Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 30 of 58

Artistic Endeavors

Art

creative play | handmade brushes & pens

Let me just first put it out there that I don’t need another hobby. I have too many already and not enough time to do them all! I just can’t help myself, though. I get curious about something and then I want to try it out. Honestly, I like the excuse to delve into a new corner of the world of art supplies, too. I would love to get into pottery, but I’m realizing that is very involved, and going to a class (once we’re past this pandemic) might be a good place to start. But one thing that has captured my interest that I can do in my own studio is handmade brushes and pens. I’ve seen some handmade brushes and pens here and there online, but it was the book that gave me the nudge to try it myself. Coincidentally, Jeanne Oliver also offered a class on handmade

December 2, 2020 11 Comments

All Things Home

black Friday art sale & giveaway

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’m still taking some time off, but I wanted to share just one Black Friday sale for those who are interested. If you missed the original art sale I had last week, I have added some of my new paintings to Society6 and they are having a Black Friday sale today! This includes 50% off wall art! Here are a few of the recent additions for the Black Friday art sale… abstract landscape pair 1/2 and 2/2 abstract seascape no. 5 nice view no. 1 nice view no. 3 …and Nice View no. 5, which is the Blue Nose II Schooner I also added some of my older paintings for the Black Friday art sale, like the Pair of Pears and a couple of the barns. I hope you find something you like if my paintings speak to you and you’re looking to

November 27, 2020 391 Comments

a slice of life

cleaning a set of antique pastels

When I shared about antique and vintage art supplies in THIS POST, I also did a bit of window shopping to share some listings on Etsy and eBay. Well, my window shopping turned into actual shopping when I found this set of antique pastels listed for a great price. It was purchased by the seller at an estate sale in Scotland and it just spoke to me. I snapped it right up! Unfortunately, when it arrived, it wasn’t packaged as well as it could’ve been and one of the pastels (it looked like black or close to black) was pulverized and made quite a mess. It was all over the inside the of the box, the bubble wrap and the interior of the box. I receievd a partial refund from the seller for the damage to the set, which I was happy with. I now had to go about cleaning

November 18, 2020 44 Comments

All Things Home

reassessing the art studio

Every once in a while, I have to reaccess my art studio and how it functions. For while, I have felt like I needed more flat work surfaces. My primary work surfaces are tilted (the easel and the drafting table) and I just have the flat surface of my desk. I found myself wishing the back wall of my studio was just about two or three feet wider, so I would have plenty of room to add a generously-sized, counter-height island right in the middle. But, moving walls is complicated and expensive, so that will remain a wish and a note for any future studio. I decided to set my so it was level and used it like that for much of the week. I think I would miss having the table titled, though, which I use for sketching and watercolor. It’s not too hard to adjust, but it does

November 9, 2020 34 Comments

a slice of life

this is the project I’ve been working on…

For the past several months, I have mentioned here and there that I’ve been working on various projects – writing, working on my house, and doing photo shoots. These smaller projects are all a part of one big project. This project hasn’t been a secret one, but I wanted to wait to announce it until I was a little further along in the process. Here’s the big news… I wrote a book! Well, more accurately, I’m in the process of writing a book. I wrote the complete manuscript and took hundreds of photos and turned them all in to start the editing and layout process a couple of weeks ago. There is still a lot of work to do, but the heart of the work is complete. So, let me rewind a bit and tell you the story of how this came about… I have written a book before, Inspired

October 26, 2020 101 Comments

All Things Home

five things | antique & vintage art supplies

Antique and vintage art supplies have become one of my favorite things to shop for and collect. As I’ve hunted for them, I’ve learned that they are not the easiest thing to find! I think that makes the hunt even more exciting, but it can also be frustrating when you’re hoping to find something specific. I have managed to acquire some beautiful pieces recently, so I thought I would share those as well as five things I’ve learned about shopping for antique and vintage art supplies. Warning: If you’re an art supply addict, as I am, prepare yourself for some gorgeousness… one | look often & everywhere I think this philosophy is true any time you’re shopping for antiques. You just have to look everywhere and look regularly. You never know when you’ll trip across some antique paint box that someone dropped off at the thrift store or an estate

October 22, 2020 24 Comments

Art

pear platter, prints, & tips on licensing artwork

When I first started painting, I wasn’t planning on selling my original works or prints. I just didn’t think my work would be “good enough.” I figured it was something I would do for my own enjoyment, as a side hobby. Well, if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I have a knack for weaving just about any creative endeavor into my business in some form or fashion. It is a trait that has allowed me to pursue things I’m curious about and include them as a productive part of my day. Painting has become another part of my business and I’m excited to share that some of my prints and products are hitting the market! I also wanted to share some tips on licensing for those who are curious about the process or interested in licensing their own artwork. The tricky thing about licensing your

October 20, 2020 37 Comments

a slice of life

needlework & crochet | it’s a winter thing…

I was crocheting almost every day since I learned how to make a simple hat at a women’s event at my church last October. I finally had an excuse to buy yarn and I dove into that endeavor with gusto! It was also great therapy for my hand, which had been hanging lifelessly at the end of an immobilizing sling for about a month. (I had shoulder and bicep surgery last September.) I found it difficult or almost impossible to write, type, draw, paint, take pictures, and do most of the creative tasks I enjoy, so needlework and crochet came into my life at just the right time. I was able to loosely hold the hook or needle in my right hand and do most of the work and movement with my left. I crocheted hats, mittens, glass cozies, pot holders, and a sizeable stack of dishcloths. I made tutorials

October 15, 2020 29 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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