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Creative Play

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,

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

August 23, 2022 9 Comments

Art

ten days of art | creative play

As I shared in THIS POST, I want to make the most of this season of waiting. One of the things I want to do is take some art classes that had to be set on the back burner when I needed to focus my attention on packing. Now, I am able to find some time to learn, read, and practice. If you know me at all, you know that I am a multi-tasker when it comes to just about everything! I’m usually not reading one book, but several…listening to an audiobook, reading another, and looking at another picture-heavy book for inspiration. I don’t just sit and watch TV, but I watch TV and knit or sketch or sew or get on the floor and stretch. And, when I’m taking an art class, I don’t just take one, but bounce between a few. The class that I’m focusing on the

July 14, 2022 7 Comments

Art Supplies

art supplies | ribbon ties

I remember reading a magazine article about the dos and don’ts of decorating according to interviewed experts. One of the designers said an absolute don’t was bows. Even when I read it, I had an immediate reaction. Oh, I totally disagree. I mean, I think we can agree on huge bow tiebacks on curtains in 1980s mauve, but bows can be lovely, feminine, and a great little finishing detail. I’m thinking specifically about simple bows on the back of a slipcover, tie details on the top of a pillow, and a ribbon tie holding a book closed. A few vintage art portfolios I’ve purchased have had ribbon ties and I felt inspired by them. There’s something in the act of untying a ribbon that makes it feel like you’re in for a treat just opening the book. It’s a little gift, even if it’s not a surprise. So, I’m no

March 10, 2022 20 Comments

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

February 16, 2022 19 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

embroidery workbook

While getting lost down an internet rabbit hole a few months ago, I found some lovely examples of . For a time, every school girl had an embroidery workbook to learn basic necessary sewing and mending skills. In a time when people just had 2-3 outfits and most items were handmade, these were as essential as typing is today. I actually remember, even in the 1980s, making a cross-stitch sampler in school. Although, at that time both boys and girls did the project and it was more of a craft than a life lesson. I was able to purchase a series of three antique sewing books from 1902 to1905, all completed by the same school girl. They are fairly simple, but some of these books can have miniature dresses, aprons, lacework, monograms, etc. You can see how women in the 1800s turned out such beautiful sheets, tea towels, and other

January 31, 2022 21 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

creating like a bowerbird

Last year, I was introduced to the bowerbird through Sibella Court’s book . It’s a gorgeous book about creating beautiful interiors with collected items. As someone who loves collecting, hunting, pecking, and curating, that book was right up my alley. But, I recently did more research on the bowerbird and realized I have more in common with this bird than I knew. The bowerbird goes beyond collection and creating, but collects and creates very specifically. The satin bowerbird collects and decorates only with things that are a specific shade of blue. He’ll even go so far as to pick things out of his surrounding area that are colors he doesn’t like (reds and pinks specifically.) If you’ve read my blog for a while, my de-redding things will have a familiar ring. In my personal creative time (creative work that isn’t specifically for creating profit but is just to play for

November 15, 2021 31 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

making handmade watercolors

You can find the first part of this series about making handmade watercolors HERE. That post shares about the pigments I purchased. In the second post, I shared the handmade watercolor binder recipe I’m testing out. You can find that post (along with a printable recipe and video HERE.) I received so many comments and messages from people who were eager to see the binder actually mixed with the pigment to make handmade watercolors and that is going to happen in this post and video! Let me lead off by saying this is my first time making handmade watercolors. I’m very experienced when it comes to working with paints and pigments, but actually mixing the paints is new to me. I am so excited to finally be doing it though. It was actually on my to-do list for 2021, because it’s something I’ve been curious about and interested in trying

November 11, 2021 6 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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Creative Play

customizing a boring sketchbook/notebook

sketchbook tour | August 2022

ten days of art | creative play

art supplies | ribbon ties

15 creative exercises to fill your sketchbook

embroidery workbook

creating like a bowerbird

making handmade watercolors

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

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