In the Studio Lately...

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During Christmas break, I limited my art supplies to a journal, Prismacolor Ebony pencils, and charcoal pencils. My goal was simple: to play with value. Every year I set a new goal as an artist, because every single painting teaches you something new. The learning never stops.

Open sketchbook with charcoal tree sketches and handwritten Scripture, photographed alongside an open Bible and devotional book during a winter studio journaling practice.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio getting fresh paintings ready for February. I’ve been experimenting more too, especially with loose, unstretched canvas. For some reason, it feels more freeing, and I’m excited to see how those pieces feel once they’re stretched and framed.

My home studio is tiny and full of books, ideas, colors, and controlled chaos…probably not unlike my ADD brain. Sometimes that part of me drives me nuts, but I also think there’s a lot of possibility there. I really do think it’s a gift.

Ellie is always nearby, usually sleeping under my painting table. And whenever I stop to ponder a painting, she crawls into my lap and falls asleep.

Dog resting on the artist’s lap in a studio, with a work-in-progress landscape painting on an easel surrounded by sketches and paintings.

Outside the studio, life has been full too. My youngest just graduated from high school, and I still don’t quite know how that’s possible. How is my baby boy all grown up?

I’m really looking forward to spending some time in Florida with him…sun, sand, and time by the water. There’s no place I’d rather be. I don’t know if I think better there, or if life just slows down enough for me to breathe and spend time in God’s word.

Open sketchbook with a pencil tree drawing on a table by the water, photographed in warm morning light alongside books and a coffee cup.

As I’ve been painting, I’ve been blocking out most of the news. I’m trying to paint, draw, or read instead of defaulting to my phone during this long, cold winter. I truly think these practices are healing to our souls..and when I can add gardening back into the mix, I will be oh so very happy.

As I read this back, I realize I sound a bit like Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross 😂 which honestly makes sense.

So here’s the challenge:
Go find something you love doing, something that excites your brain, and spend four hours this week pursuing it. Take the time you might normally lose to your phone or computer and put it toward something that feels healing to your soul. ❤️