It's been 25 days since I painted. 

 

I know this because I taught my last workshop of 2024 on December first + I haven't painted since. 😱

 

The lines between work + fun get blurred when my business is all about the thing that brings me joy + helps me feel grounded, calm + present. 

 

It means, sometimes, I don't paint because I feel like I need to record the process or take photos. Other times, I will paint, but my work brain cramps my flow.

 

It's difficult to stay in the moment + get into the flow when I'm thinking. The whole reason I've fallen in love with watercolor + doodle as a form of self care is because it allows me to get out of my head. I can give my brain over to a creative task + my brain suddenly doesn't.have.to.work.so.hard. 

 

Ah, that's when it feels good.

So, while my girls were enjoying their gifts + Bear was tinkering in the garage, I disappeared to my studio on Christmas day for some solitude + playtime.

 

It seemed like a better option than crying in the bathtub.

 

With no goal, other than to enjoy the process, I'm better able to tap into my creativity + access flow.

 

 

 

I know that making time for creativity in real time can be challenging. There are so many other distractions to pull us away + keep us busy. 

 

That's why it can help to schedule the time directly onto the calendar. This eliminates the option of you making the choice in the moment—it's already been decided. The calendar says you're makin' art!

 

That's exactly the trick I used for Christmas Day's art making. 

 

The truth is, I wrote most of this newsletter on December 24—the day before I actually made the art. By doing this, I made the commitment to you that I'd make art on Christmas Day. I had to have a photo to share + I didn't want to be a liar. 

 

Calendars + list-making hold a certain magic for accountability, which is why New Year's resolutions can feel so compelling. They give us a moment to pause, reflect + set intentions for what’s next.

 

As you’re thinking about what you want to continue doing, what you'd like to stop doing + what you desire to begin in 2025, I invite you to ask: How does creativity fit into this picture? 

 

Whether it’s a daily doodle, a weekly painting session, or pausing to arrange your markers in color order, creativity has a way of grounding us + bringing joy into our lives.

 

 

As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for each of you—for reading this newsletter, showing up for workshops + supporting my online shop. Your presence makes this work meaningful + I look forward to creating more joy-filled moments together in the year ahead!

 

 

Joining one of my workshops is a fantastic way to carve out time for creativity + make it a priority. I’m excited to share that I’ve already got a few workshops lined up for 2025, including a special collaboration I’m especially pumped about: The Sacred Spiral: Your Mandala for 2025 on January 23.

 

Will you be there?

Creative Invitation: ✨ Set Your Color Intentions for the New Year! ✨

 

Topic: Make 2025 a creative year by taking a workshop with me

 

Worth Sharing + Studio Snapshot

This year, I’m inviting you to create a palette of colors that speaks to the energy, intentions + hopes you’re bringing into 2025. I’ve chosen colors that remind me of the qualities I want to carry forward—calm, growth, creativity + joy. 🎨💫

 

💡 Here’s how to set your own color palette:

🌈 Let’s make 2025 a year full of color, meaning + beautiful moments. 

Hearty Tradition | We have a tradition of making homemade pasta for Christmas. My husband leads with the pasta + I support by making this Crockpot Beef Short Rib Ragu. I love that I can get the sauce going in the crockpot earlier in the day + stay hands off in the kitchen come dinner time.

 

Art Journal | I really enjoyed the journal-style format of Drawn: The Art of Ascent. While I’m not as intense an adventurer as the author, I share a love for the outdoors + was captivated by how this book weaves together art + adventure. I was especially fascinated by how the story came to life—using art + journaling from his four-year journey, which took him in all four cardinal directions from his home, to create a book that beautifully chronicles his experiences.

This is what came from my painting time on Christmas Day. I worked on several pieces, drawing inspiration from my journal + my interpretation of sacred geometry. I’m excited to add doodles to the pieces on the left + right + to see how the center piece evolves from here—it’s actually on real watercolor paper this time, not just in a sketchbook!

January 23 | 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 
Easel, Englewood, CO

 

 

Feb 23 | Discovering Your Intuitive Colors | Boulder, CO
*Limited Availability: 2 spots left

April 13 | Watercolor Brush Basics - online |  Virtual

 

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Thanks for reading this week's edition of The Art of Joy. If you're new here—Hiya! I'm Lexis, artist + educator behind Lexisworks. I send emails every other Thursday to help you connect to Creative Self so you feel more grounded, calm + present. 
I'd love for you to stick around.