Note from the Atelier ​ Hi There Reader... Happy New Year! As we begin again, I want to start, where I always try to start, with gratitude: for the Artful Traveler community and the Kelly Scott Fine Art community, for the space to create and reflect and for the chance to set intentions with a little more clarity than last year. This season always invites both looking back and looking forward, and I’ve been doing a fair amount of both lately. If I’m being honest, the biggest thing that didn’t work for me last year was a lack of structure. Turns out, too much free time is not productive or healthy for me. I have my hands in a lot of different pots (which I actually love and thrive on), but without real priorities, I can quickly turn into that dog who sees the squirrel… then the next squirrel… and then another. So this year, I’m reigning myself in! (Because I love a good plan,) I’ve created a framework for myself with a north star, quarterly priorities, monthly growth areas and a daily rhythm that works for me; it reserves time for painting, for planning, for health, for play and for all the necessary (but unglamorous) life tasks. I even built in a preferred grocery-shopping day, because gosh darn it, I'd sure like to remember to take advantage of that senior discount day. What I love most about this new structure is that it still leaves plenty of room for what nourishes me: reading for my now three book clubs, creative exploration and unstructured thinking time. The beauty of this is I can do it from anywhere...so travel is always an option! Read. Paint. Plan. Repeat. Sounds pretty good to me. And with that foundation in place, I’m excited to share what’s coming next. Keep an eye out for Paint the Postcards, a small-format, habit-friendly way to make creativity part of everyday life. To a new year with fewer squirrels. Cheers!

Planning for the Memories I Want to Make

As I start thinking about the year ahead, I always come back to an approach to annual planning that really resonates with me - one I first learned from Jesse Itzler. I was recently telling someone about him and, in the process, confidently said he was married to the Skims founder… which was not correct. He’s married to the Spanx founder (Skims... Spanx... whatever... same thing). In any case, Jesse’s philosophy sticks with me because it focuses on creating joy and making memories.

At the heart of his approach are a few simple ideas:

1. First are MOGIs, “Moments Of Genuine Impact”, the year-defining accomplishments you’ll still remember years from now.
2. Then there’s Kevin’s Rule: every sixty days, you schedule one entirely new experience... something you’ve never done before. Doesn't have to be big or expensive, just something you've never done.
3. Add to that one winning habit per quarter. That's four new habits in a year! (Math can be tricky.)
4. And my favorite rule of all: schedule fun first!

It’s a framework that feels especially fitting for a creative life: play and new experiences aren’t distractions… they’re the point! And be intentional about making memories.

I will also share that I love my Commit 30 Planner. I’ve been using it for a number of years now and it’s become my go-to tool for goal setting and planning. It's especially useful for keeping personal and professional goals clearly (and intentionally) separate. It also helps me zoom out to the big picture while still staying grounded in what matters today. And although I like a good paper calendar, I don’t use it for scheduling (my phone has that covered 😉); this planner is all about focus and commitment.

After all of this, if I can look back next year and smile, I'll know I planned well.

Twelve Weeks to Creative Clarity

This month I’m also stepping into something that’s been sitting patiently on my shelf for years: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I've wanted to do this for a long time, but have been intimidated by the writing and activities. I decided an online group might be perfect for this. So, I’m participating in this three-month book club with artist Aimee Erickson to read and actually do the activities and exercises, and in a plot twist that feels very on-brand for me, I’m co-facilitating one of the clusters!

If you’re not familiar, The Artist’s Way is a twelve-week journey designed to help people recover and deepen their creativity, not by producing more, but by clearing the mental clutter, fear and self-doubt that so often block it. Through reflective writing, practical exercises and tools like Morning Pages and Artist Dates, the book invites you to reconnect with curiosity, intuition and creative trust.

I'm excited to get started and will be sharing my progress and insights along the way. Let me know if you've read it! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Reply to this email or reach me here.

The Painting that Stopped Me Cold, Twice

Just this weekend, I was flipping thru the current International Artist magazine (yes, I still get way too many actual magazines mailed to my house) and I flipped the page to find a two page spread on Amy Werntz and her jaw-dropping painting, Carlyla. I couldn't believe it.

I first stumbled upon Carlyla last summer while visiting the Muskegon Museum of Art. I was viewing the Bennett exhibition and one painting stopped me cold in my tracks: it was Amy Werntz' Carlyla. This magnificent piece literally held me still while time stopped; I studied every vein, every wrinkle, every brushstroke. There was something deeply human in this work that made it impossible to rush past, it tugged at my emotions in a way I hadn't experienced in a long time. I left the gallery genuinely in awe, knowing it was a painting that would stay with me long after the visit.

As it turns out, Amy won the 2025 Bennett Prize for Carlyla, and deservedly so! As part of the award, Amy, who is from Dallas, will return to the Muskegon Museum of Art in 2027 for a solo exhibition of new work, giving audiences the chance to see how her work evolves.

This is a reminder that sometimes the paintings that stop us in our tracks are quietly announcing something much bigger to come. I can't wait to see what Amy has in store for us next year!

The Bennett Prize, one of the largest art prizes dedicated to women figurative painters, partners with the Muskegon Museum of Art in part because of its founders’ deep ties to West Michigan and the museum's commitment to making world-class figurative art accessible outside major coastal cities.

Art Exhibitions Opening in January

The Holocaust & Art as Resistance Ferris Fine Art Gallery, Big Rapids, MI The powerful traveling exhibition The Holocaust & Art as Resistance offers visitors a chance to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in history through both historical documentation and artistic expression. Developed by the Zekelman Holocaust Center, the show combines archival photographs and interpretive texts with artwork created under conditions of persecution, highlighting how creativity served as an act of survival and defiance. It’s a compelling reminder of art’s enduring capacity to testify, resist, and affirm humanity even in the face of oppression. Runs January 5-23, 2026.

The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today features 35 new portraits by contemporary artists selected from the acclaimed Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. It’s a compelling survey of how artists are reimagining portraiture in America today. Opens January 24, 2026

LA Art Show LA Convention Center - West Hall The LA Art Show—Los Angeles’ largest and longest-running international art fair—returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center, featuring more than 90 galleries and museums from around the world presenting painting, sculpture, photography, installation and performance art. It’s a vibrant kickoff to the new year in contemporary art and global creativity. Runs January 7-11, 2026

At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs National Museum of African American History and Culture Washington, D.C. At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at Historically Black Colleges and Universities explores how HBCUs preserve and shape Black artistic and cultural heritage through more than 100 objects from partner collections, including academic programs, archives, murals, and sculpture. The exhibition highlights the dynamic role these institutions play in both remembering the past and inspiring the future. ​ Runs January 16 - July 19, 2026

Lessons in Snow from Monet's Magpie

One of my all-time favorite paintings is Claude Monet’s The Magpie. I love the peacefulness. I love the light. I love the snow. And what I love most about the snow is how little actual white there is; Monet lets the snow breathe with soft blues, lavenders and warm creams, especially in the shadows cast across the field. The snow feels quiet and luminous rather than stark, and the single dark figure of the magpie gives the entire scene focus and scale.

The lesson here is that painting snow is less about white paint and more about paying attention. Snow is a master reflector, constantly borrowing color from the sky, the sun and everything around it. In the early morning, snow often carries cool violets and soft blues in the shadows, with pale peach or lemon highlights where the low sun grazes the surface. At midday, when the sun is high and direct, snow appears brighter and cleaner; highlights lean toward warm whites or very light yellows, while shadows compress into cooler blue-grays. By evening, everything shifts again: long shadows stretch across the ground, picking up deeper blues and purples, while the lit areas warm dramatically with pinks, corals and soft golds.

Color is not the only consideration; texture is also important. To make snow look crisp, lean into sharper value contrasts and firmer edges. Use cleaner, cooler highlights against clearly defined shadow shapes and avoid over-blending; crisp snow often appears faceted, especially in bright light or cold conditions. For fluffy snow, soften your transitions and reduce contrast slightly. Let edges blur and values merge gently, suggesting air pockets and softness rather than structure. A light scumble or dry-brush over darker underlayers can create that powdery, freshly fallen effect.

Whatever you do, resist the urge to paint it straight from the tube of Titanium White!

January's Best Destinations

Cape Town, South Africa Summer in Full January is peak summer in Cape Town, when long, sunlit days are perfect for beaches, coastal drives and time in the nearby vineyards. The city feels vibrant and expansive, with outdoor living, dramatic landscapes and fresh seasonal energy everywhere you look.

Palm Springs, California Desert Ease January is prime time in Palm Springs, when crisp desert light and warm days create the perfect winter escape. It’s a season made for mid-century architecture, leisurely mornings, and an unhurried, sun-soaked calm.

Buenos Aires, Argentina Rhythm and Energy Buenos Aires comes alive in January with warm evenings made for late dinners, sidewalk cafés, and spontaneous tango. The city’s cultural pulse: art, music and conversation, feels especially rich under summer skies.

Marrakech, Morocco Markets and Light Marrakech shines in January with mild, comfortable days ideal for wandering souks, gardens and tiled courtyards. The cooler temperatures let the city’s colors, textures and rhythms take center stage without the intensity of summer heat.

Small Steps. Big Discoveries.

#PaintThePostcard

As we kick off a new year, I’m excited to introduce Paint the Postcard, a simple, sustainable way to build a creative habit without overwhelm. This series is all about postcard-sized paintings inspired by places near and far, designed to fit easily into busy lives while still offering the satisfaction of finishing something meaningful. Small format, clear focus and consistent practice, because sometimes the best way to start (or restart) a creative routine is one small painting at a time.

Sign up below and we'll send you a free reference image every week so you can #PaintThePostcard in any medium you choose!

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