I’ve spent a lot of time at the easel this week, painting every day. I am pushing through to get as many pet commissions done for Christmas presents before it’s too late for oils to dry in time. I used to sit in front of old pieces of furniture, and now I sit in front of small wood panels clamped in an easel. Both tasks are about transformation. Both involve paint, brushes, and creative decisions. I have grown and changed as an artist, and my business has evolved, but at the heart of it, it’s just me and paint, pictures, and words, sharing what I’m up to each day.
I’ve just been thinking a lot this week about creative seasons, how things change, and how they stay the same.
Here are my four things for the week: Mansfield Park, Next Gen Chef, no need to sparkle, and new papers…
what I’m reading
I finished Pride & Prejudice and now it’s on to Mansfield Park. I think that is my favorite Austen story after Sense & Sensibility. I love both Edmund and Fanny so much, and their meandering way to one another. I’m about 1/3 of the way through the book so far…
what I’m watching
Jeff and I have enjoyed watching Knife’s Edge, a show about restaurants chasing Michelin stars on AppleTV+, and I was able to convince him to watch another chef’s show – Next Gen Chef on Netflix. After watching the first episode, I wasn’t sure if he would stick with it, but he has enjoyed it, and we’re on the fourth episode now. We enjoy “watching the food” and it’s fun to cheer on young chefs trying to find their culinary voice.
Even though it’s a competition show, they’ve managed to create a somewhat encouraging environment for the competitors. You don’t feel like the judges and show format are trying to squash young dreamers! They offer constructive criticism and coaching to help them improve. If you enjoy cooking/competition shows, this is a good one.
what I’m loving
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” – Virginia Woolf
I read this quote in James Clear’s newsletter this morning, and it spoke to me in a way I wasn’t expecting.
When I first started sharing in the online space in 2009, it felt like I just needed to show up. There was no need to be anybody by myself. It doesn’t feel like that any longer. It feels like hurry, hustle. It feels like there is a need, a demand for sparkle. The platforms say “we are just giving the people what they want”, but the string-pullers are also pulling all the strings to make sure the people are getting what they want. As someone creating and sharing content that is seen by fewer and fewer people, that is being crowded and drowned out by AI, clickbait, algorithms, and paid ads, it’s hard not to feel like I’m not sparkly enough for this current online landscape. Just showing up might not be enough anymore.
But…
There is still a lot of good in the online world – so many kindred spirits, creative minds, good intentions, and beautiful souls. I don’t want to miss meeting those people. I don’t have to buy into the push to hurry and sparkle. I can continue to show up as myself for those who connect with what I make and write about.
A flower is just as beautiful unseen on the forest floor as it is in a public garden with heavy foot traffic.
what I’m working on
Painting & writing, naturally. Every day and always.
But I’ve also been working on some surface designs for papers and products. I’ve been uploading the designs and ordering papers, so hopefully I can show them off next week. Here are the ones that have come in so far…
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?
51 Responses
Just want you to know that you are so much more than sparkle! You are an absolutely a beacon of light to your readers. I am not a person easily impressed, but your continuing postings, sharing your life and work
does it. You are a wonderful example for your readers, and the encouragement you offer is valuable to us all. Ignore A.I. it can’t hold a candle to your human personality!
Thank you!
I could not have said it better and totally agree.
I couldn’t agree with Anita S. more. You deserve the title of “renaissance woman.” You are so talented in so many different things and you inspire me so much. You already have sparkle in all you accomplish and you are so generous of your time for all of your followers. You have enriched my life by convincing me that I can accomplish many things as well. Because of you I have started painting with oil again. Something I had not done in 45 years. All because you took the time to explain how you were able to overcome your fear of the chemicals. You also taught me to make Bavarian Pretzels with amazing success; along with salt dough ornaments from molds, finger crochet (made two huge garlands for my Christmas tree two years ago), and so many other things that I would never have tried, if not for your tutorials. Your Instagram story is the first one on my list almost every day and that is enough sparkle for me!
This comment made me cry (in a good way.) What I want most is for people to leave reading my blog, and feel encouraged and inspired to make something and embrace their creativity. The fact that you’ve started oil painting again, barked pretzels, and made many other things is a joy to hear! Thank you for taking the time to share that. THAT is why I write this blog.
P.S…..Lovely new paper designs!
Not all treasures are sparkly. You are certainly a treasure.
Thank you!
I truly don’t want to live in an environment of constant sparkle… Occasional sparkle is real; constant sparkle feels fake and a bit painful to be around. The sustained glow of you sharing your authentic self and inspiring us with creative ideas – there’s the beauty. For me, this only becomes more valuable as the constant sparkly noise grows : )
I appreciate your kind comment. Thank you!
Your space is grounded and real. When I read your posts, I feel like I am talking to a friend. Many bloggers have come and gone, but your faithful and consistent writing is what keeps me here. Please, don’t change to follow the ‘instant gratification’ crowd. Like many things in England that you recently admired, you are getting even better with age. 🙂
What a wonderful compliment. Thank you!
You, as you are, are a fun read. You touch on several different topics that interest me. So yes, I’m staying.
Your sparkle is enough.
Thank you!
If you happen to love listening to audiobooks while you paint, I highly highly recommend “the unselected journals of Emma M Lyon”. They are short volumes that are read beautifully and are so sweet and well written! I’m on volume 5 and I will be sad when I’m finished with them all!
I will check them out! Thank you for the recommendation. And yes, I often do my reading and painting at the same time!
Thank you for the encouragement you share. I love the quote about the forest floor flower and the one in a kept garden. They both have purpose. 💚
I love all of Jane Austen’s novels but Fanny in Mansfield Park is such a lovely, selfless, sincere character.
yes, she is so wonderful!
Marian, I have enjoyed your blog for several years now. I have been a DIYer for years, so I think I first started reading your blog because of your upholstery and/or painting tutorials. But I have also really loved following your yard/gardening journey the last couple of years as well. Also, when I have time, I have gone back to read many of your older posts, which are so helpful. Your content has been and continues to be so fresh and helpful — and entertaining as well. The depth of your talent, creativity, and writing is so real and refreshing. Recently, I have been getting so tired of even my most favorite Instagram accounts. Things on Insta move too fast and often don’t give much substance, just quick eye candy. Since I am an avid DIYer, I like to stop and study. So I really appreciate blogs like yours that provide so much depth, ideas, and information! Thank you for continuing to show up, being you and bringing us your sparkle!
Thank you for taking the time to leave an encouraging comment. It made me teary-eyed.
Authentic and genuine trumps sparkle any day. Thank you for being true and authentic! Your online space is refreshingly genuine. People are tired of sparkly. Real is the new glitter; you give us that here. I am grateful.
Thank you. A good reminder.
I appreciate your steadiness and consistency…not chasing trends or “sparkle.” I followed you because I like your style and your content and I will keep coming back for more. Thank you.
Thank you!
Marian, I too have been following you every weekday for many, many years, since the early days and continue to love how you inspire us. You are real and genuine and I have loved to watch your life change over the years and you embraced each step of the way. I loved the early furniture painting days, fairs, and your family singing and playing instruments at Christmas. Our lives have changed too, of course, as they are supposed to. I also love many of the comments and I have just finished reading Theo of Golden that one of your followers recommended. I too loved it! You are often encouraging in your tidying up and organizing and today I made a big effort to accomplish quite a bit of accumulation. Amazing what we can unearth, and treasures we find in our own homes. Good to do on rainy weather days outside. I’m continuing to paint watercolor Christmas cards for my grandchildren and have also started to paint with friends again, which is so fun. Grateful for all of the ideas on Christmas decorating. Even the ideas of what to do this year takes time to put together in thought. Thank you. You sparkle beautifully and you are the only one that I follow. (Not a fan of A.I.) You are the best. Gratefully,
Thank you! You and others who have left comments are definitely the good souls and kindred spirits I was referring to!
I have followed only your blog for many years. You are honest, realistic and present ideas and how-to in easily understood ways. I often go back to find a product you recommended and have never been in one that I have purchased. I love following the family members and admire the discretion you use to protect them. Your sincerity is all the sparkle I need.
Thank you for the encouragement!
I’m so grateful for your down-to-earth, honest posts. Marian. (I’ve never been a fan of sparkle, even when I was a child.) I probably wouldn’t be reading your blog if you were sparkly. (Though you do have your own kind of light.)
Marian,
You are a wonder and have your own bright light. I have been with you since day one and plan on the rest of your journey. I often turn away from the ‘sparkle’ that ‘everyone’ is looking for. You are full-bodied, so diverse, and real. I enjoy the quotes, your new papers, cooking show recommendations, gardens, and the incredible job you have done to make your new house a home. AI scares me a bit and I’m concerned about where it’s going.
Thank you for many gifts …especially your heart.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family~
Cynthia
I too am concerned about the need to sparkle as I begin my creative entrepreneur journey! You have earned all of your followers and I don’t think we will leave easily. :). I am dismayed that autumn got short shrift on your website though – it is not Winter yet! 🙂
Well, believe me that it’s not winter or Christmas in my house, yet. Unfortunately, if I share Christmas in real time (which I will as well), everything is sold out and people have already done their decorating. When I sold more on the retail side, Christmas posts started in September!
Marian, I have followed you for many years. I started following several blogs at that time also, but lost interest in all of them except yours. It is the one that is most genuine and realistic. I look forward to it everyday. It’s like hearing from an old friend everyday. I’ve loved following your journey in your art, your homes and your family. We, your fans, love you just the way you are!
I am so blessed by your messages and dear posts. You continue to be you… that’s why we look forward to seeing your blog in our inbox! Please don’t feel pressured to continue to churn out new content or multiple posts a week. We will continue to look forward to whatever you desire to share.
I have been a follower of yours from the very beginning. Actually when you had a blog I sent you a comment , the first one I ever did and didn’t even understand how a blog worked😊
You were feeling down and I felt bad for you so,I sent you a comment that you were such a talented lady and all these years later you still are. I bought your paints, brushes , books and still read your book. You are just what your blog friends love. Thanks for sharing all,of your talents and journey.
Shine your own light…I LOVE how you have not fallen victim to excessive sparkle! I love your style and appreciate your authenticity.
Many wonderful comments here…..and you truly deserve them all !!!
There is sparkle, which fizzles out quickly and then there is glow – which endures and makes you feel warm and cozy. You have glow, which is deeper and endures. I have followed you since your first home, which I constantly come back to for inspiration. There is no other blog (and I’ve followed many, although less than a handful now) with better inspirational photography. Your photos of vignettes are amazing – truly works of art in composition and execution. You are real and endearing and relatable. I appreciate that you have kept true to yourself with your blog.
Marian,
I’ve followed and read your posts since 2010. I’ve watched as your creative talents have grown and you have always been one of my favorite bloggers. I realize so many of my “favorite” blog sites and now exclusively found on IG. That format has it’s place but for me there is nothing like the in-depth writing and sharing of talented people like you. I hope you will not stop sharing.
xx,
Karen B.
Your blog is one of the first things I look forward to reading in the morning.
Doing all you do is definitely enough!
Give me authenticity over sparkle any day. You keep doing you, Marian. “All that glitters is not gold”, as the saying goes.
I love both your style and your blog. Please don’t change who you are to please the masses.
One thing you are is real, Marian. I always feel you are authentic in what you share – been reading you for years and a big fan of your milk paints back when you first starting selling them. And I must say those “teasing us” papers are GORGEOUS.
Oh my dear you are authentic, that’s your power! So much of everything today is here for only a moment and then gone in a flash. We (your readers) are looking for and found the real in your online presence. You are the best.
Marian, I only recently discovered your blog and I find it refreshing, interesting and inviting. As others expressed, yours is like spending time with a creative friend.
Marian, your blog is the only one that I choose to follow. You have taught me so much about home, family and life! I proudly have your books amongst my very favorites. I love to find treasures at antique and consignment shops, and now I know how to display them or improve them. Your blog brings me a lot of joy; and I thank you!
I love reading your blog because you are authentic and no sparkle is needed. I’m turned off by most of social media these days, but I always come back to you because you are very real and I love that.
Dear Marion,
I just love seeing a new post of yours pop up in my email. As others have said, you are like a wonderful friend saying “Hi. How are you today.” And when I open your email, you share your heart, your family, bits & pieces of your creative life, hundreds of DIY’s explained and you are never reluctant to share your sources. You truly are a genuine friend to all of us who love & admire you, Marion. And you love us back. You care about us. You show up weekly, even daily, to share your travels, your newest book, a movie, and a hundred other things you have discovered which will benefit our lives.
You are a real treasure. I, too, have widdled down influencers because they have fallen into the trap of being pressured to perform with what sells at the moment. I am so weary of all that. Everything is for click bates these days.
Thank you, Marion, for writing your blog posts for us. It’s like reading a letter coming from you in the mail to each of us. Personal and special. So lovely. Please never stop being you. We love you just the way you are. And that’s why I have stayed with you all these years (from my point of view) because you ARE real, you care and you are such a sweet “online” friend. May God continue to bless you and your family with health and happiness.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. 🙂
I have followed you for a long time. I also have one of your books (got it as a gift)! I too am opposed to sparkle. I actually run when I see glitter. I think it’s OCD, just can’t stand the stuff! That’s what I like about your blog and emails. I can always count on you! I painted my kitchen cabinets and your new kitchen was my inspiration! My husband said, “where did you see these gold cabinet pulls” I showed him your kitchen and he “got it” after that! Keep up the great work and run when you see glitter ! I mean sparkle. 😂
Thank you!