Our Vacation [ Snapshots ]

a 6 hour drive. the beach. bike rides. fondue. our 5th anniversary. and lots of antique shopping.

my favorite things about mark's family vacations are the traditions... 

bocce ball on the beach. evening bike rides after dinner. the best hush puppies. our go-to ice creamery.

it was perfect.

i'm being spoiled a bit having a whole week off of work.  it's been filled with lots relaxation, and painting in preparation for our Etsy store to officially open September 1st!  i can't wait to share my work with you! 

hope everyone has had a great week!
what are your favorite family vacay traditions??

[ On My Heart ] Living My Dream

i've spent the past four years of college attempting to figure out what i want to be when i grow up.  i've always had a plan, always looking ahead to my future.  i started looking at colleges in 7th grade (no joke), picking out my future dream houses, and planning my career and businesses (i had a killer pet sitting company when i was 10 :) for as long as i can remember, and suddenly,

its as if i woke up this morning,and my future is here.

today. tomorrow. now.

my internship will be ending next week, and i am being thrown into the real world, starting my career. i have prayed, and prayed, asking for guidance as i decide what i want to do, and finally i have realized it. i just want to be an a r t i s t.  a real, full-time, starving artist.  its weird to say out loud... "what do you do?", "oh me? i'm an artist :)" but i have made the decision that as of next week i will be, an artist. i will be working part-time to cover my living expenses and then painting as much as i possibly can.  and i can hardly wait!  it just feels right.  who knows if i will really be able to make a living, but i sure as heck am going to give it a shot.  YIKES.  as i type this i feel the bit of anxiety slipping into my stomach... but for now its mostly being drown out by shear excitement.

this is what i was meant to do.... i think.  i'm continuing to pray for guidance, grace, confidence, and a bit of luck along the way. && i will be opening my online shop September 1st.  (I'm making you guys hold me accountable for this date! ha)

i am just so grateful for the chance to be surviving living my dream, and thankful for you for coming along with me on this journey:)

[ On My Heart ] Gratitude

for this week's on my heart, i just wanted to express the utmost gratitude for helping me reach 50 followers this week.  i know its only a baby step, but its the first benchmark i've reached, and i am absolutely over the moon.  this blog has really become like my own little baby, watching it grow and develop.  i can't wait to see what will come next.

i'm still learning a lot about this whole blog thing, but i have fallen in love, head over heels, with this community.  ya'll are so kind and supportive, and brighten my day with every single new follower and comment.  thank you!

i would love for any suggestions or comments... what are you're favorite posts? what would you like to see more/less of?  

a few have asked about my shop... it's not yet officially opened (i just feel like i don't have a large enough collection paintings finished to put online yet) but i am accepting custom orders if you have something in mind (even if its just a single color to work from.) i'm sure together we can create something beautiful for your home.  i also do portraits if you are looking for paintings of your children or family.  (e-mail me for more samples of my portrait work)

have a great weekend!  and from the bottom of my heart, thank you again!

[ On My Heart ]

i am exhausted. i do not know why.  i am usually so excited for the weekend on fridays, that i can at least temporarily fight off any tiredness. but today for some reason my mind is a pile of mush and i know that if i shut my eyes this instant i could easily doze off for an hour or two.  moms and teachers... you guys are my heros.  these kids have worn me out.

i've started to write this post about 5 times... each time hitting a wall, unsure of what i want to say.  so instead, i have just given up on the words, and have decided to share just a few snapshots of my week...

i've been obsessed with the sky lately... its where i am most in awe and feel so in touch with God's work.  so much so, that i'm currently working on a series of plein-air inspired "atmosphere" paintings. i have made sure to keep my camera near by... which means many sudden stops along the side of the road :)

maybe/hopefully tomorrow i will have something much more enlightening and brilliant to say :)

any secrets for staying motivated/energetic?? i'm all ears.  

 (i'm chugging a coffee as i type this... my 3rd one today)

happy friday!