Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 4 of 56

Artistic Endeavors

Spring Break Paintings

Painting really is like any other skill or strength-based activity. If you step away from it, even for a few days, there is a bit of dust to knock off when you get back to it. For this reason, I wanted to try to fit in some painting while I was at the beach. Not only is it good practice in general, but it’s good practice to get better at painting when away from my studio. I feel pretty confident in saying that I’m much more comfortable as a studio painter, but I do want to improve when it comes to painting in a new environment with different light, and pared-down tools and materials. It’s also a nice way to fill the time when the sun is too intense for me to be on the beach. I painted on the covered porch at our rental house when the weather was

March 23, 2026 8 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

King Louis & Sky Miles | IOP Dog Reunions

Each morning, as we walk and collect shells on the beach, there is also a dog party happening. At Isle of Palms, dogs are allowed off their leashes to run free for a few hours each morning, and both owners and dogs take advantage. Dogs are running in the surf, chasing balls, playing with each other, greeting all the other beach-goers (who are there for them, naturally), and jogging alongside their owners. It finally occurred to me in 2024 that it was the perfect opportunity to gather reference photos of dogs! I did it secretly for a couple of days, pretending to photograph the beach, clouds, and surf, while also capturing a dog trotting in the water after a tennis ball. Finally, I got a little braver and asked the owners if I could photograph their dogs. Everyone I asked was happy to oblige, and most even helped me get

March 17, 2026 7 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

what makes you an artist

This is a quote from Junot Díaz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, that I wrote in my notebook years ago. I’ve probably shared it here before, but I thought I would share it again. “A writer is not a writer because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of progress, you keep writing anyway.“ As I was reviewing my manuscript, some of my own words hit me afresh. ‘You are the thing when you do the thing.” Sometimes we hesitate to call ourselves something, especially if we’re new at it, we do it for a hobby, or we feel like we aren’t good enough to claim the title. But you are a writer if you write. You are a painter if

March 4, 2026 9 Comments

Art

my painting style

When you first start a creative endeavor, you’re just trying to do the thing, and you aren’t too worried about what bucket or genre you might fit in. As you grow and start to find your style and voice, you do start to wonder where you fit. When people have asked me to define my art style over the years, I haven’t really been sure how to answer. I like the impressionists, but my work clearly doesn’t look like a Monet or Degas. My paintings are more “impressionistic”, though, in that I avoid getting too far in the weeds with detail. I try to say as much as I can with what I need and no more. I also usually paint what I see and want my art to look like a painting of a real subject or place. Even with all the studying and reading I’ve done about art

February 24, 2026 8 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

My new book | Cover & Title Reveal

I am so excited to finally reveal the title and cover for my new book – Move Slow & Make Things: Pursuing the Delightfully Fulfilling Creative Life. This book was born out of hundreds of conversations I’ve had with people over the years, in person, in small groups, and online, about creativity and what it means to be an artist. Sometimes, the conversation starts with a question from someone seeking to make more room for creativity in their own life: How did you start painting? How do you grow as an artist? When did you consider yourself a writer or an artist? How do I make time in my life for creative endeavors? Sometimes, the conversation starts with a remark that often stems from the assumption that certain artistic abilities are an elusive gift bestowed on only a few: I wish I could paint. I’ve always wanted to do fill-in-the-blank.

February 16, 2026 15 Comments

Art

Fine Art Prints available at Marrs on Main

After working with Jenny Marrs on pet portraits for one of her design clients (you can read about that HERE), the shop manager for Marrs on Main reached out to me about carrying some of my prints in the store. I was naturally excited about the opportunity, but I had never sold prints directly, so I had a lot of logistics to figure out. The first step was finding a printer I liked, so I ordered a bunch of print samples from several companies in different finishes to find my favorite. I compared all of my sample prints (I ordered two of my paintings, one light and one dark, in 5 x 7s of each paper) and selected the one I liked best. Then, I needed to figure out the packaging. Prints are a fairly delicate product. You don’t want them getting smudged, bent, marked, or wet, so they

February 10, 2026 1 Comment

Art

Encouraging words from Degas about AI

“Without a heart, can one not be an artist?” – Edgar Degas I heard this quote in Sebastian Smee’s book The Art of Rivalry. It was in the context of Degas’s reputation for being a misogynist and having an aversion to love and marriage. He said and wrote things that seemed to show at least some sentimentality and softness, including the quote above, and an anecdote about when he and Monet argued about who cared for Berthe Morisot more as they organized a retrospective after her death. I wrote the quote in my Commonplace Notebook for future reference. AI seems to come up in conversation with more and more regularity, especially when it comes to creative work. Will AI make artists, writers, filmmakers, designers, and the like obsolete? One of my commission clients sent me an AI-produced “oil painting” of her dog, and I have to admit, it was a

February 4, 2026 7 Comments

Art

As seen on HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous

This summer, I worked on my largest-ever commissioned pet portrait project – a collection of five original oil paintings for Jenny Marrs, to be featured in a home makeover on Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. It started when Jenny reached out to ask me to write an endorsement for her new book. As much as time allows, I try to say yes to those requests to support other writers and creative entrepreneurs. As I was reading through the digital sample of the book so I could write the endorsement, I realized that we both went to high school in Orlando, Florida. As it turns out, we went to rival schools, and I was just a couple of years ahead of her! I would imagine we crossed paths at some point. Anyway, this led to more chit-chat, and I had the thought that I should present the idea of using my

January 14, 2026 31 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.