Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 15 of 55

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

Artistic Endeavors

Kitchin Sketchbook Wrapping Paper

In April of 2021, I went out on a limb and purchased something that spoke to me in a way that sticks out in all of my years of buying and selling antiques. It was a lot of four antique sketchbooks from the late 1800s to early 1900s by architect and artist George Herbert Kitchin. I bought them from my (now) dear friend, Julia Butler of Ponder & Purchase. You can read more about them HERE. I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do with them, but I knew the possibilities were endless. Aside from my own study and enjoyment of them, it would be fun to share the sketches with others in prints, patterns, and anything my brain can think up. These sketchbooks have led to all sorts of surprising places. I’ve heard from some of George Herbert Kitchin’s extended family, from an author who has written books about

December 9, 2022 47 Comments

Crochet & Knitting Patterns

selbu mitten knitting tutorial | parts three & four

Well, it took me a little while, but I finally got around to editing the final video in the Selbu mitten knitting tutorial. I really hope this is a helpful tutorial for those who, like me, always, wanted to make something like this. You learn so many knitting skills when working on a mitten like this, so it’s easy to move on to other projects like socks, more details hats, and (dare I say) even sweaters! I don’t know if I’ll ever have the patience and perseverance to make a sweater, but I like little projects like mittens and socks that take a few hours and still look pretty impressive. In case you missed it, you can find the first two parts of this Selbu mitten knitting tutorial below… Selbu Mitten Tutorial Part 1 | Materials, Working on Double Pointed Needles, Casting On, & Starting the Cuff Selbu Mitten Tutorial

October 12, 2022 6 Comments

All Things Home

for the love of antique portraits…

One thing I want more of in our next home is antique portraits (or studies of new old portraits.) I have always loved how antique portraits look in a home, so when I first started working with oil paints about five years ago, I imagined painting portraits to hang in my house. It took me a while to get there, but I eventually did a master study of Manet’s Morisot and I was hooked. She wasn’t perfect and certainly not as masterful as Manet’s version, but she was an original oil portrait painting hanging in my house. I even had an antique frame that fit her perfectly. I then had a chance to work with French Art Shop and ordered an antique portrait of a young boy. I always thought that antique oil portraits were wildly expensive (and they can be), but they can also be a reasonable investment. Something

September 5, 2022 34 Comments

Photography

my DSLR camera gear & tips | creative business

This week, I was asked to give recommendations for a “real camera” and lenses. As I started answering the question, I decided digging up an old post I wrote about my camera gear and sharing that link would be a more thorough answer, but then I saw that post was 11 years old! Yeah, I need to write an updated post sharing about my camera gear, why I have each piece of kit, how I use it and offer some tips when you’re shopping for a DSLR camera and using it to shoot interiors and products. To start off, let me say that I shoot Nikon, so those are the products I will recommend. I know many people prefer Canon, so if that’s your preference, you can find comparable camera bodies and lenses. Both brands are excellent and it really does come down to preference. It is nice to

August 25, 2022 13 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

Crochet & Knitting Patterns

Selbu mitten knitting tutorial | part two | colorwork

Is anyone knitting selbu mittens along with me? I spent the weekend working on the mitten I’m filming for the tutorial, which was a nice activity given that I’ve been ordered to stay off my foot. I gave several pairs as gifts to friends and family this year, but I still have a few more pairs to make, which is why I’m getting a head start as we start heading into fall. (I wish the weather felt more like fall. I am over the humidity.) Anyway, this post and video are part two of the selbu/nordic mitten knitting tutorial. In this video, we’ll get into colorwork knitting. I’ll show how to start the pattern and how to make increases for the thumb. You can find the selbu mitten knitting tutorial part one HERE. In that post and video, we review the materials, cast on, learn how to work on double-pointed

August 9, 2022 13 Comments

Crochet & Knitting Patterns

Selbu Mitten Knitting Tutorial | Part One

I started making Selbu mittens last year and several people asked if I could make a comprehensive selbu mitten knitting tutorial, so here it is! It’s still in the 90s outside, but if you want to make these for yourself or to give as gifts, it’s nice to get a headstart. Since it’s a process with several steps, I will break this tutorial up into a series of videos and blog posts. These mittens take me about 6-8 hours to make, but I am not a very fast knitter. People who have more streamlined mechanics can probably crank these out faster! If you’re new to knitting Selbu (Norweigian/Scandinavian) Mittens, I would suggest checking out this post as a resource before you get started – Making Selbu Mittens |Tips for Beginners. I’ll reiterate some tips and encouragement here, though. First of all, making mittens might seem intimidating and these selbu mittens

August 4, 2022 11 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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