I'm quitting...

Just to clarify, I am not quitting art, I am quitting social media, specifically Facebook and Instagram…which are the two I have focused my efforts on.

After some reflection, I realized that social media just burnt me out completely. So, I stopped posting, or I would post now and then thinking things would be different, but they weren't. So, I've decided to take a break from social media for a while. Instead, I'll be posting updates on my blog and sending emails to my special mailing list members. If you'd like to stay in the loop about my newest art, classes, and my thoughts on creativity, mindset, and life in general, you should join my email newsletter. I'd be thrilled to have you as a part of my email community!

Going forward, I plan to let the process of sharing my art evolve organically, just like my art has been evolving since moving to Arizona. I've realized that I need to find a way to share my work that doesn't interrupt my creative flow or take up too much of my time. Hopefully, if I can capture snippets in a more integrative way, sharing my work will become a natural extension of my creative process.

So, I came up with a few ideas. For starters, I'm going to start filming short studio vlogs where I talk about what I'm currently working on. I've already filmed one, and I'll be posting it in the next day or so. I'll be sure to let you know as soon as it's up!

Also, I want to write more, like I used to on my blog before social media was a "thing." I want to share what's on my heart in a way that's more personal and intimate than a social media post could ever be - and in a space that's entirely mine.

So, that's why I've been a little quiet online lately. The other reason is just life, health, and family stuff, which always come first. But creativity is a crucial part of my mental health, so I'm trying to find more ways to integrate it into my daily life. I'll keep you posted on that, too - stay tuned!

Until next time…

Lots of love and bunches of hugs!
Paulette

On feeling unproductive...

After weeks of unproductive house hunting, I decided it was time do something productive.....so I got my art studio back into a working state and got the custom color palette worked out for my next custom painting. Felt good!

Mixing custom paint colors to match client's room.  

I've got many plans in the works (limited edition prints, clothing, and accessories featuring my art), but with most of my time and energy going into finding a new home for us, I haven't had much left over. I've found it difficult to switch gears between house hunting, family, and art with my energy reserves being so low. So just stick with me....I'm hopeful that we will find a new home soon and I'll be able to get back to art and regular life before too much longer. :)

Much love and hugs y'all!!!!

Art + gratitude

Haven't had time to paint in a couple of weeks....that's what happens when you're getting your house ready to put on the market. The other day, I just had to make some time to throw a little paint on a canvas..so I started a new painting so I wouldn't worry about ruining an almost finished painting.

Yesterday my organizer was here...we got the living room cleaned out somewhat and moved a solid wood bookcase into the garage to open up the room a bit. Also moved a huge IKEA bookcase out of our breakfast nook and sorted through all the stuff that had been inside.

After she left, I hung one of my paintings over this chair in the living room (where the wood bookcase used to be), which is my doggie's favorite spot. She does not like having her picture taken. Lol!  Making progress....still much left to do...

...and I'm so very thankful I convinced my hubby I couldn't possibly do this all by myself (I'm organizationally challenged).

Now I wonder why I didn't hire her sooner! She is a God-send for sure! Feeling confident now that with her help I can have everything cleared out, the house staged, and ready to list on time.

Take a walk with me

Now that we are fully entrenched in fall here in the Pacific Northwest, the trees are drenched in warm, rich hues and when they fall to the ground {which is still such a bright green because of all the rain we get come fall}, it creates a stark contrast of complementary colors. As a creative, that is something that just makes me come alive!

Color is a gateway to the heart....each one giving off it's own energy, even reflecting or affecting the emotions of the viewer. They have a strong impact on our emotions and are an inseparable part of our every day lives.

So as you are out and about doing your daily routines, take a few minutes to pause and soak in the colors around you.....as you just may find that they provide a much needed moment of refreshment in an otherwise hurried day.

New digs + new art

If you haven't visited my site in a while, them you're in for a treat! I've completely redesigned it, so if you're reading this post in your blog reader, get on over to www.pauletteinsall.com and check it out! :)

I've also been hard at work on my new abstract painting series and you can see all my finished pieces in the new online shop www.pauletteinsall.com/shop where you can now purchase paintings directly from my website with a credit card and it's all secure. I'm offering free shipping for a limited time to celebrate the new site, so I encourage you to grab any you love now and not wait.

Below are just a few of the pieces that are still in progress...there are many more, but I'll share them in another post. Lots going on in the studio right now and I'm learning so much about myself through the process....I learn new things each and every day! For instance, I have found that even though when I paint, or do almost anything for that matter, I produce a mess....but I don't function well in a messy space. Now, I don't like to clean ;) but I must in order to keep myself from getting stuck creatively....it's like the mess around me creates a block....which has lead me to trying to keep my house in better order as well. Lots of purging going on here too! Gosh have we accumulated a lot of stuff! Lol! Okay, I'm gonna be quiet now so you can go look at the paintings.... :D

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Hope y'all are havin' a wonderful Thursday! As for me, I'll be glad when the sun shows up again this weekend. Ready for some summer sun! :)