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Creative Play
a slice of life

better & done

What started as “feeling under the weather” and having a bit of a sore throat early last week turned into being flat-out sick mid-week.  So instead of photographing things I’ve worked on, painting in my studio, and getting things ticked off the to-do list, I was blowing my nose raw and redecorating my nightstand with coughdrops, saltines, a thermometer, and an array of beverages.  While I didn’t appreciate the little detour my week took, the kitties loved the extra snuggles and hardly left my side.  I’m still dealing with a cough and fatigue, but I am definitely on the upswing. Since I didn’t get to take those new pictures and work on putting new posts together, I am picking up a post I started writing a few months ago.  I looked back over my drafts and this one made me smile as I reread what was already written and I

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February 5, 2024 29 Comments
Art

three art exercises to loosen up & get unstuck

Sometimes it’s little things that make you feel stuck.  A few months ago, I stopped filming art videos and tutorials.  I was busy and the house was noisy and messy due to renovations, but that hadn’t stopped me before.  I finally realized that making videos fell off a cliff when I moved my desk away from the window.  I didn’t feel like I had a nice, bright place to film, so I just stopped filming.  I moved my desk back a few weeks ago and I’ve already filmed several painting videos, including the one I’m sharing in this post. I’m sharing this to introduce an art video that feels a little out of the blue since I haven’t made one in a while, but also as a prompt.  If you feel creatively stuck, maybe one small change will get you creating again.  Maybe you need better light, some fun new

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October 6, 2023 13 Comments
Artistic Endeavors

stitch & fable | small business spotlight

There are times when you know you’ve found a kindred spirit in the online world.  With all of the negative things that come with social media and the internet, that is one of the best things.  You can find people from all over the globe who love the things you love.  Such was the case with Rachel of Stitch & Fable, an antique textile business based in Leicestershire, England. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I love antique and vintage textiles. Just a bit. And I also enjoy projects that require me to slow down, work with my hands, and have something beautiful to show for that time and work.  I’m not a great seamstress and am probably too impatient to ever produce anything that would be a stellar example of needlework, but I enjoy it. So, when I found Stitch

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April 20, 2023 4 Comments
Art

my birthday art supply bag

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m always dabbling in new things.  I like to learn, grow, and find new ways to express my creativity.  I’ve been that way for as long as I can remember.  You may also know that I take a lot of art classes and read many art books so I’m learning a variety of techniques and styles from various artists.  I tend to lean towards being tighter and more traditional in my work, both in decorating and art, so I like to expose myself to creators who are totally free spirits.  They slosh around their paints with abandon.  They scribble and play and end up creating something that I find myself attracted to.  It’s not really my style or the kind of artwork I want to make, but it’s a kind of play that can help loosen me up a bit. So

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April 17, 2023 10 Comments
Artistic Endeavors

crinkled seam binding ribbon & the book of trees

I love how one little bit of inspiration can lead me down a creative rabbit trail.  Such was the case with the “Book of Circles” tutorial offered by Rachel of The Travelling Bookbinder. Right away, I knew I wanted to make a little book with some of my antique papers.  I have a tendency of buying them and then not use them.  I sort of just want to keep them and have them, which means they aren’t really being enjoyed.  I need to frame them, use them in projects, and let go of the idea that they are too special.  Isn’t it funny that we often like to save the nice things and use the not-so-nice things?  So backwards.  Anyway, I pulled out some of my antique papers for this project. Instead of making a book of circles, I decided to make a book of trees.  I’ve been working on

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March 21, 2023 13 Comments
Art

two sketchbook tours | artistic endeavors

As I have shared in a few posts recently, I made the commitment to draw and/or paint daily in 2023.  Daily-ish.  And I’d say I’ve done pretty well given the number of paintings I have produced and that I’ve finished two sketchbooks that had been languishing in my studio unfinished for a while.  I have already started on three new sketchbooks (I’ll share why I work on more than one later in this post), but I set these aside to do two sketchbook tours together.  Sharing these sketchbooks accomplishes a few things for me.  First of all, it’s a record that I keep for myself in case these sketchbooks are ever damaged or lost.  Second, there is some accountability in knowing that I will be sharing them.  Third, as with everything I share, I hope the sketchbook tours will be an encouragement to someone.  Maybe seeing my creative play, my

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February 16, 2023 7 Comments
Artistic Endeavors

customizing a boring sketchbook/notebook

Over the Christmas break, I wanted to take some time for creative play.  It’s a meandering that doesn’t have a real purpose but almost always ends up being productive.  I was eyeing my sketchbooks in a pile by my desk and decided it was time to do something with those black, faux leather covers.  I know, for some people, the exterior of a sketchbook or notebook isn’t a big deal, but I have found that aesthetics are important to me when it comes to creative work.  If a sketchbook feels in tune with my style, it’s more enjoyable to work in. The other end of that spectrum is if a sketchbook is too expensive and feels too precious, then I am not as free in it.  I put way too much pressure on myself to do “good work” that the purpose of the sketchbook, which is practice, play, and experiment,

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January 9, 2023 21 Comments
Art

sketchbook tour | August 2022

The purpose of drawing and painting in a sketchbook is for practice, exploration, and experimentation.  It’s really not meant for public consumption, but it is a personal endeavor.  But, I admit that I find studying the sketchbooks of others to be more beneficial and interesting than studying the finished works.  The sketches show the thought process, the approach, and how a highly refined painting starts with the roughest of ideas.  It makes fine art, good art, feel more attainable.  For this reason, I like sharing a sketchbook tour each time I complete one. There has been a lull between my last sketchbook tour for a few reasons.  Of course, the move, being sick, breaking my foot, travel, and lots of other things which ate into the time I might steal away to complete a page or two.  But, I ended up having more time on my hands when the first

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August 23, 2022 9 Comments

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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