After years of fighting self-doubt and working toward a healthy work/life balance, I hit my stride in my art studio. This summer I found myself painting almost daily and feeling more confident in my ideas and imagery. And there’s something that happens when you achieve a goal: you immediately set a bigger one. For me, this came in the form of the largest painting I’ve ever made and an experimental, interactive art piece.

The big painting was inspired by my recent trip to Caprock Canyons State Park. It’s a landscape of the canyons on three canvases, totaling 30″x70″ in size. It took weeks to complete and will be the highlight of my upcoming Iconic Texas art show. A few years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of painting something so big, but now I want to go even bigger! I’m incredibly proud of myself and the progress I’ve made since I decided to try making art full-time.

So, I went bigger. And I also went weirder!

I’ve been experimenting with black light paint and ways to create interactive or installation art for events. And one night, my friend Laura and I were chatting and came up with “black light paint-by-number” as a potential party activity.

I immediately fell in love with this concept and asked my friend Chase if I could use one of his drawings as imagery – he sent me a crab/fish monster! Perfect for the neon colors in black light paint and the upcoming spooky Halloween season. So, I planned out the painting and rounded up the supplies and did a test run outside my friend’s house.

It was a hit! I’m excited to refine the process and have it available as a fun activity for future events.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Neill-Cochran House Museum for Austin Museum Day! It was a beautiful afternoon of art and music and it was wonderful to meet so many new people.

I’ve been busy filling my shop with art prints, mugs, and a shirt that celebrates Austin’s Barton Creek Greenbelt (my favorite place to hike). Head over to my shop page to see what’s new. And if there’s something that you want to see (like sticker packs), please leave a comment below. Thanks!