Note from the Atelier August 22, 2026 Hi There Reader... Last week, I wasn't done with my back-to-school shopping. This week, I'm apparently not done thinking about artistic style. In my last newsletter, I wrote about where to look for clues that might help us find our style. This week, I'm taking that thought a little further. We'll look for clues about how it makes us (and hopefully someone else) feel. And speaking of feelings...I spent two days this week playing with gouache, a medium I'd...
14 days ago • 4 min read
Note from the Atelier August 15, 2026 Hi There Reader... Apparently, I'm not quite finished with my back-to-school shopping. I bought a box of 64 crayons today. Did I need crayons? Probably not. Did I need the box with the built-in sharpener? Yes. Yes, I did. I also couldn't resist Crayola's Colors of the World crayons AND colored pencils, with 24 different skin tones in each box. I'm not entirely sure what I'll do with all of them yet, but that's half the fun. And, they were on sale. I...
21 days ago • 5 min read
Note from the Atelier August 8, 2026 Hi There Reader... I love that inspiration has a way of showing up when you least expect it. Sometimes it comes from a recent trip. Sometimes it's a destination I've been dreaming about. Sometimes it's tucked inside the pages of a really good book. And sometimes it's waiting just outside your front door. I'd love to hear what's inspiring you lately. Let me know over at @artfultraveleratelier Happy exploring! August's Best Destinations Photo by n8huckins -...
28 days ago • 3 min read
Note from the Atelier August 1, 2026 Hi There Reader... I have a confession. I love a good shopping trip down the back-to-school supply aisle at my local Meijer. I no longer need notebooks for classes or folders for homework, but I still can't resist a fresh pack of Ticonderoga pencils, a handful of Elmer's glue sticks or a good bendy ruler. I love back to school season! Later this month as students head back to school, I'll be starting nine months of docent training at the Grand Rapids Art...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Note from the Atelier July 25, 2026 Hi There Reader... I just returned from an incredible week exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with my adult daughter. As I sorted through more than 2,200 photos, I realized something: whether I'm traveling or painting, I'm always trying to do the same thing... notice. Sometimes it's noticing a bison sneaking up on us as we were waiting to use a bathroom in a pullout on the side of the road. Sometimes it's the way the early morning light...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Note from the Atelier July 18, 2026 Hi There Reader... One of the things I enjoy most about putting together this newsletter is that it encourages me to keep exploring. Sometimes that means picking up a paintbrush. Sometimes it means picking up a good book. And sometimes it simply means noticing the everyday objects in familiar places. I hope this inspires you to look a little closer, wherever your own journey happens to take you. Happy travels and happy painting! The Art of the Find It was...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Note from the Atelier July 11, 2026 Hi There Reader... This week's newsletter has a decidedly summery feel. Whether you're packing a suitcase, setting up your easel or simply enjoying a slower pace, I hope it inspires you to explore something new. You'll notice that three of this week's four featured destinations are right here in the United States. That wasn't by accident. While we often dream of European villages and faraway adventures, some of the world's most beautiful places are in our...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Note from the Atelier July 4, 2026 Hi There Reader... Happy Fourth of July! As I was thinking about this week's newsletter, it occurred to me that oftentimes, Artful Traveler is inspired by places far from home. We wander through European villages, visit museums in Paris and admire castles in Germany. But this week feels like the perfect time to celebrate the beauty waiting right here in our own backyard. This watercolor was part of last fall's Watercolor Calendar Challenge, where, for each...
2 months ago • 5 min read
Note from the Atelier June 27, 2026 Hi There Reader... I've spent much of this week in the studio experimenting with new (and old!) ideas. Funny how some techniques quietly find their way back into your toolbox, while other realizations seem to appear out of nowhere... even though they've probably been there all along. I hope this week's stories give you something to think about... and perhaps inspire you to look at your own creative journey a little differently. Happy exploring,...
2 months ago • 2 min read