​ Note from the Atelier ​ Hi There Reader... First things first. Yes, I know, it’s already the middle of December. If you’ve been wondering where this newsletter wandered off to, here’s the honest answer: I returned from my bucket list (solo) trip in mid-November and somehow blinked and it was Thanksgiving and my daughter was home. Then I prepared for and participated in my first two art fairs (more on that below), then Christmas needed tending to, then I celebrated my birthday and then suddenly… here we are. Speaking of birthdays, I want to share something especially meaningful I recently received. A dear friend gave me a birthday gift that simply reads “Hi There” in Scrabble letters (see pic below). If you’ve been around here for a while, you may have noticed I start nearly every note that way: "Hi There...". What you likely don't know is that "Hi There" was the name of my dad's boats - and it was also his kind of trademark greeting. There’s a photo of him below with “Hi There” carved into the snow (this was actually his Christmas card one year in the 50s). Starting my emails this way has always been my quiet nod to him; my way of keeping his voice and spirit close, despite losing him over 30 years ago - way too early! I also want to extend a special welcome to those of you joining from the world of Kelly Scott Fine Art. I’m so glad to have you here as these two parts of my creative life - making art and exploring the world that inspires it - come together in this shared space. I hope you’ll find this newsletter to be a place of inspiration, curiosity and connection. So, as always—Hi there. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m grateful you choose to share this little corner of your day with me. As the year winds down, I wish you safe, happy holidays filled with laughter, love and time well spent with family and friends. Be safe, well and happy, my friends! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Now that I've welcomed my art subscribers to the world of the Artful Traveler, I will use this space to introduce Kelly Scott Fine Art (KSFA) to our Artful Travelers. KSFA is my personal studio where I paint anything and everything, where I explore different mediums and non-travel related subjects, and just plain experiment with a paintbrush! While Artful Traveler is about discovering the world through art, Kelly Scott Fine Art is where those discoveries settle in - through studies and works inspired by everyday moments and the places that linger with me long after I've returned home.

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Putting My Art Out There: Holiday Craft Fairs

At the gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) urging of family, friends and longtime supporters, I recently took the leap and participated in two holiday craft fairs—my first ever. I’ll admit, I went in thinking it would mostly be about logistics and logistics alone; selling my art online at www.kellyscott.art is pretty much just logistics. What I didn’t fully anticipate was the vulnerability of it all: standing behind a table, watching people pause (or not), and letting my work speak for itself - without the buffer of a screen or an email. Equal parts exhilarating, exhausting and eye-opening, the experience gave me a whole new appreciation for artists who do this regularly.

What most people don’t see are the countless decisions that happen long before the first customer walks by. Display stands, easels, tables, lighting, signage and seasonal décor all have to work together to tell a visual story: one that feels cohesive, welcoming and unmistakably me. Every choice becomes a form of self-expression and will reflect on me and my art: will my painting of Michelangelo's David with a guitar ("David: Unplugged") offend anyone? Does the bowl of free candy reflect my brand? What is my brand? All of this only heightens that sense of exposure when my work is finally out in the open. Then there’s the behind-the-scenes logistics: deciding which pieces to offer as originals versus prints, estimating quantities, ordering inventory, pricing everything and hoping you didn’t under- or over-prepare.

And that’s before you even get to the mechanics of selling. Setting up the business version of Venmo for sending cash and Square for credit card payments, making sure Wi-Fi cooperates, having a back-up battery (because electricity may not be readily available), understanding sales tax requirements and tracking inventory in real time all become part of the creative process. It’s a blend of art and entrepreneurship that doesn’t always get talked about—but absolutely deserves recognition.

In the end, those two fairs taught me that sharing art in person is its own act of courage. There’s something deeply personal about watching someone engage with your work—leaning in, asking questions, choosing a piece. I walked away tired but energized, grateful for the encouragement that nudged me to show up, and with a renewed respect for the vulnerability (and bravery) it takes to place your art and a little piece of yourself out in the world.

As you may recall, I spent nearly three weeks last month on a bucket-list adventure - a solo transatlantic trip with a very clear vision: quiet days at sea, long stretches of reflection and plenty of time to paint. I imagined myself tucked into a corner with a sketchbook, watching the horizon shift and letting the rhythm of the ocean do what it does best - slow everything down. And while there was some of that, the journey had other plans.

Along the way, I met several incredible women who were also traveling solo—none of us knew each other when the trip began. One dinner turned into another, and then another, until suddenly our evenings were filled with laughter, stories and that unmistakable feeling of instant camaraderie. By the end of the crossing, we weren’t just fellow travelers—we were already talking about where we might go next, together. So yes, the reflective, paint-filled solo voyage is still very much on my bucket list… but I’m grateful for the reminder that sometimes the most meaningful journeys don't always go as planned.

Don't Miss These Art Related Books

This is the space where I usually highlight global art exhibitions opening this month, but I’m taking a small detour - because I'm also a big reader. Lately, I’ve been reaching for art-related books; and as it happens, they've stayed with me long after I turned the last page. So for December, I thought I'd take this opportunity to recommend a few recent reads that have deepened how I think about viewing art, owning art and making art - in case you have some extra time over the holidays to dive into a good book!

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt The Goldfinch is long, I'm not gonna lie. But it's worth it! It's an immersive novel that follows Theo Decker, a young boy whose life is irrevocably changed after a tragic accident at a New York museum, leaving him in possession of a small but priceless painting. As Theo grows into adulthood, the artwork becomes both a secret burden and a tie to his past. I loved Donna Tartt’s reverence for paintings as both living objects and carriers of memory, and her exploration of how art can haunt us, save us and shape who we become long after we first encounter it. ​ See on Amazon

All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley All the Beauty in the World is a memoir about finding solace in art after loss. After the sudden death of his brother, Patrick Bringley leaves a fast-paced career to become a museum guard at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where spending long hours among masterpieces slowly reshapes his understanding of grief, time, place and beauty. I loved the intimate, behind-the-scenes perspective of the museum and the reminder that art viewing should not be rushed. It's fine, and in fact encouraged, to just sit with art, appreciate it and reflect on its message. ​ See on Amazon

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel The Art Thief is a true story about Stéphane Breitwieser, one of the most prolific art thieves in history, who stole hundreds of works from museums across Europe in the 90s!! (Why did I not recall this??) He traveled to small museums, cathedrals and historic towns throughout Europe, taking advantage of understaffed, ill-secured centuries-old art. Allegedly, he didn't do it for money, rather for the love of the art itself. However, a significant number of stolen pieces were not only were not returned, but were destroyed. ​ See on Amazon

Painting with a Fresh Eye by Alfred C. Chadbourn Painting with a Fresh Eye, published in 1987, is a golden oldie. It's essentially a guide for artists who want to paint loosely and encourages them to truly see before they paint. Rather than focusing on technique alone, Chadbourn emphasizes observation - training the eye to notice value, shape, color and the subtle light patterns that often get overlooked. I read about this book and tracked down a used copy on Amazon; it's a great resource! ​ See on Amazon

December's Best Destinations

Chicago, Illinois City in Lights You're wondering...am i reading this correctly? Yes, I said Chicago! The City sparkles in December with festive markets, ice skating beneath city lights, and a culturally packed calendar. The city feels both grand and intimate during the holiday season. Visit ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo for some free family fun!

Vienna, Austria A Classical Christmas Vienna in December feels like stepping into a storybook fairy tale with historic Christmas markets, classical music filling the air and imperial architecture dusted in winter charm. It’s a season made for slow strolls, warm pastries and artistic inspiration. And don't forget to warm up in a traditional Viennese coffeehouse!

Great Barrier Reef and Queensland, Australia Summer Down Under December is the start of summer in Queensland, making it an ideal time to experience the Great Barrier Reef’s vibrant marine life and tropical landscapes. Warm waters, lush scenery, and long days create a perfect contrast to the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Aspen, Colorado Alpine Holiday Glow December in Aspen is pure winter magic, with fresh snowfall, world-class skiing and the town aglow with holiday lights. It’s a perfect blend of alpine adventure and cozy après-ski charm. Fireside dinners, art galleries and snow-dusted streets make it just as inviting off the slopes as on them.

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