OOO vibes
A new podcast interview, Megan Clouse's short stories you wish wouldn't end, a June recap, and thoughts on surrendering to the season.
My favorite thing about ‘The Art Table’ is that it doesn’t have to be a specific destination or tangible object. It’s simply a space to practice art, and that space is always subject to change. Your ‘Art Table’ could be your plein air campsite, your desk where you doodle over lunch break, or your sketchbook on the L train. Not unlike a yoga mat - something easily replaced by a beach towel or rectangle of toy free space - it’s more conceptual than physical. Of course, a flat surface often helps, especially if you’re print making:
For this current season, or month, of life - one where we are still living an hour from our house during renovations, my husband was unexpectedly hospitalized for 4 days (he’s ok!), we all got Covid for the first time, and travelled across the country for a wedding (not particularly in that order!) - I’m finding it makes the most sense to embrace these malleable qualities of my art table, and even occasionally step away. To prioritize the nurturing of those creative juices, and toddlers too of course.
It probably comes as no surprise then that I will not be hosting an open studio show this month. Any work I’ve been able to complete this year has been sent off to galleries, so the inventory for a show just isn’t there. I’m sad it won’t work out, we had such a fabulous time and turn out last July, but I believe finding a new rhythm in both our home and my work this fall should bode well for a smash of a party next summer.
All this to say, I hope this offers you a sign that it’s okay to step back, if that’s what the season calls for. Certainly none of us need permission to take a break, but it’s a good reminder anyway!
I actually have several updates to share this month, along with a couple of my favorite Beach Portrait Stories from last year written by my dear friend Megan. To learn + read more about this collaboration, head to my Substack archive from July 2023.
Now, keep reading for the good stuff!
New Podcast Interview
Katherine on The Art Coaching Club Podcast, hosted by Hayley Price
Speaking of boundaries, it’s a hot topic in this recent podcast interview! We also discuss clarifying your business vision, setting goals, elevating your work, and the importance of connecting with your local community. I share some BTS of my business, including how I sell prints, what I’m currently working on, and how motherhood mixes into it all.
If you’re in the biz and want to learn more, keep listening to Hayley’s impressive lineup of guests and sign up for her new substack!
New Painting
‘Beach Baby’, now available at Design Supply Gallery
Grab yourself that bag of goldfish and take a seat, the pair of flips is saving your spot.
Beach Portrait Stories
‘Almost There’
Sandy looked over her shoulder with a smile stretched wide across her face and hollered back to Julie, “We are almost to the beach - you’re going to love it!” This summer trip had been a dream of Sandy’s for over a decade, planning, saving, emailing dates over and over, and finally the three sisters were all together on this glorious Tuesday.
With sun-kissed knees and her swinging beach bag, they pedaled down the road, past the old Manning house with crooked shutters and arrived at a quiet hidden cove. The three stepped off their bikes carefully leaning them against a lone Beech tree, took in a deep breath of air, and without missing a beat, looked at each other and started laughing just like they were little girls sharing the upstairs bedroom all those years ago.
‘To-do List’
The house rental touted that it had “amazing water views with nothing but serenity,” and Rex hit the Book It button without reading anything else in the description. All he wanted was quiet. Quiet from work, quiet from the emails-news-noise of life. He just needed to get back to a place where he could think quietly and remember who he used to be.
Every morning Rex woke with the sun and swam to the channel marker and back; he read a book cover to cover that had been waiting on his nightstand for over two years, and every afternoon he walked to the local market and grabbed a few items to make himself a simple dinner.
With his breath calm again and his bag on the backseat of his idling car, he pulled the curled notepad out of the junk drawer and wrote the homeowner a simple thank you signing his name. He paused, and almost as if the pen was writing on its own, the tip of the pen reached back down to the paper and added, “p.s. please let me know if you ever wish to sell your beautiful home; I would like to live here forever.”
Read more Beach Portrait Stories from July 2023
Table Talk
Aka the convos I’d be having with you while sitting together, making art.
I’m working on the Bryant Park Mural, and listening to another NYT bestseller while I paint that takes place in TC + Leelanau County (last fall I read Tom Lake while painting which also was giving major simulation vibes). It’s surreal working alongside the bay while listening to Emily Henry’s characters paddle across it. I highly recommend if you too find yourself near one of our lakes this summer - or if you just want to be transported.
Our daughter is transitioning to a big girl bed when we move home, and I’ve been slowly shopping for her new bedding. These sheets have a serious cult following (members include some very trusted sources) and they are 40% off if your beds also need a refresh!
My prints on Artfully Walls are 25% off with code SPARKLES. You can add a custom frame, and the quality is quite impressive. If you’ve been shopping this is a great time to purchase!
I’ve been on the waitlist for this skirt which finally restocked. I’m planning to wear with colorful sneaks and oversized button downs or tucked in tees. I’ve also been eyeing this and this, both simple summer solutions, and all three would look great over my fave one-size-fits-all swimwear brand.
I wish I had found this before our recent wedding, but if you’re in need of a chic summer clutch, look no further.
When out for a drink, I always prefer tequila (the low sugar content saves me from hangovers, and I’m a quarter Mexican so I like to claim a natural taste for it). My go-to cocktail lately has been ranch water, I find it so refreshing.
In between illnesses this June, Dave and I travelled to my best friend’s wedding in Martha’s Vineyard. And yes - it’s just as dreamy as the Kennedy family led us to believe. I’ll leave you with a few of my fave snaps from our time there:
I think some MV inspired paintings may be in my *distant* future 
My cherished souvenirs - classic polaroids and the oyster shell name cards I’ll be using as bedside ring holders forever more!
Alright, that’s all for now. If you have questions or just want to say hello, liking this post and sharing a comment really help my newsletter! Plus, it makes me feel seen <3 And I’m always happy to host Q&As in the comments.
Thank you for being here,
x
Katherine