Practicing Hope 7-9-23

Posted Jul 9, 2023

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In today’s project, I feel all the things that I’ve been experimenting with over the last year coming together.

And that’s what all the practice and play is about. To get new tools for our art tool belt.

I brought together new texture making ideas with paper and sandpaper, a bold color palette and bits of paper peeking through the layers. So many little things that I’ve picked up this year that I’m excited to start putting together.

I even made 3 new stencils just for this project.

Also, today’s inspirational book is called Botanicum, it is a visual feast for the eyes and I will be inspired by this book for a few week I think.

My other inspiration for this piece was from a note from Morgan Harper Nichols. I have an app on my phone that I subscribe to called story teller by Morgan and its daily encouraging prompts and journaling space. I love it! But this week one of the messages was called practicing hope one day at a time.

Morgan talked about how sometimes we want this giant event to happen that will bring us hope. But it’s in the noticing of the little things that we can find our hope and joy.

Hope is practice and if we can find little moment to be grateful for everyday…. that is when hope takes over.

When we notice the sunrise, or a yummy dinner, or the laughter of our loved ones, or a song that we love and so many other little things that we overlook in the business of each day.

I share more about this and the project in the video. I hope you enjoy it and always know that you are loved!

This Original is available HERE and the prints HERE

Supplies used:

12 x12 wood panel
Liquitex fluid matte medium
Liquitex gesso white
Blick matte black acrylic
Acrylic paints – green gold, olive green, cottage white,
Nova color paynes gray acrylic
Winsor and Newton raw umber
Utrecht gesso
Soft pastel pencils, and soft pastel sticks, Generals charcoal pencil
Daler and Rowney paynes gray acrylic ink
Brayer, sanding block 120
collage paper
Wet-strength tissue paper

Stencils used: THESE WILL BE ON SALE THIS WEEK

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Posted Jul 9, 2023

shawn petite in her studio in front of an easel

Hello there! I’m Shawn Petite

I’ve been teaching and creating for well over 30 years. About 15 years ago I found my art soul mate in mixed media, and it changed my life! I love the story that can be told by combining paint, texture, ink, paper and—really anything that you can imagine.

But what I’m truly passionate about is being your guide, walking with you step by step and helping you become your own hero in your creative journey.

Along my path, I’ve learned that the creating art also creates a healing space. Life can be messy and complicated and painful, but something about a paint brush can help heal your soul.

Join me on this journey of art and inspiration!