ASHES

MARK YOUR CALENDARS-The ASHES collection is coming. 

Eighteen paintings.

March 18th.

9am.

(And did I mention they’ll come matted and ready to frame? Yep. Get excited.)

Purpose over passion

We have to stop equating passion with success. I hear coach after coach, person after person, telling others that the way to be successful is to just do what you’re most passionate about. 

I disagree. A lot.

Of course being passionate about your job sounds great (do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life, right?) except that’s probably not gonna work if it’s your only reason. It’s not going to work because passions evolve, passions change, and most importantly passions do not always last. Passions best serve hobbies.

Take me for example, I am passionate about baking. I am passionate about traveling, about being outside, about reading, about politics, and a hundred other things. But does that mean I should go start a bakery? No.

No, I should not start a bakery. Not because my food isn’t good, but because it’s just a passion. And the moment you turn a passion into a business-a hobby into a business-some of the passion dies because you get bogged down by the nuances. Instead of being excited about baking someone cookies, I’d be wondering if this particular flavor would sell best, or how much bulk flour costs, or if I’d pass my health inspection. That’s why passion can’t be all you’re relying on.

Now I am not saying that your job or your career can’t be aligned with your passions. You should 100% do something you enjoy. But the idea that the only way you will be wildly successful is if you are incredibly passionate about your job? That’s dangerous. It puts all of your eggs in one basket and sets people up for feelings of failure and depression when “they aren’t really feeling it” or it’s just not working out.

So what should we do instead?

Instead of focusing on passion, let’s focus on PURPOSE. Why are you here? Why were you created? What are you supposed to give back to the world? At it’s very core, what do you want to do with your life?

Some of you might be like “Courtney, I don’t see the difference. My purpose is my passion.” Again, cool. Congratulations. That’s awesome.

But for the majority of people that isn’t the case. And when times get difficult, when you fail, it’s not your passion that keeps you going- it’s the belief in your purpose.

My purpose is to share stories and capture emotions. To make people feel. To make them think. To make them feel seen and connected.

The fact I get to do this through art is phenomenal and mind blowing at times, but that wasn’t some random decision. It’s not just because “Im passionate about art.” I could fulfill my purpose through any number of jobs and careers.

I choose to fulfill my purpose through art, because that is how my brain works and where my talents lie. I just share feelings better with color and line than with words. When I look at the world, my brain automatically starts mixing colors and setting up compositions.  This isn’t intentional. I don’t have to force it. And honestly- sometimes it can be annoying. Sometimes I just want to look at the damn flower without my brain calculating how to create the exact color.

(I also believe we’re given talents that align with our purpose, but that’s a conversation for another day.)

Am I passionate about art? Sure. A lot of the times. Maybe even most of the time. But sometimes, the last place I feel like being is in the studio.

And that’s okay. Because as long as my work ultimately allows me to fulfill my purpose- as long as I feel my paintings are still telling stories- then I’ll keep waking up and doing it- even when it’s hard.

So yea. Stop equating success to passion. And while you’re at it, stop equating success to money. Measure the success of your life, your business, what have you, with how much it fulfills (or allows you to fulfill) your purpose. 

Sticking to black and white for a minute

Promise you’ll see color again soon, but as for right now I’m working with pen and pencil to get my ideas onto paper for an upcoming commission. (I am really excited to see this one -in all its colorful glory - as soon as it’s finished though.)

Some people aren’t fans of sketching, but to me it’s like journaling my thoughts. Throw it all out there and then cull through the pieces to find the good bits.

The Importance of Comic Books

Growing up, I LOVED Calvin and Hobbes. Also loved Betty and Veronica comics (although I always thought they were wasting their talents fighting over a guy. Archie wasn’t worth that.) 

Some people may think comics are juvenile or a “lesser form of art” (if they even think it’s an art form at all) but I’m going to have to disagree. Comics- good ones at least- pack so much information into a tiny square, usually with minimal detail or explanation, so every single line counts. 

If you study comics, you’ll start to recognize patterns- what lines express anger, joy, confusion, how negative space impacts the viewers emotions, and more. 

Those lessons in visual storytelling are essential in all forms of art-comic or otherwise. It’s what makes a person feel like something is “good” or not- even if they can’t put their finger on “why.”

So, long story short, if you’re interested in visual storytelling or comics (or both) read this. It’s witty and much deeper than the subject might suggest.

A special thank you to my friend Hannah Betzel for reminding me yesterday just how much I enjoyed comics

What color is an apple?

At the beginning of class, a watercolor teacher I once had asked us “what color is an apple?” After answers ranging from red to green to yellow, he showed us a painting of a blue apple saying “it’s any color you want it to be.”

I’ve held tight to that sentiment throughout my career-especially when it comes to my commissions. Do you love a flower but it’s pink and you’d rather it be blue or purple or orange? Then I’m gonna paint it blue or purple or orange. Because when it comes to art, it’s what YOU love. There are no rules.

📷 of sketches for a commission I’m working on. If you’re interested in a commission you can read more about them on my website or just drop me a line. (And by line, I mean email. Similar to Gwen Stefani, I screen my phone calls 😉)

Conquering stage fright (and missing in person shows)

Feeling a little nostalgic for in person shows today. I snapped this photo right before my artist talk at the Young Collectors Contemporary in Memphis back in 2019. It was my first “big” artist talk and I still remember the mix of excitement, nerves, and feelings of “WTH am I doing?” rushing over me as they mic-ed me up backstage. It was totally nerve wracking (sharing your work is already a vulnerable act-sharing it on a stage TED talk style just amplifies that) but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Can’t wait until it’s safe to be back with y’all- sharing, talking, and debating art and ideas in person. 

(And because it can never be said enough- I’m forever grateful to Whitney Hardy and the entire YCC team for inviting me to exhibit and speak.)

Inspiration

Most nights I jolt myself awake with inspiration. 

When the room is dark, everything is quiet,  and I am juuusssttt about to fall asleep*, an image, a design, or a color pops into my mind and wakes me right up.

I used to tell myself to just go to sleep because “I’d remember them”, but I never did. So now I jot notes and scribbles on my phone when I’m half asleep. (About 60% of the time I can even understand them! 😆)

*Apparently this state is called hypnagogia. The more you know!

Gifts that make you go uhm, thanks.

Treat yourself. (Or your best buds.)

This Valentines Day, give flowers that won’t die. (Or if you really want to knock it out of the park- give both 😉 I don’t think it’s possible to have too many flowers!)

And while we’re talking about Valentines Day gifts- what’s a Valentines Day gift you’ve gotten (or heard of) that made you go “uhmm thanks?” Mine is cereal. I’ll give that it was my favorite kind so kind of thoughtful, but... it was still cereal.

📷 These mini black and whites (that will totally make someone’s day) are available on my site.

Packing up black and white minis

Packing up black and white Valentine minis todays. I was asked if these are different than the mini illustrations I occasionally release, and no. They aren’t. (I’ll just decorate the packaging for Valentines Day if you’d like ;))

What sets these apart is their size and price point. Because I don’t offer prints, these mini illustrations give people the opportunity to begin collecting my work at a smaller price.

Mini Black and White Ink Valentines for grown ups

Flowers are always a good choice.

As of today, 10 (ten!) one-of-a-kind mini black ink floral illustrations are live in the shop- just in time to give and receive this Valentine’s Day! They’re kind of like the paper Valentine’s you’d swap in elementary school, but way cooler (and way less sticky haha.)

So whether you want to tell someone you’d like to put your tulips together or just send some love to your best bud- I’ve got you (and your Valentine’s Day puns) covered.

Buy the art

When it comes to art, you can’t wait until later. If it makes your heart sing- if you love it-then buy it. Because for artists, inspiration strikes- it doesn’t linger. Styles evolve, artists grow, and eventually that means the art will change too. (And artists can’t easily “go back” and recreate something 100% because every day that passes their technique ages and transforms.)

So if you love it-claim it. (Or in the words of Ariana Grande “I want it, I got it.”) Promise your life will be that much richer for it.

(Related note- if you do fall in love with one of my pieces and are afraid it’ll be gone by the time that you can buy it-just let me know. We can always set up payment installments!)