Published!
Hello sweet creative!
I’m absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news with you… my artist journey and mixed-media art have been featured in the very first issue of a beautiful new magazine: Made in Her Studio by Stampington & Company!
Aside from lots of inspiring art, the article is a heartfelt reflection on how I (re)discovered my artist soul after a difficult chapter in my life. If you’ve ever felt creatively stuck or unsure of your path, I think you’ll find something that resonates. I open up about being a sensitive, imaginative child who didn’t believe art could ever be more than a hobby… until one day, the creative fairy inside me could no longer be silenced.
The article follows my journey from burnout and self-doubt, through motherhood and rediscovery, to the moment I picked up a paintbrush and truly felt like myself again. (The first painting I ever made? A bird out of its cage...)
You’ll also get some of my favorite low-cost collage tips, plus a step-by-step mixed media layering technique you can try right away.
Being part of this first issue of Made in Her Studio is such an honor, especially knowing how much I’ve been inspired over the years by other artists featured in Stampington magazines. I truly hope this piece brings you a sense of connection, encouragement, and lights up your creative spark.
My very first magazine cover
Flashback to 2014 - a turning point that still brings me goosebumps. I found myself holding the July issue of Somerset Studio in my hands… and my art was on the cover! Inside, a special five-page feature with all my Jane Austen-inspired paintings (that would later inspire the Dear Jane class). It felt surreal to hold the physical copy at last.
That moment marked a quiet but profound victory. For years, I had kept my creativity tucked away "for later" in the back of my heart. I never imagined it would be seen by others, let alone celebrated. But with that cover, something shifted. I felt like I was standing up, in full color, saying: “Yes, I’m an artist. For real.”
I remember sitting with my (then tiny) children, showing them the magazine, and saying, “Look! Mommy is in here. My painting is on the cover!” They probably didn't fully get it, but they echoed my joy with big smiles. That moment was not just for me — it was a message to them, and to all of us, that it’s okay to dream, to believe, because when you commit to them, dreams actually do come true.
I shared my joy on my blog and you can read about it here:
That first cover will always remind me that dreams are real — and that when we say yes to them, the universe sometimes answers with a quiet, magical yes of its own.
It was so exciting when students in the US sent me pictures of the magazine in newsstands, long before I received my own copy!
Trusting the journey
Every detour, every misstep, every “wrong turn” — they’re not mistakes. They’re part of the creative path.
When we’re walking the artist journey, no matter if we're a complete beginner or more experienced, it’s easy to feel like we should “have it all figured out" from the start, and immediately have beautiful art to share.
But the truth is, no path is ever straight. Just like in every piece of art we create, there are seasons of doubt, of stillness, of beginning again. There are paintings that fall flat, ideas that don’t take flight, and moments where we wonder if we’re lost.
But what matters most isn’t perfection or certainty — it’s trust. Trusting your inner guide, that quiet voice that knows what lights you up. And taking the next step anyway, even when you can’t yet see where it leads.
That’s why moments like being featured in Made in Her Studio — or seeing my art on the cover of Somerset Studio — feel so deeply meaningful. Not because they’re the goal, but because they are a reflection of the journey. A gentle whisper from the universe that says, “You’re on the right path. Keep going.”
Because whether it’s a magazine cover, a gallery show, or simply the walls of your own home, or a card you made for a friend, your art matters. Your story matters. Every time you choose to listen to your creative spark, you give others permission to do the same.
So wherever you are — whether you’re just beginning, returning after a break, or walking boldly toward a new creative dream — please keep going.
Keep creating. Keep trusting that your voice, your vision, and your light are needed in the world.
Celebrating the Journey
As I reflect on these milestones — from the first time my art was published, to being featured in Made in Her Studio — I’m reminded that each one was born not from striving for recognition, but from simply showing up with heart and paint-covered hands.
Over the years, my work has found its way into many beautiful publications, and each feature has felt like a quiet affirmation: that when we trust our voice and follow our inspiration, magic happens.
If you’d like to take a little walk down memory lane with me, I’ve gathered all those moments on a special page. Just click below to explore:
No matter where you're at, please keep honoring your own journey, one layer, one brushstroke, one brave step at a time. That's my wish for you!
Light, Love & Fairy Dust,
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