Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 7 of 54

Artistic Endeavors

Art

Index Card Art Project 2025 | Inspiration & References

For those joining me in the #indexcardartproject (or those who are just interested in following along), I decided to walk through my inspiration for this project along with some of the reference photos I’m using. I’m going to stick with landscapes as I did for the previous two Index Card Art Projects, primarily because I haven’t worked on landscapes lately and would like to give them some attention. Little studies are a great way to practice color mixing and composition. I will paint a mix of my own reference photos and some master studies. Here is a video showing my sources of inspiration as well as some of the reference photos I’ll be painting from. All of the reference photos are royalty-free and available on the Artist Reference Photos website. The books shared in this video are… Composition of Outdoor Painting… This is a must-have book by Edgar Payne for

February 25, 2025 1 Comment

Art

how to clean up artists’ oil paint

I wanted to work with oils for a long time, probably years. I set out looking for different kinds of paints to try, to experiment with. As intrigued as I was with oils, I was also terrified of them. What about the fumes, the clean-up, and the slow drying time? I had used oil products when we built and refinished butcher block counters and on a few other projects, but I always bought brushes specifically for the purpose and I disposed of them after use because I was scared of the clean-up. I finally decided my desire to try oil paints as a fine art medium outweighed my fear of the clean-up. I was going to learn how to use and how to clean up artist’s oil paint. I painted a landscape, so I got past that initial hurdle. I was still scared of the clean-up so I let the

February 24, 2025 9 Comments

Art

Join us for the #indexcardartproject 2025

As I shared last week, I decided to do another Index Card Art Project and you’re invited to paint along! I did one in 2019 with two of my art buddies from Instagram – Michelle Wooderson and Paige from Open Field Mercantile. We started our oil painting journeys together and have stayed in touch and checked in through the years. I cannot tell you how amazing it was to have two other artists who were brand new to oil paints to talk to. We could ask each other questions, share what we learned, exchange feedback on our work, and encourage one another. Having books and video tutorials is awesome, but it doesn’t replace the ways you can grow in a digital “sewing circle.” Michelle and Paige are going to paint along with the 2025 index card art project and, if you want to be a part of it, you can

February 17, 2025 9 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

getting past the gatekeepers

When I first started oil painting in late 2017, I really didn’t have any plans for it. For a long time, I had envisioned myself painting at an easel, holding a palette, working in oils, and producing paintings I might want to hang on my walls. I didn’t even know if I would like it enough to continue beyond painting the 100 landscapes I committed to. I wanted to give it a good, honest try and see where it led. I guessed it would probably lead to a nice side hobby. I was surprised when people wanted to buy some of my earliest efforts and shocked when a few of my early still-life paintings were licensed for reproduction. It helped tremendously that I already had an established customer base and a licensing agent for design work. That gave me a big leg up. But what I’ve come to appreciate even

February 11, 2025 20 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

the ongoing battle in my studio

I love my studio. It’s a little creative sanctuary for me. But, in this sanctuary, there is an ongoing battle that followed me from my last studio. It’s the push and pull between wanting a tantalizing buffet of books and art supplies in view and wanting room to work and white space to foster new projects. This side that is almost always winning is the former and lately, I’ve been feeling it. Maybe it’s because I wedge a cat tree in a free square foot of floor space next to my desk (the kitties do love it) or that I have piles of papers and books on most available flat surfaces, but it feels like a tidying-up is called for. Maybe even some rearranging, rethinking, and, yes, purging. It seems the more I embrace being an artist, the more I become an artist, playing right into the stereotype of being

February 5, 2025 32 Comments

Art

January 24, 2025, original art sale preview

The last time I had an original art sale was last April! Ack. What happened?! Well, I know that I was writing, working on a book proposal, gardening, working on house projects… I did some commissioned pieces and a lot of sketching and studying, but I didn’t have many finished works last year. My goal is to have ten this year, but we’ll see how that goes. In this original art sale, I have pieces ranging from 5 x 7 ($75) up to 11 x 14 ($400.) Most of the paintings were completed within the past few weeks, but there are a few abstracts from my last sale, a painting of Esmé I did in 2022 (I’m going to paint another one), and a few I painted earlier in 2024 (including some winter/Christmas themed paintings for commercial clients.) It’s a nice assortment of my favorite subjects – still life, animals,

January 20, 2025 3 Comments

Artistic Endeavors

my next big project(s)

After working as a creative entrepreneur since 2008, I have learned that projects come in seasons. Sometimes those seasons last for years and sometimes they are brief, fleeting. Some seasons I repeat, in new ways, over and over again because I enjoy them so thoroughly and feel called back to them. Some seasons are experienced and then come to an end. I’ve written and published two books, both in their seasons. Both were a part of my growth, my story, and my body of work. While both were about home, they were not a part of a series or a pair. They were standalone books, chronicling my two previous homes, my work on them, and how they built into me. After the first book, Inspired You, I thought that might be it. I wasn’t only an author/writer. I did many other things and wasn’t sure how writing another book would

January 15, 2025 37 Comments

Art

slow and steady artistic growth

For many years, I have championed the idea that practice makes better. I recently saw something to add to that from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. “Two simple rules: 1.) You get better at what you practice. 2.) Everything is practice.” Sometimes, with my art, I wonder if I’ve improved and, if so, how much. There are days when I feel like I’ve grown in leaps and bounds and other days when I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten how to paint entirely. But knowing that it’s all practice is such an encouragement, Even the paintings that go directly to the trash are practice. The sketches, studying, reading, and observing all add up. My animal painting improves my still lifes. My still-life painting improves my color mixing. My color mixing improves my landscapes. And everything I do from photography to writing to decorating to gardening is all a part of practice.

January 8, 2025 19 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.