Summer Fun: A Season of Rest
People often ask if I paint every day. Guess what, I don’t! Especially after releasing a big collection, I like to pause and reflect — I’ve found that it’s just as important for my art practice.
I have seasons where I paint a lot. And other seasons where I rest and fill up my inspiration well! The past couple of weeks has been a much needed season of rest (releasing collections is no easy job). Here’s what the start of the summer has looked like!
Gardening: I’m trying my hand at gardening this year with a little flower and vegetable garden behind our house. This week I harvested my first flower, a Zinnia, and I’ve got a lot of baby tomatoes that will be ready to eat soon!
Reading: I’m still working on Ninth Street Women; and I’ve started On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist by Amy Merrick.
Church: It feels really nice to go back to church in-person on Sundays!
Enjoying the local food scene: Brantley and I always go to Maple View Farm for ice cream in June (it’s where we had our wedding reception). We’ve also become regulars at Eastcut, it’s our favorite restaurant in Durham, NC!
Yoga: Yep, I’m trying it! I mostly run for exercise, but I’m enjoying getting out of my comfort zone and switching things up a little.
Lunch dates with friends: I met my friend and fellow artist, Christy M. King, for lunch in Chapel Hill recently. We had a lovely time checking out Kipos Greek Taverna’s new location — they have the cutest outdoor area! (P.S. Christy just released a beautiful new collection of Nature Walk paintings with Well and Wonder!)
Soaking up the sunshine: I think I take after my grandma Betty Sue with my love of sunshine. We visited Brantley’s family in Wilmington and enjoyed a windy boat ride, Memorial Day weekend!
What I’m looking forward to this summer:
Catching up with my best girlfriends who I haven’t seen in over a year!
Painting summer commissions!
Teaching a summer camp (or two) at the school I do graphic design for.
Planning my next collection!