What I thought would be a plein air painting trip turned into something quite different. Away from home, with fewer distractions and quieter demands, I found myself finally getting to the work I’d been wanting to do for a long time.
There’s a particular kind of pressure that shows up at the start of a new year — especially for artists. Whether the year behind you felt full or frustrating, the urge to rush forward can be surprisingly loud. This studio musing is a gentle invitation to pause, release self-judgement, and begin the year with curiosity rather than pressure.
Entering art competitions can be exciting, daunting, and deeply personal. In this guest post, Michael Freeman shares thoughtful, experience-based insights into navigating the competitions landscape — from deciding whether competitions are right for you, to improving your chances of acceptance, and handling disappointment when things don’t go your way. Grounded, honest, and practical, his reflections help artists approach competitions with clarity, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.
Join me as I share the progression of a pastel nocturne — from thumbnail and charcoal block-in to layered colour and deepening night with glowing light — along with the thinking behind each stage.
When an artist turns her gaze towards fire, something magical happens. In this guest post, Beth Tockey Williams shares how she captures the flicker, glow, and elusive dance of flames in pastel — from the first spark to the final trail of smoke.
Imagine painting surrounded by olive trees, the scent of sea air, and the sounds of laughter over dinner. That’s exactly what our Corfu art retreat offered — an unforgettable mix of plein air painting, friendship, and artistic courage. Join me as I share the magic, the moments, and the paintings from our week together in Greece.
Ever told yourself there’s just no time to paint? It’s easy to think that but a few snatched sessions in a tiny Greek village reminded me of what’s possible. In this post, I share three quick plein air paintings each created in well under an hour, how thumbnails made it happen, and why even short bursts at the easel can bring so much joy.
While in Athens after teaching in Corfu, I watched the Evzones perform the changing of the guard — a ritual of grace, symbolism, and history. It made me reflect on how beauty can carry deeper stories, both in ceremony and in art. Sometimes, it’s what lies beneath the surface — the quiet meaning, whether intended or found — that gives a piece its lasting resonance.
When artist Terrilynn Dubreuil lost her mother, she turned to her pastels to make sense of the grief. In this moving story, she shares how painting became both tribute and transformation — revealing the profound power of art to heal and express what words cannot.
At my last workshop, someone leaned in, all secretive, and whispered: “I don’t want to share my paintings until they’re… you know… perfect.” And I had to laugh — in a nice way but also with a raised eyebrow — because if we waited for perfect, the world would never see our art. Here’s the
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