let's hold hands.

a few things i love most about saturdays are waking up slowly. french toast topped with strawberries. exploring new hiking trails with the hubby. holding hands. sharing dreams/goals/ideas. this is exactly what we did today, and it was as close to perfect as one can get.

signs of spring are all around and i just can't get enough! the clean and sweet smells, pops of color, and singing birds.

after our hike we assembled the necessary supplies for a picnic by the lake. 

saturday, i love you so. 

xxo

dear girl

dear girl.

thank you for shining your light on the world.

you are important. loved. beautiful. worthy.

please remember that.

xxo

and the winner is.....!

a big THANK YOU for everyone who participated in the latest giveaway.

i appreciate each one of you <3.

 congrats to mylee card- you are the winner!

this baby is on the way. :)

happy tuesday, friends!

xxo

original art GIVEAWAY!

i've found myself needing extra doses of courage this week,

and i wondered if any of YOU might be needing some courage, too?

8x10 original mixed media on canvas

that's right, i'm giving this baby away to one of you!


all you need to do is:

be a follower of the turquoise paintbrush

and leave a note here! your name will be entered into the drawing.

extra entries (get your name in the hat more than once!):

"like" Mary Wangerin Artwork on Facebook!

mention this post on your blog, Facebook, or pinterest!

simple as that:)

i'll announce the winner april 24.

good luck!  

xxo

fate

this quote by van gogh is simply the best: "im not an adventurer by choice, but by fate". yes!

sometimes i wonder if i would feel more contentment in my life if i were not a major wanderlust. don't get me wrong - i looove being home. nesting. i love the calm and quiet that comes with living in the country. but there is always a little voice whispering to me, to branch out. to see this wonderfully amazing world we live in.



my girlfriend megan just recently packed up and moved to montana with her boyfriend (from portland, or!). talk about a serious adventure. i can just imagine them with their u-haul, listening to tunes and feeling the magic of the open road. i guess you could say im living vicariously through them?

happy tuesday, friends!

xxo

every. day

inspired by my wonderful, supporting, amazing mother. i truly feel so blessed to have her in my life.

she celebrates with me, gives gentle reminders, encourages, loves unconditionally. this list goes on.  

and, what perfect timing for mothers day. 

prints available here!

a few friends have purchased this for their children's nurserys, too - what a great idea!

happy thursday!

xxo 

snail mail

i love the excitement of opening up the mail box to find a fun note inside. it sure beats the type of mail you can always count on: bills (yuck!). last weekend i spent a little time hand crafting a few thank-you notes to send out! this one is my favorite. made with recycled cardboard, stamps, and pretty papers.

happy wednesday, friends!

xxo

keep me in the light

monday + thrifted floral dress + sunshine + relaxing weekend = <3. 

this last weekend felt like absolute heaven. heaven! i believe it was due to a mixture of glorious weather, no travel plans, studio time, and a visit from the parents (happy easter weekend!).

late sunday afternoon the hubby and i went exploring the beautiful Shelburn Falls near Mill City. Soo unbelievably gorgeous. We loved the fact that there were hardly any other people out and about. The winding path leading to the falls was lined with blooming trees in white with a lovely, fresh fragrance. Plus, we saw a hawk! (we think this is my spirit animal. i see one almost daily.)

it was so nice to get out and adventure with the hubby. so often it feels like we do the same old thing - which usually involves me painting late into the night and him watching netflix. yep, i know this makes us sound like an old married couple!

how was your weekend?

xxo

thoughts on worthiness

most often, you will find me making use of every minute of every day. before and after my day job is when the magic happens (aka creating art); and over time i have built up a stamina that helps turn on my creativity when i have some extra moments in the studio.

but every so often, life requires me to slow down. take a deep breath. take a break. evaluate. compare. during these times i drive myself crazy with feelings of self doubt. that i'm not good enough. not creating enough. not learning photoshop quick enough. that i'll disappoint people with my artwork.

this is an awful downward spiral that can last as long as you let it stay. and because these feelings have somehow crept into my brain today, i am off to soak up some sunshine. breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birdies, and practice positivity. because we are all worthy of our dreams.

xxo

filling my walls with goodness

i first stumbled upon the amazing work of Mae Chevrette about a year ago. the hubby and i had just moved to mill city. i was unemployed (and having the time of my life!), and my relationship with acrylic paint, watercolors, papers, etc etc. was still very new.

while browsing on etsy i saw this print. it felt like my heart literally stopped beating! i loved the layers. drips and drops of paint. the combination of fonts were magic to my eyes. it was really in this moment it became clear to me i wanted to be an artist. to bring beauty and meaning into the world.

i am so excited to (finally) have this beauty in my home! to me, it is much much more than a piece of art. it instantly takes me back to my beginning days as a new artist. it reminds me of how far i've come, gently reminds me i still have a long journey ahead.

xxo



hippy love



i spent the majority of this last weekend painting in a darling attic studio. listening to the rain beat down on the roof top, and drinking strong coffee. it was magic!

this is the latest painting! my mind is stuck on the idea of a free spirit lately...i am hearing whispers to let go. enjoy moments. walk in nature. seek adventure. on and on.

prints are available here, friends!

xxo