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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!

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The Art of the Find

It was 1985. I was 22 years old, living on an entry-level salary. My first apartment after college was at the corner of State and Chestnut in Chicago.

And right across the street was a little shop called Chiasso.

Part art gallery, part curiosity shop, it was filled with beautiful objects. It was a fancy store for a 22 year old and I had no business being there, but I went anyway. I loved wandering around. I loved the handmade ceramics, the funky sculptures, the eclectic textiles and the whimsical paintings that didn't really fit into any one neat little category. Most days I left empty-handed, but never empty. My well was full, as Julia Cameron would say.

Every now and then, though, I'd bring home a small treasure.

One was a ceramic bowl woven to look like basketry. It sat atop a stack of art books on my coffee table for years. I now have it tucked safely away in my basement.

Another favorite is a metal sculpture of flowers that is in my living room to this day. The leaves are slightly bendable, so whenever the windows are open and a breeze comes through, they sway.

A few years ago I stumbled upon a bouquet of handmade felt flowers while wandering through Aarhus, Denmark. They now live in a fun brass vase shaped like a pair of boots. Every time I walk past them, I think of that trip and the joy of finding something I never knew I was looking for (or needed!).

Over the years, those little discoveries have become some of my favorite things.

I've realized that I'm always searching for those kinds of objects. Not expensive things. Not trendy things. Just pieces that catch my eye and somehow insist on coming home with me.

They become part of my everyday life. They spark conversations. They remind me of places I've been and moments I would have likely forgotten.

When you travel, museums are wonderful. So are the famous landmarks.

But don't overlook the little gallery tucked down a side street. Or the artist selling her paintings along the river. Or the tiny shop where everything is made by hand.

You may not buy anything at all. Or you may stumble across something that will quietly accompany you for the next forty years.

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This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through US History By Beverly Gage Artful Rating: 4 Brushstrokes​ 🎨🎨🎨🎨

I first learned about This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through US History while watching the author Beverly Gage speak as part of the Smithsonian Associates lecture series. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I've found myself wanting to dig a little deeper into our country's (his)story. Not just the dates and famous events we all learned about in school, but the lesser-known places, people and stories that have shaped who we are. Gage's presentation intrigued me enough that I immediately added the book to my reading list.

Rather than telling America's story chronologically, Gage takes readers on a road trip across the country, uncovering a different chapter of our shared history with each stop. Along the way, she visits fascinating but often overlooked historic sites and weaves together the people and events that connect one destination to the next. I especially enjoyed those lesser-known stories. They made history feel more personal and gave me a deeper appreciation for the places themselves.

If you're interested in the United States, its history and the stories behind the landmarks, I think you'll enjoy this book. It isn't a traditional history book, and that's what makes it enjoyable. I'd happily give it 4 Brushstrokes.

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