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Artistic Endeavors

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first willow garden structure project & an English dovecote

Several of you have asked about the English dovecote hanging near our front door as well as the willow garden support, so I wanted to back up a bit and share about those two pieces. Since the English dovecote came first, let’s start with that. I was initially planning on making a trellis for this bit of wall that would complement the two larger trellises on the wall just around the corner, but I was wondering if that might be trellis overload. This wall needed something, though. Maria of Dreamy Whites had sent me a dovecote from one of her shopping trips in England and Europe last year, but it had been waiting in the basement until we started working more on the exterior of the house. I have long admired English dovecotes and knew I wanted to mount one somewhere in the yard or on the house, but there

June 3, 2024 12 Comments

a slice of life

back to IOP for a creative retreat

The last time I met up with Shaunna for a creative retreat was in February 2020. We met up in Panama City Beach, Florida to spend a few days at her parent’s amazing condo that overlooked the ocean. We ate charcuterie boards and ordered DoorDash. We painted, played, talked, took notes, dreamed, asked questions, listened to music, and rested. It was such a wonderful time and I couldn’t wait to do it again. (You can read more about my past creative retreats HERE.) Well, we all know what was around the corner in March of that year. We have talked about doing a creative retreat for years but the timing was always off for one or both of us. In addition, her parents were weary of repairing the property after the hurricanes (including a contractor who started squatting in the place) and sold their condo. We would look at the

April 24, 2024 9 Comments

Art

original art sale preview | April 15, 2024

I can’t believe the last time I had an original art sale was last August! The months just fly by and the collection of recent works has just been hanging out in my studio. I kept thinking I would wait to have a sale until I completed more paintings to add, but once I gathered all of the paintings in a stack, I realized I had enough to schedule a sale. I have learned that clearing paintings out of the studio that are just learning on the drying shelf or sitting in a stack, gives me motivation to produce more paintings. I think it makes physical space as well as creative space to do something new. I’m excited about this sale because it offers a mix of subjects and a variety of sizes. I’m selling a bunch of smaller works as well as works on paper, so there are some

April 10, 2024 No Comments

Artistic Endeavors

playing with abstract art

If you had asked me a few years ago if I had any interest in abstract art, I would’ve told you confidently that it’s not my thing at all. More than that, abstract art seems too chaotic, pointless, and lacks a true display of artistic talent in my estimation. As the famous quote goes – Modern art = I can do that + yeah but you didn’t Maybe, if you splatter enough paint on canvases and put enough colors next to one another, you’ll come out with a winner eventually. It might just boil down to high creative output and luck. And then, art snobs will stand in front of a work the right person called a masterpiece and try to ascertain the deeper meaning. Honestly, it all seemed silly and pretentious. But, then I started intently studying art about five years ago. I did a deep dive into art

March 21, 2024 16 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

five projects for creative play

Just as I was starting to gain my energy and feel better after being sick, I got hit again! I tested positive for the flu on Monday, so I am back to snuggling with the kitties most of the day. I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten two viruses back to back like this and it is the pits. I am ready to get back to my usual work and life routines, but I am thankful that it’s just a virus, it’s temporary, and I’ll be back to my old self soon. I’m also so glad I made a big batch of Carrot White Bean Soup (recipe HERE), a dozen Chicken Patties (recipe HERE), and a container of brown rice. We’ve been able to eat off of that and the carrot soup has been soothing on my throat. Anyway, since I’m down and out again and not working on new

February 27, 2024 7 Comments

Crochet & Knitting Patterns

crochet vs. knitting – updated

Over three years ago, I wrote a post sharing my thoughts on crochet vs. knitting. You can find that original post HERE. I had just learned how to knit, so it was perhaps a little premature to make the comparison, but I wanted to share how I initially felt about the two yarn crafts. I had been crocheting for over a year and was excited about testing the knitting waters. I’ve now been crocheting for just over four years and knitting for just over three, so I feel like I can make a better comparison and offer some tips, patterns, tutorials, and other resources if you’d like to pick up one or both of these creative hobbies. I’m going to go through the same comparison questions I wrote in my initial post, share my previous answer, and then what I think now. crochet vs. knitting – which one is easiest?

February 23, 2024 12 Comments

Art

Free Oil Painting Tutorial – Two Geranium Studies

For those who have been asking about free oil painting tutorials, here’s one for you! I have been toying with the idea of starting a Patreon page where I can offer painting tutorials for a small monthly subscription to those who are interested, but I kept stalling on launching it. The idea became more of a roadblock than an incentive for me to offer more painting tutorials and I’ve learned that when I’m dragging my feet on something I want to do, I need to go back to the drawing board and determine my hang-up. I realized that it felt like too much pressure when my focus is diffused in this season of my business (working on my home, working on book proposals, writing this blog, painting for original art sales.) I just needed to keep it simple and I can continue making painting videos and sharing what I’m learning

February 20, 2024 10 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

antique shoe cart reproduction & inspiration

Over the years, I have bought and sold more antique “shoe carts” than I can properly remember. These antique shelves on wheels are called shoe carts because they were often used in shoe factories to transport shoes around the factory. I have found carts that are all different shapes and sizes and made in different styles. Some have spindles making the “shelves” instead of a board (like the first shelf.) I always preferred the ones that had solid shelves (or could be adapted with boards) so they were more versatile. I’ve mostly used these antique shoe carts for retail display or storage in my old studio in PA, but I did use one or two in my home over the years in my kitchen and home office. When I was an antique dealer, I bought and sold a lot of ironstone, so these carts were fantastic for displaying stacks of

February 13, 2024 8 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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