November - A Collection of Curiosities
A period to pause in certain areas of your life and a full speed run towards others. November feels like a second chance to accomplish your deeepest pursuits. To prioritize and upheaval the yearly list and put energy and effort where it matters most at the year’s end. The colder time makes more space for creative endeavors and warm cozy moments with those dearest to your heart. There is a kind of magic in the crisp air! It is always the start to a chaotic season for some. As the holidays approach we can get sidetracked by our lists. To keep myself working in the studio, I love to carve away moments to create even if it is for shorter moments.
My autumn vision board is still overflowing with rich, slower moments. I opted to switch from a monthly vision board to a seasonal board but still like to add ideas that inspire me throughout the month. I have found myself drawn to rich, moody moments and palettes for the autumn season. Scenes of messy gatherings filled with laughter, paths, contrasted landscapes, moody floralscapes keep popping up. In the autumn and winter months I feel like we need to create more warmth in the longer, darker days. I am love adding more candles and fairy lights into my own space. I have found these warm and cool contrasts of light seeping into my artwork as well. What does your vision board hold?
Artist Tip of Month - Oils on Paper
My holiday collection will be released next week! I have created a small batch of oil paintings on handmade watercoor paper. In posting sneak peeks of this series, I recived questions about creating with oils on paper. At one point, many artists only created with oils on canvas or wood panel and although these are great options you still can paint on paper with some prep work! Below are some tips to follow.
Select a high quality paper with a weight of 140lb. or higher.
Prep your paper with acrylic gesso or matte medium. I like to add 2-3 coats in different directions. One vertical, let it dry, then the next coat horizontally.
Once complete, apply a varnish to protect your work.
Holiday Collection
Launch is next week! I have curated a small batch of oil landscapes on paper and we will offer a few extra limited gift options as well. Each piece is in a moody palette, painted on deckled edge handmade paper, and will be float mounted on archival matte board in standard sizes. I wanted you to have the option to select a frame that matches your style and budget. My hope is that these scense transport you to memories or places.
Framing Ideas
I love to look for affordable frames! Framing can be so expensive and I love that there are so many more options these days. I try my best to create artwork (particularly my artwork on paper) that fits a standard size frame. I have created a new list of my favorite frames below with links for this new collection.
GALLERY FRAMES WEST ELM OR ARTIFACT UPRISING
SHELF EASELS - MCGEE & CO, POTTERY BARN, MAGNOLIA MARKET
Gift Giving Guide for Creatives
Look in your inbox over the next few days for our gift guides for the Travel Artist, the Artist’s Studio and the Entertainer. I have curated some of my favorites!
Thank you for being in this space and for sharing your stories and art with me along the way! If there is anything you want to see more of in our newsletters I would love to connect and hear!
Kristy