A favorite pastime of mine? Hitting the thrift stores, antiques shops, and vintage hangouts.
It's immersive for me. I'm in the moment, my mind processing memories, shapes, and colors.
Looking for things that light me up—a piece of joy to add to my surroundings (even better if it can become part of a painting!)
The life of an artist holds so many intrinsic pleasures 🙂–things that are part of the work. 
(Sometimes one feels a little guilty that our work is so incredibly fun...!)

A few things that have settled my soul these past days…

Journaling first (before I onboard anyone else's ideas and conversations—holding that precious space for my own thoughts, my own voice.)

Reading a poem a day from ‘You Better Be Lightning’ by Andrea Gibson. She wows me. The first poem is an acceptance speech for setting the world record on goosebumps. You can hear it performed by Andrea here.

Perusing this👇 magazine, taking my time to move through it—just a little nibble each day A Romanticized Life

Cutting the last of my hydrangea blooms and making a bouquet—I cannot tell you how much pleasure I've gotten from it.

Sitting for 20 minutes in the sun with Rosie the Doodle, feet in grass—making the most of these fall days.

Starting the day with thank you.

Making cabbage stew, an old family recipe that connects me to warm memories.

Listening to the tune that I've had on repeat for days (not kidding!) C'est Magnifique

What I'm gaining…

Learning to savor—not reaching for the next thing while still holding something so infinitely beautiful as this moment in my hands

Loving stillness 

Experiencing gratitude for life, such as it is and such as it finds us. Perfectly imperfect and yet still breathtakingly beautiful.

Remembering the pauses between the doing are often more important than the doing itself.

Cheers to the slow beauty of colorful Fall days. 


What's making a difference in your world these days? Let me know in the comments below.

Hugs!
Dreama

P.S. Even though I said the doors were closed, let’s just say I forgot to lock them 😉. You can still join Flow, my monthly painting membership, and scoop up the Dream.Love.Paint course bonus (a $500 value!)—a full online painting journey that’s been a turning point for so many artists. A cozy gift to yourself this fall 🍂 Click here to join Flow + receive the bonus

Summer Romance
12 x 12” oil on panel