Hi Reader!

Would you consider yourself a risk taker? My initial response to that question was to chuckle and say (to myself), "definitely not, I am a proud card carrying overthinker 🙋 , thank you very much." Then I decided to sit with that idea a little bit. I certainly have not changed my mind, but I would say I am more of a calculated risk taker. I like to think over decisions, admittedly for longer than ususally necessary, but I am comfortable with change and with trying new things. I might have a pit in my stomach regarding a big decision, but that is often as much from excitement at possibilities as from fear.

So when I am talking about taking a risk, I'm not talking about quitting my job and living out of my car for the next year. My risks are admittedly small by comparison. The current risky decision that I am both excited and anxious about is my decision to purchase an online course called Art to Print. It is a course I have had on my radar since I started painting, and with the conclusion of my Summer Vibes project last month, I have been thinking that I wanted something that would push me a little bit.

Sharing about this decision in my recent blog post Taking Risks and in this newsletter seems a bit vulnerable since I haven't started any of the lessons yet, just clicked the enroll button. But saying it out loud or at least in type has the effect of putting the idea into the universe and all the possibilities of what could be. I'm not sure how long the process is going to take, but I'm excited to get started and share the ups and downs along the way.

The Holiday Season is Upon Us!

I'm not sure I am ready for the holidays yet as Halloween hasn't even happened, but many of the artists I follow on Instagram are already talking about ornaments, wrapping paper, holiday cards, holiday home décor, gift giving, and even 2024 calendars! Apparently if you are an artist, you start thinking about Christmas in July! Oops. I was busy wrangling summer campers in July not thinking about winter. But I have a question.

What type of arty things do you like to make or give during the holiday season?

I'm starting to decide if I want to create something for the holidays that might also take one thing off your holiday to-do list. I'm leaning towards holiday cards or holiday gift tags. What do you think? Hit reply to this email and let me know.

​Instagram Highlights

New on the Blog

Taking Risks | Art to Print Read article

Creating Art from Reference Photos Read article

Photo Inspiration

What I'm Watching

I have been on a bit of a political drama kick lately with The West Wing and Madam Secretary at the top of my recommendations this year. I waited what seemed like forever for Gaslit to come in from the library, but I think it was worth the wait. My knowledge of the Watergate scandal mainly comes from watching All the President's Men. I really enjoyed Julia Robert's performance in this show and it was interesting to see all of the different characters and all of the scheming that was going on at that time.

What I'm Reading

After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill is SO GOOD. Is she writing the book about him? Or is he or is he writing a book about her writing about him? The ways the story lines flowed into each other was done so expertly that sometimes I found myself going back a couple pages trying to remember which character the chapter started with. It was really a unique take on a crime mystery. The only thing I kind of wish is that the book was a bit longer. It seemed to end too quickly!

Did you miss a newsletter?

You can find past editions on my website now under Insider's Club.

Until next time!

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