🎧PREFER TO LISTEN TO THIS BLOG POST? TUNE IN HERE:
In the quiet days of early January, I chose my word for the year: Expansion. At the time, it felt like an invitation, a gentle push to stretch beyond the familiar, to open myself to new possibilities. But as the weeks unfold, I’m realizing that expansion isn’t just about more—it’s also about deepening.
And if the past month has been any indication, expansion has shown up in full force.
For the last few weeks, it’s been nose to the grindstone, or nose to the canvas, which ever phrase fits, I’ve been deep in the work. I’ve created five brand-new classes for three different collaborations happening in 2025. If this isn’t expansion, I don’t know what is.
It’s been an interesting month, full of self-reflection. I’ve had to push myself in new ways, creatively—working within specific boundaries, using limited materials, creating within a particular size, and meeting tight deadlines. As a spontaneous person and intuitive painter, none of these things are my natural inclination. But here’s the thing: as I come to the end of this month of building and expanding, I feel expanded.
I have all five pieces of art created, filmed, and ready, and I’m in the midst of editing the final class. And beyond my excitement for the artwork itself, I’m even more thrilled about the beautiful classes that I will get to share—not just with you, my art community, but with new communities as well.
This is the best kind of expansion. One that isn’t just about stretching creatively, but about opening doors to more people, guiding them into new ways of using creativity as a path toward healing.
Where is Your Creativity Asking You to Expand?
Maybe your expansion looks like trying a bold color you’ve never used, experimenting with a new material, or creating on a surface that feels unfamiliar. Or maybe, like me, your expansion is about learning to work within creative constraints—and finding unexpected freedom within them.
A Small Creative Challenge for Expansion
🎨 Pick a color you rarely use and make it the star of your next piece.
🖌 Try a material or technique that feels unfamiliar but intriguing.
💡 Let yourself follow a creative impulse, even if you don’t know where it will lead.
There’s so much waiting beyond the edges of what we already know. Let’s step into it, together.
A Little Spring Inspiration—Free Download
One of my absolute favorite indulgences (and let’s be honest, I’m not guilty about this one!) is Bella Grace Magazine. If you haven’t flipped through its pages before, imagine a dreamy mix of artful photography, heartfelt writing, and gentle inspiration that feels like a warm cup of tea on a slow morning. I consume every issue, and then—because I can’t help myself—I start using it in my collage art. Torn pages, layered words, textures that whisper little reminders of beauty and possibility.
So when I saw that Bella Grace is offering a free printable of their favorite spring quotes, I knew I had to share it with you. Here’s the link to download it—enjoy!
Maybe you’ll find a favorite phrase to pin on your wall, tape into your journal, or weave into your own artwork.
An Artist I’m Loving Lately: Kim Santini
Lately, I’ve been completely drawn into the world of Kim Santini—an artist whose work feels both deeply intuitive and joyfully expressive. If you haven’t come across her yet, I highly recommend taking a moment to explore her art (see her work here).
What fascinates me most about Kim’s work is her ability to blend loose, spontaneous mark-making with an incredible sense of form and movement. There’s this raw, unfiltered energy in her paintings, yet at the same time, they feel so thoughtfully composed—like she’s capturing the essence of her subject without overthinking it. That balance of freedom and intention is something I’m always drawn to in art.
Seeing her approach has been inspiring me to loosen my grip a little more, to embrace the unexpected, and to remember that the best work often comes from a place of deep trust in the process.
on the easel
Working title: “The Common”
Finding Momentum
You know that feeling when something has been stuck for weeks, and then suddenly—something shifts? That’s where I am with this piece I’m tentatively calling The Common. After lingering in the messy middle for what felt like forever, I finally made some big changes this week, and it’s finally moving forward again.
For a while, I was just making tiny adjustments, hoping they’d get me unstuck. But this week, I took a few bold steps, and now I can actually see where it’s going. It’s such a relief.
I’m planning to submit The Common to the Summer Art Show at the Canada Summit Centre, so that deadline has been a great motivator to keep showing up for it—one layer, one decision at a time. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
You know how we talk about how making art just feels good? Like, how it’s not really about the end result but more about the process—getting lost in the colors, the textures, the movement?
Well, apparently, doctors are starting to prescribe exactly that. It’s called social prescribing, and it’s this idea that healing isn’t just about medicine—it’s also about doing things that bring us joy, connection, and a sense of calm. Things like painting, journaling, and collage.
Which got me thinking… that’s kind of what I do here at Creative Delight Studio. My workshops aren’t just about making pretty things (though, let’s be honest, that part is fun too). They’re about giving ourselves space to breathe, to process, to feel a little lighter. A little more ourselves.
So, if you’ve been needing that lately—a little creative medicine for the soul, come make something with me. You don’t need to have any experience, just a willingness to show up and let the art do its thing.
P.S. If you’re curious, here’s where you can check this out → https://www.creativedelightstudio.com/
art workshop
If the idea of art as healing speaks to you, then I have the perfect place for you to start: my Flower Child workshop. 🌸
This workshop is a gentle, soulful exploration of creativity, using flowers and intuitive collage as a way to process emotions, reconnect with yourself, and invite a little beauty into your life. It’s about trusting your instincts, playing with layers, and letting your art unfold naturally—without judgment, without pressure.
Right now, Flower Child is 50% off—a little extra nudge to say yes to the creative practice your soul has been asking for.
If you’ve been craving a calm, nurturing space to create and explore, this is it. You don’t need any artistic experience—just an open heart and a willingness to play.
💛 → Join me inside Flower Child for 50% off
Come create, come breathe, come be. You deserve it.
GET ALL THE DETAILS AND REGISTER
creative tip to inspire
Art as a Path to Well-Being
Social prescribing is all about using creative and community-based activities to support well-being. It’s a way of recognizing that art, movement, and meaningful connection can be just as vital to our health as traditional medicine. Since my work is already rooted in art as a form of healing, this section offers a small, actionable idea that links creativity with self-care, emotional well-being, and community engagement—a practical way to bring more joy and connection into your life through art.
Words That Matter – A Collage to Keep & Pass On
Create a small collage filled with words that speak to you—cut them from magazines, write them by hand, or print them in a favorite font. Let this piece hold the message you need most right now—gentle encouragement, a grounding reminder, or a spark of inspiration. Keep it nearby, soak in its meaning, and let it fill you up.
When the time feels right—when you’ve absorbed all the good energy from your collage—pass it on. Give it to someone who might need it, tuck it into a library book, leave it on a café table, or mail it to a friend. The words that once nourished you might be just what someone else is waiting to hear.
Art has a beautiful way of rippling outward—what begins as an act of self-care can become an unexpected gift for another.
new
Introducing: Creative Check-In ✨
I’ve been thinking a lot about the conversations we have here—how art connects us, how creativity ebbs and flows, and how we all navigate the joys and challenges of making. I love hearing from you, and I want to create a space in this newsletter where we can connect more deeply.
So, I’m introducing a new section called Creative Check-In. Each week, I’ll share a simple question—something to reflection on, invite conversation, or help me understand what you need most in your creative journey.
I hope you’ll take a moment to consider the question, and maybe reply. Your thoughts help shape this space, my open studio sessions and the workshops I create.
Here’s our first Creative Check-In:
👉 If you could have a personal guide in your art space for one day, what would you want help with? (hands-on techniques, emotional encouragement, or creative structure, etc.)
Hit reply and let me know—I read and cherish every response. 💛
Stay Connected & Inspired!
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to the Creative Delight Studio newsletter for more musings, creative prompts, and studio updates—straight to your inbox. Let’s create, explore, and nurture our creativity together.
Sign up here and keep an eye out for fresh inspiration soon!
With curiosity and open hands,
P.S. Open Studio Sessions - An Invitation to Create Together
If you’ve got a work-in-progress from a Creative Delight Studio workshop that could use a little attention—or if you’re just craving some creative company—consider this your invitation to join us for an Open Studio Session.
I’ve been holding these gatherings for a while now, and every time, I’m reminded of how special it is to create together. Even through a screen, there’s something magical about sharing space with other artists who understand the ebb and flow of creativity—the quiet moments, the sparks of inspiration, the satisfaction of a finished piece. Whether you’re deep in a project, starting something new, or just showing up to soak in the energy, you are welcome.
What these sessions are all about:
✨ A place to ask for feedback, share what’s on your mind, or simply create in good company.
✨ A (gentle) nudge to finally finish those half-done pieces waiting patiently for you.
✨ A community that understands the messy, magical process of making art.
✨ A safe space to start something new, with gentle encouragement all around.
Upcoming Open Studio Sessions:
Sunday, March 23 @ 12 PM EDT
Wednesday, April 9 @ 6 PM EDT (For those in different time zones!)
Sunday, April 27 @ 12 PM EDT
Last time, we shared stories, admired each other’s work, and cheered each other on. It was a beautiful reminder of how powerful it is to create in community. I’d love for you to be part of it.
I’d love to see you there. 💛
Most-Loved Blog Post: The Magic of Soul Foraging: Blending Nature and Creativity for Healing
Nourish Your Creativity: Download My Free Creative Wellness Guide
Next Workshop – Personal Portraits: Join the Waitlist
Follow My Art Journey: Instagram
I live and create on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg peoples, lands that remain under their original stewardship. I honor their enduring connection to this place and their care for it over generations.
Comments