Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 16 of 55

Artistic Endeavors

Art Supplies

creativity is calling

As you may have guessed, I really miss my studio. It’s not so much that I miss that specific physical space, but I miss having a dedicated place for creative work. As well as a dedicated space to keep all of my creative tools and supplies. But, as they say, missing makes the heart grow fonder. I will enjoy having my own studio space all the more when we close on a new home. Until then, I am making the best of setting up at dining tables and drop-leaf occasional tables and outside. All of my hosts have been supportive and encouraging ever as paintings are drying in their garage, balanced precariously on available surfaces. I have also been trying to focus this time on research, learning, and practice. When you’re in flux, it’s a good time to nurture your creative soul with playtime and refill a depleted well by

July 26, 2022 11 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

Lucy Gwyn Estes Vaughan

One of the best things about sharing parts of my work and life here on this blog is connecting with people of similar interests, kindred spirits, and even extended family. When I was going through my family photos in early 2021 as a part of organizing the house, I came across an article about my third-great-grandmother, Lucy Gwyn Estes Vaughan. I shared that article along with other family photos here on the blog in THIS POST and I received a wonderful e-mail in response. Before I get to the e-mail, Alice J Kyle is really a lovely writer. I love how she closed the 101st birthday tribute with the quote, “She is ‘nearing the journey’s end, where time and eternity blend. Soon she will be stepping ashore and finding it Heaven, be taking a hand and finding it God’s, be waking and finding it Home.’” This was the e-mail I

July 19, 2022 21 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

EdgePro PaintBook easel review | art supplies

A few people have asked me about the easel I have been using in my temporary studio, so I thought I would share a review of it now that I’ve been using it for about a month. EdgePro PaintBook Easel in the large size, walnut finish. I’ve been looking at this easel for a long time, but felt like the one I had was sufficient to bring with me on trips. I paint mostly in my studio, so I didn’t need anything too fancy. (As an FYI, I bought this easel and this review is not sponsored.) For a few years, I’ve been using the , which is a great palette/easel combination for the price ($130.) It adjusts to hold small and large panels, the palette is a nice size, and it has side tables for brushes and accessories. After a few years of use, though, the easel started slipping when

June 29, 2022 12 Comments

Art

pet portraits | creative play

After painting a study of Maud Earl’s American Pointer, I felt confident to tiptoe in the world of pet portraits. I suppose I had to because my mom told me that Sebastian was feeling a little jealous that I was painting other dogs. Then, of course, the kitties also felt a little miffed that I was painting dogs and not their beautiful fluffy faces. I had no idea painting would get me in such hot water. In all seriousness, I’ve wanted to paint our animals for a while and I have taken so many pictures of them that I thought would make good paintings. But there are so many elements of pet portraits that I find intimidating. First of all, there is all of the fur, hair, and whiskers. The coloring can be a challenge to capture as well since there can be so many colors mixed together, as in

June 23, 2022 44 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

maud earl pointer study in oils

One of the best parts about being in this transition is that I am finally getting “free time” after all of the preparations and packing that dominated my time the past couple of months. I’ve been doing restful things like watching TV, finishing some knitting projects, and doing lots of drawing and painting. I just have a small rental house to take care of, so I have been a lady of leisure! Well, I’m still working, but my work is enjoyable and I’ve been able to have a lot more flexibility in how I spend my time. That means I’m getting around to painting subjects that have been in my “to paint” file for a long time. Pictures from the beach, landscapes I’ve done sketches of but never painted, and master studies. One of the master studies I have been itching to paint is Head Study of an American Pointer

June 21, 2022 12 Comments

Art Supplies

antique combination sketchbook & palette

One of my observant blog readers noticed that I wrote “I bought art boxes” instead of “I brought art boxes” in yesterday’s post. We both had a laugh at it, but the truth is I have still bought a few things here and there. Some of it was timed to arrive before we closed on our house and some of it has been shipped to my parent’s house. I mean, what are parents for if not to get your mail and store stuff in their garage? (And ask them for your inoculation records when you’re in your 40s. My mom actually said, “You are in your 40s and I have no idea where your inoculation records are.” Valid.) Anyway, in our final week in our house, I received one of my last-minute purchases – an antique combination sketchbook and palette that I just couldn’t resist even in the middle of

June 15, 2022 11 Comments

Art

my temporary studio

As we were looking for an apartment or home to rent for the month between moving out of our house and driving out east, we had a few requirements. Number 1, we didn’t want it to be outrageously expensive and, let me tell you, renting furnished apartments by the month can get absolutely crazy. I was not prepared! The second thing is that we wanted to have enough space so we wouldn’t feel on top of one another for four weeks. That would be three bedrooms so the boys could each have their own personal space. The final thing is that I needed a place to work…a temporary studio. My work can pretty much be done anywhere. I just need my laptop and wifi and I can be productive, but I knew that I would really want a space that felt conducive to writing, painting, and creative work. When I

June 14, 2022 14 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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