THE BLOG

Dear Wonderful, Creative You:

Welcome to Mindful Art Studio. I am Amy and I’m here to show you how to paint from your heart and soul and play with art again.

RECEIVE UPDATES

Stay up to date on my latest classes & retreats to help you fill your life with art!

Best Gifts for Artists 2023

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: I love creating a yearly list of gifts for artists. I love getting...

Mindful Art Studio Best Books 2023

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Each year I compile a list of books that have been important to me...

5 Beginner Watercolor Techniques

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Over the last year I've been playing with 5 beginner watercolor...

Making Art Work In The Time You Have

Aug 1, 2022 | Art Tutorials, Creative Self-Care, Mindfulness

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Last week I had the great pleasure of returning to Maine to camp for the week with my family. It's always a time of incredible views, hikes, bikes, and far too many sticky buns and ice cream cones. It's also a time that I always bring my...

Clear The Clutter and Make More Art

Jul 11, 2022 | Art Supplies, Creative Self-Care

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: For some of us, it can be hard to make time and space for art making. It's easier to buy art supplies than to create with them. It's easier to put the things that need to be dealt with in your art space, than to deal with them. Some of...

Our Longing For Retreat

Jun 6, 2022 | Creative Self-Care

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: It's been two years since I've been able to return to one of my most beloved places on earth - to Squam Lake for an art retreat. When I arrived, the lake was a sight for sore eyes, and I felt myself sink into its familiar embrace. Squam...

What Can I Do With My Slow Drawings?

Apr 11, 2022 | Art journaling tutorial, Art Tutorials

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Slow drawing has seeped into every part of my art practice. I love the way these nature-based patterns seem to have a connection to everything, and everyone sees them differently. It speaks to the way these patterns repeat throughout...

Finding a Sense of Wonder in Your Art

Mar 14, 2022 | Art Tutorials, Mindfulness

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: I've been hosting Slow Drawing Parties since the beginning of the pandemic, and so many folks have told me how important the practice is to their lives. But when folks first start, especially if they are new to art, it can be hard to...

Join the Simplest Things Challenge!

Jan 24, 2022 | Art journaling tutorial, Creative Self-Care

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Last year, during all the stress of the pandemic and lockdown, I pondered a simple question: What would happen if I created the simplest thing I could in my journal today? It's a pretty radical question, isn't it? How often do we have...

The Best Gifts for Artists 2022

Dec 6, 2021 | Art Supplies, Creative Self-Care, Favorite

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: While I tend towards minimalism, I enjoy a new art supply from time to time as much as the next person. But for me this is the key: I buy just a few, high quality supplies so that they work well and keep me having fun. Here are a few of...

The Best Gifts for Artists 2021

Dec 6, 2021 | Art Supplies, Creative Self-Care

Dear Wonderful, Creative You: This year, in the spirit of reducing the amount of stuff that might end up in our oceans or landfills, I'm suggesting some less tangible, but highly valuable gifts. Some of them are completely free, and others are an investment. Each of...