A disappearing glass edge, reflections in cutlery, glowing leaves, and shadows on a church wall—small moments that reveal how artists learn to see.

An email arrives. Someone loves your work. Your heart leaps. But not all enquiries are created equal. In this Studio Musing, I unpack a scam message and explore how to tell the difference between flattery and genuine interest.

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.

The election of a new Pope in the Sistine Chapel under Michelangel’s ceiling invites reflection on artistic tradition—and how we, as artists, carry it forward in fresh and personal ways.