ART, TOOLS & PROCESS MY OCCASIONAL BLOG
What teaching a young artist taught me about creativity
When a young artist unexpectedly joined my workshop, I didn’t plan for it—but it opened something unexpected.
It reminded me how creativity begins long before technique, and how powerful simple encouragement can be.
What I learned from launching my first in-person workshop
I launched my first in-person mixed media workshop not really knowing what would happen.
Between excitement, doubt, and a very quiet first sign-up, I learned that sometimes one person is enough to completely change what success looks like.
The series that keeps pulling me forward
A new series of paintings slowly transformed my studio — and the way I work.
What began with palm trees and blank canvases became a growing collection of layered portraits, sketchbook explorations, and paintings that keep asking for more.
Exploring colour: How I experiment before choosing a palette
A daily art habit doesn’t require a studio or hours of free time.
For eight months, while working full time, I kept making small evening pages in an A5 journal — some messy, some surprising, all useful.
Here’s what this simple practice taught me about colour, marks, and creative consistency.
Starting a painting series (and why I don’t begin with a canvas)
A daily art habit doesn’t require a studio or hours of free time.
For eight months, while working full time, I kept making small evening pages in an A5 journal — some messy, some surprising, all useful.
Here’s what this simple practice taught me about colour, marks, and creative consistency.
The daily pages I painted while working full time
A daily art habit doesn’t require a studio or hours of free time.
For eight months, while working full time, I kept making small evening pages in an A5 journal — some messy, some surprising, all useful.
Here’s what this simple practice taught me about colour, marks, and creative consistency.
How I save brushes with dried acrylic paint (a simple rescue trick)
Before you throw away stiff acrylic brushes, try this.
With one simple product and a bit of patience, you can soften dried acrylic paint and make your brushes usable again.
This is an easy rescue trick I use in my studio , and it really works.
Behind the booth: What I learned from my first art fair
My first art fair was a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and unexpected joy. From evening painting sessions after my day job to seeing faces light up at my booth — here’s what I learned (and why I’d do it again).
I did it! Wrapping up my 100-day project
100 memories, 100 pages, 100 days. What started as a playful challenge turned into a powerful creative journey. In this post, I share how daily mixed media explorations helped me tap into childhood memories, build a personal visual language, and create a flow-filled studio practice — one page at a time.
Halfway through my 100 day project: Reflections and discoveries
A visual journey through the first 50 days of my 100-day art challenge, with each page reflecting a treasured childhood memory.
Creative mark making with vintage finds
Dive into the world of creative mark-making with vintage finds! From classic art supplies like brushes and brayers to unexpected treasures such as wooden spoons, rolling pins, and old garden tools, this article reveals how everyday items can be repurposed to add unique textures and effects to your artwork. Discover affordable and imaginative ways to enhance your art using these special vintage tools.
How I’m using the 100 day project to develop my artistic language
100 days, 100 memories, 100 small artworks—will I make it?
This year, I finally joined the 100 Day Project, using personal memories as a starting point. I’m keeping my process loose, my materials simple, and my expectations open.
My goal? To develop my artistic language and create a collection of images to use in future works.
Let’s see where this takes me!
All the nails I needed: Curating my first exhibition
Opportunities like this don’t come every day—my first art exhibition felt like a dream come true. From finding the perfect venue in a concept store to hanging each painting under its professional lighting, this experience gave me a taste of what’s possible in my art career. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the ups, downs, and lessons learned along the way.
Organising your art studio with vintage charm
Discover how to add vintage charm and practicality to your art studio with repurposed storage solutions.
From colourful tea tins to industrial boxes, explore unique ways to organise your supplies while adding a touch of history to your workspace. Find inspiration and practical tips for incorporating vintage finds into your studio.
Beyond the blank canvas: the art of using vintage surfaces
In this article, I explore how vintage surfaces can transform your artwork. From repurposing unique finds like sketchbooks and photo albums to experimenting with different canvases, I share how these treasures inspire creativity and open up new artistic possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, I encourage you to embrace vintage materials in your practice.
Why vintage tools belong in your art studio.
This article highlights the unique charm and creativity that vintage tools can bring to the artistic process. These special pieces add history and inspiration to my work. I offer practical tips for sourcing them and discuss the benefits they provide. Whether you're an artist or an art enthusiast, you’ll find insights to spark your imagination and elevate your creative practice!
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