-talk about my abilities and the potential end result of the painting were strong.  I wish I could always say that I’m confident and inspired, but there are seasons when I’m not.  There are seasons when certain creative endeavors feel like a slog.  I think that’s one reason why I’ve delved into so many things.  When I feel a little wobbly or unsure in one area, I slide over to another until the confidence and inspiration return. You can tell

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Art

Handmade Watercolor Binder Recipe & Video

I’ve lately felt like I needed new creative pursuits.  It’s not that I don’t have enough, but I’ve felt the need to try new things, to be a beginner, and to create something without any expectation on the outcome.  I’ve just needed creative process.  Maybe it’s because of weariness from the pandemic or weariness from writing, styling, and shooting a book, or a combination of everything.  As I shared in my post about the pigments from Choosing Keeping last week, something I bought as a “book gift” for myself, this was also an exploration of what big things might come next.  It doesn’t mean that mixing my own paints is what’s next, but it’s something I’m curious and drawn to, so I’m allowing myself time to explore it, knowing that one new creative endeavor can lead to another.  Knowing that discovery sparks more ideas.  And I thought I would share

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Art

3rd completed sketchbook tour

I actually finished my 3rd sketchbook back in August, but I haven’t taken the time to film a little sketchbook tour video.  I like doing those because they hold me accountable, but I’ve also received wonderful feedback from people who have shared how it’s encouraged them.  Keeping a sketchbook really has changed me as an artist.  It’s helped me to loosen up, try more mediums, experiment, and explore in ways I didn’t feel as free to on a panel or on a piece that was supposed to be “finished” and good enough to sell.  I’m falling in love with watercolors, pen & ink, and charcoal.  I think oil will always be my first love with it comes to art mediums, but I’m enjoying the growth in other mediums.  I’m also learning that growth in one medium helps you grow in others.  I’m getting better at interpreting what I see in

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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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May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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