The Business of the Studio: a Class, Calendars and a New Painting
In September I mentioned some of the projects I’d been working on after moving into my new studio. One was prepping for my show at Viva Gallery, which I wrote about last month. I’ve since finished the others and thought I’d share them with you today.
A new Skillshare class — Color Confidence: Learn to Mix Watercolor and Discover Your Creative Voice
When I was still only dreaming of making art, I was inspired to pick up my paintbrush by the stories of other self-taught artists. It gave me hope to know they were able to overcome their fear and learn to paint. I’m so grateful they shared their experiences and by doing so encouraged me to begin my journey of creative exploration.
A big part of my business is paying it forward and encouraging other creative dreamers. Teaching is one of the ways I do that.
When I sit down to mix colors, everything falls away. Time slows down. I slow down. And I always feel a rush of joy. It makes me sad to know many beginning artists struggle with mixing watercolor because I love color and mixing paint is one of my favorite parts of my art process.
When I put together this new class, I wanted to share those feelings while also teaching what I know about painting. It’s an invitation to play, experiment and have fun with color while discovering your unique color language. And yes, it’s also about learning how to mix watercolor!
Although it was a tiny part of the class, building a botanical color wheel with flowers and leaves from the garden was such fun. And I’m delighted that Karen also made one and then sketched it, too!
2024 Tea Towel Calendars
Inspired by Spoonflower’s design contest, I created my first tea towel calendar in 2016. Since then it’s become an annual tradition. My new calendar celebrates some of my favorite things about the summer garden (as do many of my designs).
It’s available from Spoonflower as a tea towel, wall hanging with a wooden hanger or as fat quarters of fabric for you to finish in any way you’d like.
I’ve also updated all of my past years’ designs with 2024 dates.
It’s fun to see them all together (and reminds me I need to get busy hemming mine!).
2024 Desk Calendars
Another annual tradition is creating a desk calendar with my art (I started in 2013! Here’s another post looking back).
Designing each year’s calendar is always a fun project. I love looking through my art to choose the seasonal paintings for each month.
I keep a calendar in my studio and enjoy remembering the inspiration behind each piece as I turn the pages throughout the year.
These calendars are my most popular product, and I’m grateful to have a loyal following of customers who come back year after year.
When I first started making them, I printed them myself. In 2018 I could no longer deny that this didn’t make sense financially and had them printed by a local print shop. Last year I tried a new printer and was thrilled with the results. The print quality is beautiful and the 100% recycled paper has a lovely feel. Even better, the company is employee-owned, socially responsible and carbon-neutral.
It’s a good reminder: if something isn’t working, try doing it another way.
Painting from the Garden One Last Time
As busy as I’ve been this summer, I didn’t paint from my garden as much as I would’ve liked. When I returned from vacation in mid-October and saw my garden was still blooming, I cut a handful of dahlias to create one last painting inspired by live flowers.
I felt out of practice and at times it was a struggle, but I’m glad I stuck with it. “Just keep going,” I told myself again and again.
I shared a bit of the process and some of what’s been going on lately in a new YouTube video, too.
This has been a strange year for me and my business (I know I’m not the only one). The last few years have been strange and challenging and frustrating and sometimes disappointing. But there has also been beauty and joy and much to celebrate, too.
There is always beauty and joy.
We never know what life will throw at us. So much is out of our control. But we can choose to focus on gratitude. To look for beauty. To celebrate joy.
I sat down this week with my big binder of Business Goals and Planning so I can get clear, again, on how I want to finish off the year and what I want to focus on as the new year dawns.
One thing I know for certain: I want to continue to share beauty and encouragement. I want to continue instigating creativity and joy.
What have you been working on lately? What plans do you have for the rest of the year and going into 2024?
Thank you for joining me here, my friend. Let’s keep looking for beauty and joy.