One week of intentional practice with new tools and materials can change a lot. This past week I spent 1 hour a day really learning my new paper, brushes, and water ratios instead of rushing to make finished work. Just slowing down and experimenting, researching, and playing~ seeing how much water the paper can actually hold, how pigment disperses, when ink blooms beautifully versus when it muddies, how different brushes carry and release paint. This kind of practice is IMPORTANT~! We NEED this to further ourselves. We can't expect to get better on a whim and some sheer luck. A week of focused experimentation builds familiarity. Familiarity builds confidence. Confidence builds fluency. Suddenly your hand hesitates less because you understand your materials instead of fighting them. I think a lot of artists feel pressure to constantly produce finished pieces, but growth happens in the quieter moments more often than not~ the testing, the failed marks, the weird little experiments, the “what happens if I try this?” sessions. Practice is not wasted time. Learning your tools is part of the art itself. What would it look like for you if you spent even 20 minutes a day learning your tools, materials, process, or craft a little more~? (Here are my 6 days... I somehow didn't take a pic of some of the things I added~ last one was from tonight where I started playing with ideas for how this can be applied to designs and patterns~ slightly blame @Jen Ritchie for that 🤣🫶🏻)

Billow~ to swell, roll, or rise in soft waves. Clouds billow. Fabric billows. Smoke, water, emotions, ideas, even seasons can billow outward and change the atmosphere around them. This week, think about movement that expands instead of rushes. What slowly gathers in your work lately~? What’s rising beneath the surface? What feels soft but powerful at the same time? Your interpretation can go anywhere: - literal clouds, water, fabric, smoke - emotional waves - memory and atmosphere - overgrowth and nature - chaos or calm - fantasy, surrealism, abstraction - quiet moments that feel larger than they first appear Art doesn’t always arrive like lightning. Sometimes it gathers slowly… then fills the entire sky. Show us what Billow means to you~ 🎨

What’s currently on your desk, screen, easel, sketchbook, workbench, or quietly taking shape in the background~? Finished or unfinished, polished or chaotic, tiny steps still count. Sometimes progress looks like a completed piece. Sometimes it looks like messy thumbnails, color tests, half-written notes, or simply showing up again today. 🌱 Share what you’re working on below~ Art, writing, music, design, gardening, planning, experiments, ideas-in-progress… all are welcome here~!

I’m incredibly honored to be the first guest on Diana Pequeno’s new podcast, Elevated Conversations, launching today~!!! @Diana Pequeno has built a space centered around connection, reflection, growth, and meaningful conversation~ and I’m genuinely excited to see where this journey takes her. She's such a shining light and genuine soul~ ALWAYS bringing laughter and excitement to the table along with wonderful creative ideas and thoughts. If you’ve ever wanted deeper conversations around creativity, life, purpose, community, healing, or simply what it means to move through the world as a human being trying their best… I think this is going to become something very special. Congratulations, Diana~!! 🌿 Proud of you for taking the leap and creating something with heart. Go show Elevated Conversations some love today~ ✨ https://www.youtube.com/@liveloveflow And if you're curious about Cre8tiv Collective, pop into our: Our Recommendations class for more information about Diana and the amazing work she does~!

What are you working on right now~? Finished or unfinished, polished or messy, all progress counts here. Sometimes growth looks like a masterpiece. Sometimes it looks like paint tests, scraps, notes, thumbnails, or trying the same thing six different ways until it clicks~ 🌿 Drop your WIPs below~ art, writing, music, planning, gardening, business projects, all of it is welcome.