Person writing in a notebook with a pen on a white desk.

Inside the Blog

Thoughts and stories written by the artist
Climbing Together
Climbing Together
Some pieces begin with a laugh — the kind that catches you off guard and stays with you long after the night ends. "With You" started there: at a table... Read more...
Artist Crystal Clarke with her daughter
Crystal Clarke: A Journey of Healing Through Art and Advocacy
From the depths of personal struggle to the heights of artistic expression, discover how one artist transformed pain into purpose. Through the delicate strokes of pastel and the powerful presence... Read more...
The Beginning Stage
The Beginning Stage
Let's get one thing out of the way.Without a reference photo, my drawings look like bad cartoons.There. I said it.Not the charming, nostalgic kind of cartoons either — more like... Read more...
When Art Finds It's Forever Home
When Art Finds It's Forever Home
Some pieces fly off the wall.They speak so clearly, so loudly, that someone sees them and just knows—that one. That’s the one.And if you’re lucky, you get to witness the... Read more...
The Cut
The Cut
It came to me late one night, as these ideas often do. I had to cut it.There was too much blank space.Oh goodness, I got nervous.One of my favourite things... Read more...
I Quit
I Quit
Handing over the written notice to my beloved boss did two things immediately.  Instant fear - what was I thinking? The economy is hard. Gas and food prices keep increasing. How many people will... Read more...
From Tan Lines to Turbulence
My Family's First Flight VacationWe're back from our first 'flight' family vacation! I hope you didn't miss me too much while I was away . . . You did notice I was away, right? Right?! Well, I missed you!The weather was magnificent, the food delicious, and the travel was about what you would expect with a three-year-old. Honestly, she did incredible. Braving the flight like it was nothing and swimming her way into bliss! When it came to sleeping, and the last few hours on the flight home we have... Read more...
The Good, the Bad, and the Learning
The Good, the Bad, and the Learning
Oh, sweet mother of pearl, the year is almost over. Yup, it's officially true - the older you get, the faster the time goes. I can vouch for it. Often, this can... Read more...
The Christmas Tree Rule
The Christmas Tree Rule
Do you know that there's a rule?Yes, a rule! A rule that if you live with someone else, you have to decorate the Christmas tree TOGETHER.Anyway, I clearly relapsed on... Read more...
The Wholesale Experience - Day Two
The Wholesale Experience - Day Two
Did you hear me? I'm pretty sure you did!When I started jumping for joy, where my smile overtook my entire face and where I contemplated a cartwheel but decided I... Read more...
The Wholesale Experience - Day One
The Wholesale Experience - Day One
Before the sun shone gently through the trees, our eyes were open knowing today was the first day filled with newness. Five minutes later, when the second alarm went off,... Read more...
Balance
Balance
IT'S NOT WHAT I THOUGHTI see you thinking, "Here's another post about someone preaching about this unreachable goal of balance." This post is not about that. It is about discovering... Read more...