As I typically do about this time of year, I start planning and looking to next year for what I want to accomplish… I also was needing some rest this week to get over a cold. So I did a lot of writing. A lot of just journaling things out… kind of a brain dump.

But also in this process, I usually turn to my beloved books for quotes or phrases to inspire me. And of course my most reliable companion…. (I think we would be best friends in real life) Morgan Harper Nichols always encourages me, uplifts me and gives me a comforting perspective on life.

As I was writing I was focusing on what I’m grateful for and this quote from her, just flopped open as I was turning the pages of her book (All along you were blooming).

“And if you truly want to grow, make a practice out of gratitude: The daily art of celebrating the life unfolding before your eyes.”

The daily art of celebrating this one beautiful, hard, uncertain, joyful life we have. I immediately knew that I wanted to paint my gratitude, my blessings…. I’ll share more about it in the video.

I hope you enjoy this yummy textural project, that helps you practice your gratitude and that you’ll remember how much you are loved!

Supplies used:

1. 12×12 wood panel
2. Liquitex gesso black and white
3. Liquitex fluid matte medium
4. Utrecht gesso
5. Acrylic paint – unbleached titanium, yellow ochre, raw sienna, burnt sienna, custom teal mix
6. Golden fluid raw umber
7. Soft pastel pencils and stick
8. Generals charcoal pencil
9. Stabilo all pencil,
10. Palette knife and 1/2″ flat brush and angle brush
11. Collage paper

Stencils used: THESE WILL BE ON SALE THIS WEEK

1. scribble squares
2. bold numbers