Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 17 of 55

Artistic Endeavors

Art Supplies

antique artist’s paint box

Before I no longer had a permanent address, I snuck in a few final purchases. One of those purchases was this antique artist’s paint box. Sniffing out beautiful old boxes online has become a favorite hobby of late and I’m building a nice little collection. I do try to be choosy, though, and select antique art supplies that I will actually use in one way or another, and that isn’t like another piece I already own. I clicked the buy button on this particular antique artist’s paint box without hesitation. The thing that made me smitten with it immediately was the palette… Isn’t that just a lovely collection of color blobs? I will likely hang it on the wall in our new studio because it is certainly art in and of itself. I also imagined using it as color inspiration for original works. I also love the crusty linseed oil

June 8, 2022 9 Comments

Art Supplies

victorian box easel

As I shared earlier this week, packing up the studio has been the hardest part of the move. (You can read about why we’re moving HERE.) feel like I can cook anywhere. I can do laundry anywhere. We can have family pizza movie night anywhere. I will miss our bed and bedding, but I can sleep in any reasonably decent bed and quiet room. But I have wondered about creating in a space other than my studio. There is nothing magical about a particular room, but it is designed specifically for me, the way I work, and the way I want a creative space to feel. I’m used to the light and I know where everything is. I know I will miss that until I can create a new studio wherever we land. I am doing what I can to make my “portable studio”, which consists of bins, bags, and

May 19, 2022 11 Comments

Art

the porcupine by ray french

As I shared in the tour of my great aunt and uncle’s home in South Carolina, they have acquired a lot of interesting art pieces over the years. I wanted to highlight one specifically because it’s a neat piece by a known artist, but also because of a special inscription. The work is the Porcupine, a 1949 engraving by Ray French. At first glance, you might think this is just a framed print, but when you lean in and look… You can see that this is engraving 5/25 and the Porcupine is signed in pencil by Ray French. One cool thing about this particular engraving is that another engraving in the series of the Porcupine was exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in 1949. And you can see that the engraving hanging in my aunt’s house is inscribed “To Marian.” Of course, I wasn’t around in 1949, so I’m

May 9, 2022 12 Comments

Antiques

georgian paintbrushes

I’m going to share more about packing and moving soon, but let’s just take a minute to admire some antique art supplies. Specifically some amazing Georgian paintbrushes. Between getting a house ready to sell, traveling, packing, and being sick, I haven’t had anywhere near as much time in my studio, playing with all of my favorite little things. While I won’t be in my studio, I do hope to take a lot of gear with me so that I can paint and create while we are nomads for the summer. We’ll knock around, stay with family and go to Airbnbs while we’re waiting to see where we land. It’ll be hard for me not to have a home to care for, but I do see potential in the extra creative time I might have. I plan to take advantage of it. So, let’s talk about these beauties. When texted me

April 27, 2022 10 Comments

Art

new art course | alla prima

I was going to post more large pieces for sale in my blog post today, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Today, I have something to share that I am super excited about! Earlier this year, I created and filmed another online art course for Jeanne Oliver’s website and this project was definitely on my list of favorites. I loved thinking through the content and creating it. I’m proud to announce Alla Prima, an online art course focusing on still life painting in oils, is now open for early registration. Here is a video preview of Alla Prima to show the projects and skills we work on in the class… When I was creating this class, I knew I wanted to focus on painting still life. It is a painting practice that can sound a little boring and academic, but it’s an important part of growing as an

April 18, 2022 17 Comments

Art Supplies

antique brass watercolor field box & more

First of all, I have to tell you that my mind is going in about a thousand different directions as I’m thinking about packing, selling things, and getting our whole house and my business ready to move in a few weeks. Between moving as a military brat, frequently as a young adult, and packing up for antique markets, I’m a champion packer/mover, but I still waffle between feeling supremely confident and completely overwhelmed. I just need to take it one step at a time. More posts are coming about the move, things I’m selling, and all of that, but today, I’m sharing a bit of fun – an art supply haul I filmed and shared on YouTube before I left for the beach. This haul includes some new art supplies to test out and a very special piece that was an early birthday present to myself – an antique brass

April 5, 2022 5 Comments

Antiques

antique ivory/bone notebook

“You pretty much have it all by now, don’t you?” Julia often states this when she asks what requests I have when she is at antique markets in the UK. I assured her that there are always new and different things for a collector like me to latch onto. Such was the case when I came across an antique ivory notebook. I was looking through a beautiful book about Jefferson’s and saw a picture of an ivory notebook he carried around in his pocket. He would use it to write down notes, ideas, reminders, and fleeting thoughts. It’s sort of a 1700s combination of a pocket journal and a whiteboard. Quite clever, actually. Jefferson’s was used so often that lines of writing have been etched in the ivory. I snapped a picture of the ivory notebook in my book and sent it to Julia. “This is a long shot, but

March 30, 2022 21 Comments

Art Supplies

antique Japanned watercolor box

In case you hadn’t noticed, I have officially passed the line from buying a few antique art supplies to building a collection. (You can find more posts on art supplies HERE.) The collector in me always gets excited about the next thing to collect when I feel satisfied with a collection. Ironstone, for example, is something I have collected for years, but I have so many pieces and so many wonderful pieces that it feels pretty complete. I won’t turn down an amazing piece if I find it, but I’m not actively looking to grow my collection. But, collecting antique art supplies is still fairly new and I’m always finding new pieces to add, including this antique Japanned watercolor box I bought from my friend Julia. A watercolor box that is “Japanned” is painted in a glossy black paint that was meant to mimic Japanese lacquer work. These boxes can

March 17, 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.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.