What I've Been Painting Lately

The past month has felt really good. The kind of good that feels steady and right. I feel like myself again.

For the first time in a long while, I’m putting my art first in my career instead of letting the business completely take over, and that shift has brought so much excitement with it. There’s still a little bit of fear, sharing new work always feels vulnerable, but overall I feel genuinely happy about what I’m creating and where it’s headed.

My art-making days have fallen into a rhythm that I truly love. I’m painting from 9:00 to 2:45, and it’s been such a gift to have that uninterrupted time. On my lunch break, I take my dog for a walk, and that small pause helps clear my mind before stepping back into the studio. 

One of the biggest shifts this week is that I officially moved my studio from our warehouse into a spare bedroom at home (see a quick video on facebook or instagram!). It might sound like a small change, but it’s been huge for me. Creating in a quiet, familiar space, surrounded by the life I love, has changed how the work feels. There’s less pressure, more ease, and a sense of freedom I didn’t realize I was missing. The art feels more honest here. I feel calmer, more focused, and more connected to what I’m making, and I can already tell it’s shaping this new body of work in the best way.

This week in the studio, I’ve been working on pieces for the Memorial & Remembrance Collection. Alongside the two cardinals I’ve already shared, I painted a lamb and a blue jay. Both felt peaceful to create and came together in a really gentle, meaningful way. These pieces continue to remind me why I started this collection in the first place, to create art that holds love, memory, and comfort.

I’ve also been working on a new line drawing that will be released as part of my Signature Collection this spring, and this work feels especially close to my heart. It’s deeply personal and very much from my soul. It’s the kind of art I’ve always wanted to make, and it feels really good to finally give myself the space to do that.

I’m creating so differently than I was a year ago. Back then, I was constantly traveling, exhausted, and stretched thin. Now, my art comes first, and that simple change has made everything feel lighter, for me and for my family.

Behind the scenes, I’ve been doing a lot of quiet, intentional work, refining my practice and focusing on making the best work I possibly can for my collectors. We’ve also been working on framing options with an incredible, ethical manufacturer, with everything made here in the U.S., which feels really exciting and aligned.

I’ve intentionally stepped back from a lot of the extra business noise. I don’t need to do it all anymore. What I’m protecting most right now is my artwork and the space it needs to grow.

Outside the studio, being home has been one of the biggest joys. I’m here when my son gets home from school, get to take my dog on more walks, getting to spend time with my family in the afternoons & evenings, and feeling present in ways I didn’t realize I was missing. One of my favorite small moments lately has been seeing my husband come home for lunch and getting to sit and eat together, even thought it's just for a few minutes.

I’m so excited about where this body of work is going, and I can’t wait to share more as it continues to unfold. Thank you for being here and for caring about the art enough to follow along.

xo,
Amanda

"Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten"
- Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield