Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by artist blocks? It may seem like it’s for lack of ideas, but ideas are literally all around us. Look left: Idea. Look right: Idea! I have a theory that artist’s blocks are more about a fear of not coming up with the BEST ideas than lacking ideas altogether. If we think we don’t have the best idea, we may convince ourselves that it’s easier to say we have NO ideas than it is to just start making. Here’s a thought: There is no best idea, there’s just doing. An Exercise for Overcoming Artist Blocks Today I have a simple exercise for us to try, which helps ..read more

Some people might think that a sprawling studio or a dedicated art room full of fancy supplies is essential to finally embrace their creativity… …this simply isn’t true. I’ve known so many makers, artists, and tinkerers who have turned corners of small homes, patios, or garages into mini creative sanctuaries. The truth is, creativity isn’t determined by physical boundaries—it can flourish anywhere. What really matters isn’t the size of your space but how you use what you already have. Take my simple home studio… The light is nice, it’s in the dining room, so central to the kitchen where I ma ..read more

Starting my day with a playful layered art journal exploration can set a positive and creative tone for everything that follows. I’m a big fan of keeping a sketchbook for these daily musings, and I invite you to follow along if you could use a quick dose of art inspiration. Your art journal can be a place to capture thoughts, sketches, feelings, and creative tests. Today, I’ll guide you through a simple, 20-minute exercise using pencil and acrylic paint to create layered art in your journal. This process is all about flow, intuition, and the joy of making. For this Art Play exercise, I wasn’t ..read more

Are you looking for a simple art journal idea (that doesn’t require paint) to kickstart your creative journey? Whether you’re just beginning to explore art journaling or trying to break free from a creative rut, this playful technique with washable markers and water is fun for artists at any level. In this process we’ll let colors flow to create a dynamic base for further artistic exploration. Here’s how you can create your own vibrant art journal page with minimal planning and maximum fun. Materials: Washable markers (suggestion: choose warm or cool colors) A paintbrush or water brush A cup ..read more

Finding art inspiration from daily life can help us turn ordinary moments into a endless possibilities for creativity, possibilities, and wonder. Yesterday, as I was running errands that took me all over town for dog food, soap, a new planter for an avocado tree I’m trying to rescue, dorm snacks (ramen anyone?), and dessert from a ​favorite local bakery​ for our weekly house team meeting, I kept my eyes peeled for moments or images to weave into my artwork. Finding Art in the Ordinary The journey led me past the enormous spinning brushes of a DIY car wash. As I saw the brushes spin, I could s ..read more

The importance of setting up simple art projects is something I’d like to chat with you about today. Have you ever gone to an enormous amount of trouble crafting a wildly complicated art lesson for you child or students, only to have it overwhelm you with all the prep, fall flat out of lack of interest, or completely drain you by the time it ended? I was invited to a potluck and signed up to bring an appetizer. I love small food. ? Now, what to bring? Flipping through my cookbooks I found wild retro ideas like skewered pineapple aspic and fancy things like smoked eggplant dishes. They pulled ..read more

We recently got back from a camping trip in Big Sur. In February! Weather is wildly unpredictable this time of year and we lucked out by squeezing in this trip between storms. ? It was so beautiful – the fresh air, redwood forest, ocean views. I packed a small kit of art supplies so we could capture creative moments in the quiet gaps of time that camping allows. And of course there was all that nature to absorb! There had been a lot of rain before we arrived, and I noticed water pushing down the mountain in multiple directions, finding the easiest paths downhill. This got me thinking about ho ..read more

If you enjoy making art and want to form a consistent habit of it, I made a Daily Art Log that you can download today. I’m using this tool and find that it’s a fun and helpful way to track progress and boost to my daily art practice. If you’re in the same boat, I imagine it can help you stay focused and consistent with your artistic projects and goals, too. Art making fuels ideas, balances the soul, engages our senses, acts as a therapeutic outlet, and nurtures our creativity. However, staying consistent and keeping creating an art habit may be a challenge. For making art a regular habit, a c ..read more

Like many others, and perhaps you’re among them, when the new year starts I begin musing over my intentions for making improvements to my life and growing into a better version of myself. This year, what’s resonating with me is the idea of cultivating daily creative growth in the new year. Some say January 1 is no different from March 5 or July 17, meaning, if you’re going to make a change, do it now, whatever date that might be. Any day can be a January 1. I agree with this of course. There’s no reason to put off change to the new year when you could be doing it starting pretty much any day ..read more

Do you have a child who struggles with perfection at the art table? Or maybe a student who holds themselves back from trying because they don’t know where to start (and likely fears making a mistake)? And how about you? Are you waiting to master a particular technique before calling yourself an artist? If you want to be an artist, do this…? Make art! ? Good Art/Bad Art isn’t what’s important; it’s showing up to create that matters. Becoming an artist isn’t about mastering the brush strokes of Van Gogh or repeating techniques of other famous artists. It’s about the spirit of creation, the joy ..read more