This site is about my life in the art studio. It includes drawings, paintings, knitting and cross stitch and fun art techniques. I will also include recipes and yoga and book reviews. This is a lifestyle blog with intentional and simple living ideas.
It’s been one of those times in life where you just want to make a change. I have felt stuck, feeling tired, lost, wondering if I have been living in imposter syndrome all my life. Then one day I got on Instagram and came across a workshop that was free to learn how to start an art therapy practice.
I sprang from my chair, and gasped for air and said that’s what I’ve always wanted.
It was extremely insightful and positive. Made me feel like I can do it! I can do it! And I did it!
I opened an art therapy business. It’s online for now until I can make money to pay rent. It has been open for only 4 days so I am praying to get a few clients soon.
I have been working on Rue Paris cross stitch for over a year. I don’t expect it to be done this year.
In between my job, making art, posting on Etsy, and just starting a business for art therapy, I have slowed down on my stitching time. But I should be back to a normal schedule for stitching soon.
I am hoping my art therapy practice will be a success. If you are interested check out my website-
I have cardstock of various colors. Each was cut in various sizes and taped onto a board. Then I painted using colors that compliment the paper. After it dried I took acrylic markers and drew in details.
Later, they will be glued into the art journal.
Finished Paintings
I plan to paint more in my art journal for 2023.
Etsy Shop
My Etsy shop is open and has some amazing pen and ink drawings and acrylic paintings that are sold in prints. Check it out https://4PawsArtStudio.etsy.com
It’s been awhile since I sat at my art table. It’s been a difficult few weeks. I learned of a new diagnosis as to the reason my legs swell. There’s no cure. But eating less carbs and mostly eat fruit and veggies will help maintain my health.
This morning I organized my snacks and put some in containers to have for this week. I’m also going to make my lunch for tomorrow before the end of the day.
I took another job something to make extra money on the side. I’m hoping it will be full time at some point. I get to work from home with this job. Yeah.
I want to return to painting and reorganize my Etsy shop which I closed. I won’t reopen it until I paint consistently.
New Paintings
Here’s what I have been painting lately. It starts as a scribble on canvas then I make it into an image. Flowers tend to be my topic.
This challenge is to doodle 30 mandalas. Why, you ask? Just for fun, and to get myself focused on art and creativity again.
I am working out of a hardback sketch book, 8″ x 11″ using a black pen and crayons, color pencils or gel pens. This is something I can do before I go to sleep. Resting my legs under my weighted blanket after a long day. With my work schedule, taking care of my pets and resting my body, I won’t be able to finish these in 30 days. The outcome will be having 30 doodle mandalas.
I started drawing this evening. Here is my rheumatoid arthritis hand. Swollen, puffy and joints are in pain from all the drawing.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
I really need to complete this painting…maybe that’s my goal to meet by spring.
Self-portrait Acrylic Painting
This is a painting about me and my dog taking a walk in the metro parks. We used to walk there every weekend during the summer and into the autumn season. She is now 13 years old. Our walks are shorter but she still loves them.
I have been on a mission to organize, declutter and rearrange every room in my home.
For some reason, there are not many photos of my studio before I started to reorganize. And when I get in the mood, I forget to take pictures.
Changes to my Art studio
The table is now a tilting table. I contemplated about purchasing it, but thought it would be helpful to tilt a table when I am drawing or painting. It is still in front of the window.
The small 8″x8″ paintings are no longer being sold on etsy. I found etsy impossible to keep up with. I felt it was more discouraging for me to work on it. It was too much stress of working a full time job and trying to establish a small business on etsy. I also felt the paintings I created were not being viewed even though I endlessly worked on the SEO to market my show. At the end of this decision, I realized I just don’t like to create art for a fast paced world and rather take time to cross stitch and knit and every so often paint and draw.
Another part of the studio that changed is where I keep my supplies. I decided that the shelves were cluttering my creative space. The closet was not being used effectively. I moved the shelves in the closet and now it is arranged in a neat, organized area.
The craft cart below has been helpful to organize all of my paint. It is nice it can be wheeled to the easel and the table. And kept out of the way when I am doing yoga. Below there is a link to a cart that is similar to this one on Amazon.
Now the chair, that will not be tossed out. Yes my cat has attacked it, scratched it and has claimed it for himself. I placed a chair cover over it in this bright orange fabric. I also placed other blankets on it to raise the seat for me to be at the table.
But who tends to be using the table? My cat. That’s ok, as long as my plants are not bothered. (I think he knows better) maybe.
Nothing else has changed. I still use this room for yoga. I want to work on art. But I am feeling trapped in my thinking and the creative side of me is just tired.
As an artist who went to art school, but never liked the business side to it. I am at a place in my life (midlife crisis perhaps) that I want to sew and learn how to make purses and aprons and quilts. I like the feel of the threads and needles in my hands.
Will I return to Etsy? No idea. Will I sell art? No idea. Do I still want to write a book about how to make art for an art therapy journal? Yes. Am I working on it? Not lately. Do I still dream of selling my art full time? Yes. But do I want to focus on it? No. Would I rather spend more time on art therapy and working as a counselor? yes, it pays well. Also I like blogging. Do I have ambition to finish my list of projects that I wrote at the beginning of the year? yes. I want to work on my knitting blanket so badly!!!
What is 4paws up to anyway?
I have been focusing on decluttering, reorganizing and making life more simple. Also been working on learning more about eating gluten free and dairy free. I have been documenting my trials and errors of trying new recipes, making gluten free bread and cooking on a budget.
When I am not seeing clients, I am usually doing yoga or knitting. On the weekends, cross stitch comes out, because I can spend more time stitching without being interrupted.
There are books I want to read, but I am just not a reader. I prefer movies and stories than to read. Because movies allow me to stitch and listen together.
What has this past year taught me?
To never get myself involved in any organization or group that will be time consuming.
To think things over and it’s ok to say to someone I need more time to decide.
To live more in the moment
To declutter to know what I have!
Don’t stress about money. I will be ok.
Live your dream life where you are at, don’t wait to live it in the future.
It’s more than ok to say NO.
Wear more dresses and skirts-after all you are more comfortable in them.
Put more music on-still working on it.
It’s ok, to stitch instead of painting. It’s what I prefer
Think for a few weeks before I make that purchase. I will survive.
Go ahead and buy that sewing machine when you are ready to make a quilt.
And it’s ok to change your mind and stitch the quilt by hand like your great aunt and grandmother did.
Happy Day
Caroline
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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