Instructions for life

On being a rebel, a stream of consciousness prose poem + a painting from my studio

Instructions for life and living in a hyperconnected world

I will participate, but not as asked.”
― Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy

When I was in my fiery teens, my father declared me a rebel without a cause. I’ve always been contrary. If you tell me to go up, I will go down. If you tell me not to do something, you can be sure that I will go right ahead and do it. And then proudly tell you that I did it too. That fiery rebellion of my teenage years has mellowed over the years, though – I guess that’s what they call aging.

I may not be a fiery rebel, but I am still contrary. I question most things. I tend to think deeply. Sometimes, it is annoying. It would be so much easier to just go along with what everyone else is saying. With the things the world seems to value. With what everyone else is chasing. It is so much more difficult to try and swim against the tide.

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The magic of intuitive painting

On connecting to your intuitive voice, finding your intuitive flow, and creating paintings with depth

The magic of intuitive painting and how art mimics life

On this episode of The Art With Soul podcast, I talk about intuition and grace; the intuitive painting process and maintaining the flow between painting intuitively and painting more deliberately; and how these ideas and themes feed into art and life.

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Dancing with the muse

Plus some scenes from around the studio.

Dancing with The Muse: Finding our creative genius

I spent most of the weekend in the studio – painting, writing, creating. Completely engrossed in the paintings and projects before me. Flowing between paintings and projects and journaling and enquiry.

Not every weekend is like this, though I wish it was! Not every painting session goes so beautifully. And that got me to wondering.

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Finding inspiration for your art

It’s all about seeding your subconscious!

Finding creativity for your art and creativity practice as an intuitive painter

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, I talk about where I find inspiration as an intuitive painter. Showing up to the canvas without any preconceived ideas about what I want to paint or what I want my finished piece to look like can be both terrifying and exhilarating. Tune in for a peek into my process! You’ll find a written transcript of the podcast {edited lightly for readability} and additional resources below.

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Using art and creativity as touchstones to overcome depression and anxiety

It’s about intentional creativity + productivity and balancing time away from art

On this episode of The Art With Soul Podcast, I open up about my struggles with depression and anxiety, and share some of the ways in which my creative practice serves as a touchstone to help me overcome depression and anxiety. I talk about the importance – for me – of feeling a sense of agency against the darkness of depression, and how I find a balance between remaining creative and giving myself the space to just be without pushing or striving to overcome, and how that has made a big difference in my struggle with depression.

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Time management for artists

How to be effortlessly consistent with your creative practice + my unconventional planning tip for creative rebels.

Time management for artists they key to an effortlessly consistent art practice

In this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, I share some time management tips to help you make time consistently for your art and creative practices even in these challenging times, while balancing your responsibilities towards children and family. I also share my unconventional planning tip to help you schedule your day as an artist. You’ll find a written transcript of the podcast {edited for readability} and additional resources below.

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Art journal tutorial: Whimsical mixed media portrait

Join me in my art studio as I show you how to create a beautiful, whimsical portrait in your art journal – perfect for beginners and more experienced artists too!

Art journal tutorial for beginners whimsical mixed media portrait

There are days when you long for some gentleness. For softness and sweetness. For innocence and a certain je ne sais quoi.

On one such day, I pulled out my one-page shopping bag art journal, and decided to paint a sweet little flower girl. 

Some of the collage paper on the page inspired the idea for the flowers in her hair, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t create something like this in any art journal.

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Wondering if your art is relevant? This is for you!

A creative pep talk for artists and creatives: we need your art!

Text reads wondering if your art is relevant? Here's a creative pep talk for you. Image shows a woman sitting on a sofa with her head resting on a guitar.

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, I offer you a short – and I hope inspiring – creative pep talk for the days when you’re feeling confused and low about your artist’s journey. If you’ve ever wondered if your art….your creativity…is relevant, this episode is for you. You’ll find the transcript {lightly edited for readability} below.

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Art journal with me: Intuitive figurative mixed media journal page

Grab your art journal, pull out some of your favourite paints, and come join me as I show you how to create an intuitive figurative mixed media art journal page!

I started this page with some burnt umber acrylic paint, because the husband mixed up a much larger batch for his project, and you can’t let good paint go to waste, right?

I started the page without any ideas or agenda. In fact, this is the first time that I really used raw umber, and I have to say that I love it much more than raw sienna.

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9 no-fail tips to help you succeed at the 100 day project

On this episode of the Art with Soul podcast, I share some tips and ideas to help you plan for a successful 100 day project. If you’re tempted to give the challenge a try but aren’t sure you will be to able to successfully see the 100 days through, these suggestions will help to set you up for success! You’ll find a written transcript of the episode {edited for readability} + additional links and resources below.

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