Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 21 of 55

Artistic Endeavors

Writing a Book

the feels like home book launch

Today is the day!! It’s the official book launch day for Feels Like Home! This book is over two years in the making, so it’s so exciting that it’s finally out into the world. I’m also thrilled to share that the is now available to listen to a preview and download. I’ll share more about the process of recording an and why we made one for a decorating book in a future post. I had a little fun with some confetti to celebrate the launch of Feels LIke Home, a project that I am so proud of. I’ve shared before that I think this book is some of the best work I’ve ever done. (And, I feel like I can say that because I don’t always say that.) Sometimes the work I do is good. Sometimes it’s just done. And sometimes it’s special. The process of creating this book felt

October 12, 2021 62 Comments

a slice of life

the feels like home giveaway

I am so excited to share that my new book, , launches in just four days! And this is the final giveaway to celebrate the book launch. This giveaway is appropriately named “The Feels Like Home Giveaway.” In this package of goodies are all things you can use to make your house feel a little more like home. They are all things that are comfortable, beautiful, and work together to create a homey ambiance. You’ll see what I mean as you look through this amazing collection of items… Of course, for the Feels Like Home giveaway, I have to include a signed copy of … I’m also tucking in a couple of things I crocheted – a dishcloth and a little scrubby… I haven’t made patterns for these specific pieces, but you can find other crochet patterns HERE. A beautiful handmade quilt made from fabric I designed by Marilla Melcher

October 8, 2021 782 Comments

All Things Home

the antique post office register

As someone who enjoys unique antique finds and getting goodies in the mail, last week was a banner week! I received several highly anticipated packages (I’ll share about those in other posts) and I made a trip to one of my favorite local consignment shops to pick up a vintage pond yacht I spotted and reserved on their Instagram stories. Of course, while I was in the shop, I needed to take a look around and just a few steps in the door, I knew I was leaving with more than just the pond yacht when I spotted this amazing antique post office register… I had a silent dialogue with myself of how I didn’t really need this piece and I wasn’t even sure if I had room for it in my studio. But, the price was so good for such a unique, quality piece ($228) and all of the

October 4, 2021 41 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

creative play | lino cutting & printing

“You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up for you.” ― Barbara Sher When I was in my 20s, I decided I was going to learn to play the violin. I bought a cheap student violin with a warped bow off of and a beginner’s book with a CD to get started. As I waited for my order to arrive, I had visions of being able to play beautifully from the first stroke. It would be an intuitive talent that was built into my DNA. Well, I pulled my violin out of the case and, just as you would expect, I needed to learn everything. It was disappointingly unfamiliar. I had to learn to set up the bridge, rosin the bow, and the finger placements. I had

September 29, 2021 13 Comments

Art Supplies

Feels Like Home | Giveaway for the Artist

I have another giveaway for you in celebration of my new book, ! It’ll be coming out in just over two weeks!! I’m am so excited that we’re nearing the launch date as this book has been in the works for almost three years. I finished writing it almost a year ago, so I have been waiting for a long time! If you haven’t preordered the book, yet, you can preorder it from any one of these retailers… ||| | And claim your preorder bonuses HERE and find instructions on claiming your preorder bonuses HERE if you need some help. The preorder bonuses include an original art download, a bonus chapter: Feels Like Home the Renter’s Guide, and five video workshops and enhanced tutorials from the book. Today, I am having a bonus giveaway because my friend, Julia of , wanted to join in on the celebratory giveaways and she sent

September 24, 2021 362 Comments

Art Supplies

antique watercolor palettes

Calls with my friend Julia in the UK have become a pretty regular weekly thing. She’ll give me a call or text pictures of some of the latest treasures she found for me. We’ll also just chat about life and family between talks about antique watercolor palettes and other fun art supplies. We are definitely two peas in a pod when it comes to things we love and she’s gracious enough to sell me pieces she loves, too. In one of our recent conversations, as I told her to add something else to my pile for the next box she sends across the pond, she said, “There can’t be much more that you need, right?” I laughed, “First of all, I don’t need any of this!” Art supplies and books have become my vice over the past couple of years and, honestly, there are worse vices to have. I’m sure

September 21, 2021 14 Comments

Art Supplies

back-to-school supplies for mom

Back-to-school is such an exciting time. We make sure the pants are not high-waters, everyone gets a new pair of shoes, and we get to go shopping for pens, pencils, notebooks, and hand sanitizer. But, we also need to take a minute to acknowledge that it’s such a hard time for moms. The house is so quiet and clean and there isn’t anything to do but sit around and be sad until your kids come bounding home from school, ready to eat a snack the size of a meal. It’s just a really rough time and moms deserve some consolation goodies to fill up that quiet, clean hole her kids leave in the house all day. When we get the boys’ supplies ready for back-to-school, we take an inventory of things we already have and then shop for the things that aren’t crossed off the list. Moms are exempt from

September 14, 2021 30 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

start where you’ll start

There’s a popular saying, “Start where you are.” I’d like to tweak that a little bit. Start where you’ll start. That has been the answer I’ve given several different people over the past few weeks who have asked me a variety of questions. “We just moved into a new house and I’m not sure where to start decorating. Where do you suggest starting?” There are a few different places you could start depending on the house and your situation. Obviously, time, finances, and the bandwidth of life all play into working on a house. So, here are a few possibilities… Start where it’s easiest – the room feels like it would take the shortest amount of time to finish. You already have most of the components of the room and finishing it would be relatively quick and low cost. Start where you have the clearest vision. Sometimes we know exactly

September 13, 2021 9 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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