I can't believe it's been ten years already. Ten years since I picked up my first DSLR camera. It was a special gift, one that was Heaven sent just three months after my dad's passing. He wanted to surprise me and boy did it ever. When I have my camera in hand, I find myself transported into a of world quiet stillness. I feel like a hunter, but a hunter in the sense of a life-giving, Truth-bearing Beauty. These moments that take my breath away, I know they are Heaven-sent as well. Not every photograph I take holds this kind of meaning. However, the ones that do fill my heart and soul with purpose, passion, and joy. They help me to see and experience the goodness and Beauty of God in my everyday...if I am open to receiving them. Last week I sat down and within two hours I had this guide written. I'm so excited to share it with you! My greatest hope is that you find peace, healing, and joy for yourself. We all are healing from something or have something we are walking through. Maybe things we don't share with others and that's ok. But the One who does know all, also knows what will bring your heart and soul peace. Now, more than ever, I would love for you to feel confident and inspired by the photos that you take. This photography life has filled my life with purpose, hope, and Beauty in the hardest of times and at the most beautiful of times. It truly is a gift, one that I can't wait to share with you. One where we can meet up and chat about all things photography, faith, and even creative fun! Are you in? :) It's autumn here in Wisconsin, and it's the perfect time to grab your camera- any camera- and seek Beauty in your world. What you find inspiring and beautiful - take those photos! Don't worry, I have ideas for what you can do with all of the photos, but that is for another day. For today, this weekend, this month... give yourself permission to be Captivated by Beauty . I promise you, it is life-changing. Click the image below to download and print your copy today!! PS - Join us in my Facebook group where you can share your images. We'd love to see!

Creativity comes from a place of wonder and inspiration. I believe we also have a quiet and deep desire for purpose and beauty in our daily lives. None of this can be forced. It must be nurtured - creativity, purpose, beauty, you, and the artist within. When I speak of nurturing, I’m referring to the ways you invite peace, joy, calm, relaxation, and inspiration, (just to name a few) into your presence. In order for your creativity to come from that authentic place within, you need to allow yourself the grace in which you are able to experience and nurture that creative soul discerning her way to the forefront of your being. This is important because if you don’t, then you struggle with feelings of inadequacy and perfectionism. Those two are going to show up no matter what. However, what I want more than anything is for that part of your journey to be the least of your focus right now. Taking care of you and supporting the artist within is a sacred calling. It’s one we’ve all been given in one way or another. Beautiful things begin to happen when you follow the wonder and inspiration. To continue reading, download your free guide below.

*****{CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE SAMPLE SET}***** I've rediscovered my love for writing. I spent a few years somewhat recoiled by all things life; sometimes the words are hard to find in the midst of the storms. One thing I always go back to... where I find a deeper connection or a better understanding of myself, of living this one precious life well, of understanding matters of faith and Who's I am... it is pouring words out onto the page. This practice frees the mind up of a little bandwidth and causes me to get out of my head. We look for titles all of the time; it's how we make sense of our world, people, and places. In all honesty, not one of us is defined by just one title. Thank God! For me, as far as how I want to show up in the world and share parts of my story to help you fully embrace yours, I need to not try and stuff myself into a lane that isn't fully my own. I think as creatives we all do this to a point, until we don't. Eventually, what makes us come alive and excited to get out of bed in the morning and create will find its way to us. It's been right in front of me all along... I am a photographer, an artist, and a writer . In order to feel fully alive and to honor the various parts of my creativity in genuine and authentic ways I need to allow all three access to my soul. One of the ways I've embraced my love for writing is by adding 'wallpaper' to my journals. I have thousands if not tens of thousands of photographs on hard drives. As with any art form, there are the images that are just gorgeous and there are the images that I took along the way before I found that amazing shot. They deserve to be shared as well...put out into the world to inspire, to hold meaningful and beautiful words, prayers, and creativity. I'm super excited to share with you my Journal Wallpaper. Here are some of the ways you can use the images: Adhere them in your journal before or after writing on them Use them as special pages to hold your prayers, praise, beautiful words, scripture, and quotes. Use different color inks such as white or gel pens. They are excellent for collage and journal fodder. Use them to decorate part of your page and add other elements to the pages as well such as your own photographs, stickers, dried flowers, or other embellishments. They would make for some pretty junk journals. There is a facet of journaling called junk journaling (just in case you're new to all things journaling). I personally have a hard time calling it that, but I get where the term came from. It's when you take various forms of paper media and repurpose them. Things such as junk mail, cereal boxes, old books, lace, fabric, etc. You then add your own creativity to the journal. Most of the time the creations are just beautiful! They are made from junk or items that could be pitched and are given a new life through creativity. Use them as backgrounds for scrapbooking. I know not too many people actually scrapbook anymore with the digital world being what it is today. However, if you're one of those old souls (term of endearment) that love to create books and add your memories and photographs to the pages, my journal wallpaper will add a special touch of beauty. Most of all, enjoy, have fun and let the words and prayers flow! *****{CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR YOUR FREE SAMPLE SET}***** Visit my store for complete and current listings of journal wallpaper options.

{I am pulling this post out of the archives from April of 2020.} :) {Click Image to Download your FREE 5"x7" print.} What’s the saying, ” beauty is in the eye of the beholder?” When I refer to beauty, I’m pointing to the Divine. Let me explain a little more. I could spend hours sharing with you how grace and beauty have filled my life with glimpses of hope, joy, and purpose. It’s been twenty-plus years of “one thing after another” for my health, my husband’s health, and the situations we’ve found ourselves in that were completely out of our control, and at times traumatic. Yet, here I am to say we’ve made it through, Praise God. I know for me, I’ve made it through because somewhere along the way my heart was convicted to keep my focus on Jesus. Never-mind the chronic pain, brain surgery, debilitating pain, another brain surgery, seventeen surgeries for me (none of which were on my brain), breast cancer diagnosed twice within 18 months, and losing sixteen years of the life we had built (at that time) to a moldy house, which has forever changed my health. This has been the past eighteen years my friends. My creative journey started as a way for me to cope with chronic pain from a car accident that happened over twenty years ago. Something that started out as debilitating has taken me on such a journey of awe and discovery. Creativity for me has always been about healing. I want more than anything to encourage and enable you to experience the beauty that is part of your everyday life and express it creatively. My love of beauty started with a gratitude journal after months of agony following that car accident I mentioned above. Pain and depression tried to monopolize my days and quite honestly take over my life. So, I began writing out five things I was grateful for each day. The changes in my heart were almost immediate. Physically, things took quite a bit longer. However, I added purpose to my days, which was to find and document what I found as a blessing or beautiful and to also create in some way every single day, if possible. I documented with words and images and I cut and pasted photographs and papers together. Eventually, this led to my rekindled creative joy from high school – photography. One afternoon in 2014, while playing with a borrowed DSLR for the first time, the moment below occurred. When that monarch fluttered into my viewfinder and landed, allowing me to capture him sitting there so gracefully, it took my breath away. I was completely in awe. It was at that moment that I connected the action of taking that photograph with the experience of … {When you download the image you'll learn a little more about how nurturing and healing this image is for me personally. } Beauty is far beyond the physical, beyond the things we can see. While seeing is an amazing gift that enhances our sense of it, beauty is felt. It’s an experience, an invitation to notice the Divine in our lives. Beauty is: – in photographs of people, places, memories, moments, and the dreams of our future. Some of these are enhanced by the feelings they invoke, supporting my thought that beauty is more than the eye can see. – in art. We see, touch, and experience art in many ways and on many levels. Sometimes art isn’t meant to be pretty or beautiful, but to get a response or emotion, sometimes even a negative one. It’s the opposite of beauty, which is a positive response. The standard of measure and comparison begins or ends with beauty and our reaction, whether it’s conscious or not. – in the process of creating. Whether it’s art, photographs, a meal, a home, a card, joy, laughter, beauty is part of creating on various levels. – in our words, thoughts, actions, moments, laughter, sadness, emotions, fear, kindness, unconditional love, love of others, love of self, the music that we make, or the music that moves us. I’m writing this post in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The number of things that are now much more meaningful and beautiful than before is immeasurable. However, I’m going to share a few thoughts below. Imagine – – a hug from a friend, a sister, a cousin, a neighbor, a brother, a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, a niece, a nephew, a granddaughter, or a grandson. – going out for a cup of coffee or tea in a quaint little cafe. – going for a walk in your favorite park or garden. – going camping and being out in nature. – sharing a smile with a stranger. – showing kindness to a stranger, just because we’re all human and we need a little extra love and kindness right now. – sharing laughter with a group of friends or family. – sharing a meal out in your favorite restaurant. Every single one of these last items I mentioned is not based on just something we see. The beauty is in the moments, the experiences, the joy, the laughter, the hope, the normalcy. It is from our reservoir of noticing and documenting the beauty that we enrich not only our life but the lives of those we love and care for. My hope and my purpose is to encourage and share the ways in which we may behold, embrace, experience, and share beauty; through all aspects of our creativity, our art, and our lives. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder and right now all of the world needs each one of us to notice, share, and create from the beauty that is gifted to us each day. Part of the experience is slowing down and taking notice. Would you agree that for most of us, we’ve been forced to slow life way down? May you be encouraged to behold the beauty in your day-to-day, embrace it, and allow it to fill your days with purpose. PS – It is my joy to share a 5"x7" copy of the butterfly image below as a reminder to seek beauty. You may download it by clicking on the image. May it be a simple reminder to stop and notice the beauty in the everyday.

I collect what I find beautiful. The easiest way for me to do this is with my camera. There are some moments when a photograph really excites me. At times, I see glimpses of Glory in how light dances or reflects. Other times, I witness slow and beautiful Grace freezing, for just a second, as I snap the photo. Over the past few years, photography has been my greatest artistic expression and my creative therapy. I love to head out into nature, spend time with God admiring His creation, and capture that which I see as beautiful. It’s something intuitive, I guess. I’ve also searched for ways to express some of what I see from behind the camera in other creative outlets. Of course, I can share them on Instagram, sell prints, and fill hard drives. Yet, my creative spirit felt there had to be more. More for me to do and more for the photos I’ve created as well. In addition to photography, I’m inspired by many, many things. Here are just a few: -photographs by others – color -light -water -vintage anything -beautiful papers -textiles -wax -cold wax -encaustic wax – plaster -rust -words -cats -smiles -flowers -sunsets -sunrise -rocks -beach -water -driftwood -dried flowers -wherever there is love -wherever there is joy -winter photographs -watercolors -acrylic ink -gel pens -sparkle/shimmer -smooth writing pens -Japanese paper – oh the world of paper -washi tape -heavy body paint -oil paint Of course, this list is by no means all inclusive! Now, to read the above list, it looks as if I am all over the place. I am. I’ve struggled with this being somewhat of a hindrance to my creativity. Why can’t I just pick that one thing and move forward with it as my creative muse; and be fulfilled by it? Some people tell me my photographs are beautiful. Thank you. I’m honored that they can touch your heart with beauty. For some of them, when I took it, Jesus touched my heart in that moment by sharing that glimpse of grace and beauty with me. I love to share those images. This is where my creative process begins. I capture and I collect. I collect beauty, memories, inspiration, words, feelings, emotions, sentiments, Truth, and oh my goodness – the art supplies! I collect because deep within me are bits of experiences, blessings, love, joy, hope, and victory that long to be expressed in some way. It is my absolute joy and life’s purpose to bring Glory to God through the creative process. This journey began over 20 years ago as a result of a car accident that left me in debilitating, life-altering pain. God answered my prayer for relief and purpose and led me towards all things faithful and creatively beautiful. So my dear friend, if you long to create, to explore, to express some of what is inside of you, start by collecting. Whatever catches your eye, whatever inspires you, collect it somehow. Even if you’re drawn to something and don’t understand why, still collect it. Photograph it, write it down, cut it out, sketch it, etc. Save it. This process is magical, really. The simple and the magnificent details, that are indeed woven into the fabric of our very existence, awaits our discovery. After you have a bit of an accumulation, begin to gather your collection into various categories. Beautiful little piles of images, baskets of fabric and textiles, color snippets that speak to your soul, etc. As you spend time collecting, trust this one thing. That which you find beautiful is an invitation to discover more about Jesus, His grace, and beauty in your life. It will also take you on a journey to discover so much more about yourself. I know it sounds so simple and it really is. These moments touch our hearts and touch our souls as they give us purpose to embrace exactly who Jesus is and who we are in Him. As we invite Him into our creative process, guess what happens? It becomes a form of devotion. There is no inspiration I’d rather have than time with Jesus and expressing it in various ways. I also must point out that not every moment creating is going to manifest in such beautiful and moving ways. There are days I shoot lousy photographs and make ugly art. Without the ugly and the lousy, beauty and inspiration would cease to exist. They indeed go hand in hand and it’s a process we must work through. Just be sure to do so with kindness and grace towards yourself. Some sessions are just for fun and discovery, some are to process and cope, and others are just because, and for some I'm happy with the process as well as the end product. The process of collecting, of gathering is just the beginning of something beautiful and amazing. As artists, we will always collect and gather, just be careful to not only collect and gather. Try something new, take a course, and set an intention of allowing yourself creative time each day. You’ll be glad you did, for it will allow more and more fragments of beauty to fill your life.

Are you looking for guidance to grow as an artist and creative person?  Are you unsure of what your creative gifts may be and are looking for how to best discern and embrace them? Are the questions of what to do first or next keeping you stuck or have you  just not found your groove yet? Would you like some direction on how to best embrace your one precious life and allow your God-given creativity to influence your life in the most beautiful ways?   Are you ready to honor your creative calling and embrace your creativity in soul-honoring ways that change your life?   If so, booking a creative session with me will help you get clarity and direction on what you need to fully embrace and move through your creativity with ease and purpose.

I had a super fun idea today. After a trip to the thrift store, I realized how fun it would be to share the process with you. Since I'm just getting started, this is my FIRST video out into the world. Originally, I was only going to share it with my Facebook group, after all, it was very impromptu. However, this is me on any given day in a comfy hoody, so I thought I'd just put it out there. As for my Art & Antiquing Series, I'm excited to see what goodies we'll find and how it will inspire you to make YOUR art with found treasures. I could not resist this mini cat plate! Be on the lookout for my next video in the series! I'm not sure yet if I will share a process video or take you on a treasure hunt with me. :) Subscribe below so you don't miss it and for special offerings, updates, and inspiration to your inbox! This blog post is part of a series. To see more of my adventures click here!

Are you looking to start or grow your creative business?    Are you unsure of what your creative gifts may be and are looking for how to best discern, embrace, and use them?     Are you unsure of your next steps or do you feel you just haven't found your groove yet? Would you like some direction on how to best embrace your one precious life and allow your God-given creativity to influence your life, and those of your customers, in the most beautiful of ways?   Are you ready to honor your creative calling and embrace your creativity so that it can change your life and business?    If so, booking a Creative Business Consulting Session with me will help you get clarity and direction.

Are you as smitten with soft pastels as much as I am? My collection of them somehow just keeps growing. :) Another thing I love...lavender. So, I've combined the two into a beautifully immersive experience at New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin. I am hosting SIX different classes over the two days of their Lavender Days Festival. What is it that I love about using this medium? Well, for one, I think they remind me of being a child. The fun and freedom of seeing where the beautiful colors will take you as well as the layering and blending of colors. They offer such a soft and ethereal look, one that I love. It appears often in my photography. Join me in Class Six - Heavenly Lavender in Soft Pastels on June 29th, 2024 at 2:30 pm. Over the course of the next week, I'm sharing more on each class. Be on the lookout for them. If you'd like to learn more about each one now - here is the link. https://www.melaniefaganart.com/new-life-lavender-farm-art-classes

Imagine taking photographs that speak to your soul and express the Beauty and joy that you experience in these sacred, precious moments. What would it feel like to embrace this Beauty and allow it to nurture your soul and help you navigate through the hard (#life)? Would you like to deepen your faith and invite God into more of your day-to-day? What about in your creativity and the way you bless and share Beauty with others? If you take a look around my website you will see that photography is my first creative love language. It is how I add beauty and joy to my days beyond the hard. As we journey into 2024, it is my honor to share some of my deepest and most personal beliefs on this form of photography. I would love for you to experience similar outcomes by allowing your faith to inform your creativity as you compose photographs that are meaningful and soul-nurturing for you, first and foremost. Earlier this year, I began creating an online class Embracing Beauty - Drawing Closer to God through the Art of Photography.  I soon realized that I wanted to create a workbook and guide that you could access and use easily no matter where you are and not need a device to watch, but a book to show you the way.  It is a piece of my heart, a piece of my soul that I am releasing out into the world, hoping and praying that the inspiration within blesses your life in the ways it has mine. The processes I share are personal and they are ultimately between you, God, and the Beauty He shares with you.  They offer healing, solace, joy, and wonder.  Living life from this perspective has filled my days with beauty, joy, and peace beyond the hard.  It also has helped me embrace other forms of creativity I didn't realize I would enjoy such as writing and art, which are fun bonuses. In the workbook, you have everything you need to begin Embracing Beauty in the same way including helpful worksheets, prompt cards, viewfinders, and checklists. Whether you have a DSLR camera or use your Smartphone, you will gain confidence in how you see and take meaningful and soulful photographs.  I pray that the book blesses and encourages your walk with the Lord as well as share the joy that is photography. To learn more and see additional Sneak Peek pages from inside the book just click below. #embracingbeauty #embracingbeautyjourney #embracingbeauyintheeveryday

When I picked up a camera in 2014 everything changed in how I see and experience the world around me. I realized that it was possible to be met with Beauty, love, and grace in the moments I seek it. In 2017, I wrote a little memoir, Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst, on how God and Beauty have influenced my life since 1997. I discovered how creativity and faith helped me through some challenging times in my life and I wrote about those experiences. Embracing Beauty - Drawing Closer to God through the Art of Photography is the next in the series, I guess. I didn't set out to create a series, but here we are. :) In Embracing Beauty, I help you become more comfortable and confident in your photography. You'll begin to see things in new ways and compose images in ways that are soulful and meaningful to you. I share an in-depth look at using your camera outside of automatic mode. You can also use your cell phone or whatever camera you have. What's most important is that you get out there and experience the Beauty and take the images. In addition, I share prayerfully meditative approaches that you can add to your photography experiences. They are meant to deepen your faith, nurture your soul, and Embrace the Beauty God shares, just for you in those moments. To learn more about the book you can read this post here with more info. If you're ready peek inside the book and purchase your copy today: Disclaimer Please note that I'm not a licensed therapist or mental health expert. I'm sharing what has helped me walk through some of the most difficult times in my life so that it may encourage you on your journey. I pray that Beauty will captivate your heart and nurture your soul in ways that only God can.

When I picked up a camera in 2014 everything changed in how I see and experience the world around me. I realized that it was possible to be met with Beauty, love, and grace in the moments I seek it. In 2017, I wrote a little memoir, Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst, on how God and Beauty have influenced my life since 1997. I discovered how creativity and faith helped me through some challenging times in my life and I wrote about those experiences. Embracing Beauty - Drawing Closer to God through the Art of Photography is the next in the series, I guess. I didn't set out to create a series, but here we are. :) In Embracing Beauty, I help you become more comfortable and confident in your photography. You'll begin to see things in new ways and compose images in ways that are soulful and meaningful to you. I share an in-depth look at using your camera outside of automatic mode. You can also use your cell phone or whatever camera you have. What's most important is that you get out there and experience the Beauty and take the images. In addition, I share prayerfully meditative approaches that you can add to your photography experiences. They are meant to deepen your faith, nurture your soul, and Embrace the Beauty God shares, just for you in those moments. To learn more about the book you can read this post here with more info. If you're ready peek inside the book and purchase your copy today: Disclaimer Please note that I'm not a licensed therapist or mental health expert. I'm sharing what has helped me walk through some of the most difficult times in my life so that it may encourage you on your journey. I pray that Beauty will captivate your heart and nurture your soul in ways that only God can.

I have notes written all over the place - words scattered across my worktable, thoughts to return to when my hands aren't busy with scissors, photographs, or paint. I looked up for a second as I was cutting a photo to size and saw the words around a piece of paper but not together, and then the thought came to me - Beauty Journaling. I have been doing it all these years, but I didn't have a name for it. It's not scrapbooking or junk journaling. It's not a planning journal or even a place to spill every detail of my life. I can say with certainty that it is where I gather the beauty I see and experience through photography, creativity, and faith. It is where ideas develop, prayers and praise are written, creativity is fun and freely expressed, thoughts are documented, soulful words are written across the papers, and my photos have a home outside of a screen or hard drive. It is where I spend time with God and lean into the creativity He has planted within my soul. Yay!! Beauty Journaling isn't a specific size or type of journal either - it is the intentionality of the content and the process that makes it so. Beauty isn't necessarily in the end project or outcome. Yes, that's certainly a possible bonus. The Beauty is in honoring and trusting God with #life in all of its good and hard and allow the process to draw you near to Jesus and His love for you. In this process, your heart is touched by Glory and your mind is renewed in truth. You can sign up for the FREE CLASS by clicking here! The class also has a printable kit that you can purchase to use with the class. Use my images and kit or use your own. Once you sign up, all future videos that I create with this particular journal will be FREE for my online community right here on MelanieFaganArt.com. We have a private group and everything! See you on the inside! :)

I often have people share with me that they just don't have the time to create. They would like to, but for various reasons, the time to create is limited. #1 - Make it Easy & Accessible - Have items together and ready to go. Whenever you see a moment in your day ahead or the next day, make sure to have a few things set up and in place… inviting you to come and play. #2 - Create Visual Inspiration - Have images of what inspires you out in front of your eyes. Printed. Up on an inspiration board. Stick them to your wall. Put mini collages next to the kitchen sink so that you see them while doing your other daily demands. Having these items in the actual physical world and off of a screen makes all of the difference for creativity to become a reality. #3 - Limiting Beliefs - We all have them in one way or another. I've learned quite a bit about these pesky little thought processes over the past couple of years. To be candid, if we think we never have the time to create, then we won't. If we can begin to think a little differently about our creativity, new thoughts such as : I need to make time for this part of myself, for my soul. I need to create for healing and joy. I need to create because I would hate to get to the end of my life and realize I didn't use up every bit of the goodness God has given me. (Harsh but true. Cancer twice in 18 months quickly puts it all into perspective. Don't wait. ) I want to honor God with my creativity, I want it to be more of a form of prayer and worship. I am worthy of this time for myself, I really am. We have a Facebook Live on Friday!! Now's your chance to send me questions, thoughts, and suggestions on the things you'd like me to share. Would you like to discuss cameras? Photography? Art making? Specific mediums you'd like me to demonstrate? Did I mention I've spent years collecting supplies, photos, and camera gear? ;) You can always reach me by email with any questions, comments, or suggestions. I'm always here to help you discover, create, and flourish in your authenticity and joy as an artist. Why is this so important? I believe our creative path is a sacred one, a gift, an invitation to embrace something fundamental within. Creativity opens our souls to honor and delight in the art that is longing for discovery and expression. It truly is a gift and a blessing to cultivate these whispers and experience the healing and joy that they offer along the way. I'd love to know... Did you find today's email insightful or encouraging in some way? Do you have any questions or thoughts? I'd love to hear. GOT QUESTIONS? WANT TO SAY HELLO? Send me an Email... REPLY HERE…

Hi there, friend.  I'm happy to meet here in this little corner of my website.  While most everything you find on this site is related to art, faith, and creativity, I would be remiss to not share the why of what you see here today within all of the pages, classes, and posts. You may have read that I have walked this path for over 25 years.  I understand the ins and outs of life with chronic pain, chronic illness, and #life...not only for myself but for others I love too.  With the Lord's help, I've taken my experiences and turned them into something for good, for hope, for joy.  While I do not make light of anything any one of us deals with, I point to faith, hope, peace, and Beauty beyond the hard.   If you need a friend who can offer you insight and direction on how to best navigate this journey of life with chronic illness and chronic pain, I have tons of reading material, just click here to go and browse. Please take some time and browse the collections of material curated to offer hope and peace beyond the hard. If you need a friend and guide who will also help you navigate ways in which to live your best life even with chronic illness and chronic pain, I'm here for you.  I'm available for personal mentoring sessions that will help you move through your days with more ease, purpose, and peace.   It would be my honor to come alongside you and help you navigate how to make the best of this one precious life, day by day, one moment at a time.  While I can't guarantee change and success, I will give you the best that I have to offer in guidance, wisdom, and encouragement.  Click the button below to reserve your session today.  I can't wait to meet with you.

What's New with me? Well... My work was PUBLISHED!! It just goes to show, you never know until you try! Back in March, I submitted a concertina journal that I created to Somerset Studios. In August, I had to run to Joann Fabrics for a few items and since I hadn't heard from the magazine I figured I wasn't published. However, I was excited to see if either of my friends who submitted were published. To my absolute surprise, in the middle of the Joann checkout line, I saw my images on the pages of the magazine! I kind of Eeekked out! Click the image to purchase your digital copy today! Since taking the photos above, I have discovered two other places within this issue where they used my art and photography. One of which is a pull-out journal page for you to create on! How cool is that?! I'm doing a Facebook Live this Friday, October 6th @ 12:30 pm Central. In this live, I will be sharing my journal that I just received back today as well as other images from the magazine. More on the FB Live below! I will also share tips on what I did that may have helped me get published.

Do you often find yourself feeling unfulfilled or uncertain when you create? Maybe you feel the need to create something new and different, maybe even something exciting and new ("Come aboard, we're expecting you".... - The Love Boat theme song) - Ok, I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself. Who else watched The Love Boat? In all seriousness, this was and at times still is me. I have to remind myself of the following... The artists I follow and admire dearly all say " just start making and creating....just start". I honestly had the hardest time with this. I would start and create art that I saw others making. I would measure my success as an artist by what they were making. Was it close, how did it compare? At first, I focused solely on my skills. Was I good enough? Don't. Do. This. Instead, pay attention to how you feel as you're making and creating. What about the process brings you joy? What ignites your curiosity? What do you love about the process? Is the process sparking new ideas? What comes easy to you? When do you feel that spark of excitement? Is there something here you want to maybe take in a different direction? Pay attention to these things, and make note of them. Why you might ask? Because as time progressed I realized I wasn't feeling fulfilled as an artist. Yes, I was super happy that my skills were improving to the point where I felt I could make the things I was learning from others. But, I wasn't feeling fulfilled. Why else would we put ourselves through imposter syndrome or resistance if we weren't searching for something more? We want to feel fulfilled and know that what we are doing matters if not for anyone else other than ourselves. We need to embrace that expression and the beauty that fuels it as well as the beauty that comes from it. I believe we all go through these steps in the evolution of our creativity. The need to feel that you must create something new and never seen before simply means you have yet to find what excites you. When you experience joy, curiosity, happiness, and peace; when you listen to the whispers from deep within, you'll know you're creating something new and never seen before. Because it comes directly from you. You may take various techniques you've learned and mix them together in a way that is meaningful, soulful, and exciting to you. Or you may discover a process all your own. How do you get to this point? Yes, you have to start, and then you also have to take note of the thoughts mentioned above, as well as your own emotions. The good feelings, the happy feelings, the excitement of possibility feelings, etc... By starting I mean actually playing, creating, discovering, and asking yourself the what-if questions. Our brains need the actual process of making, creating, and listening to our soul's stories through the physicality and expression of art. This will lead to making your very own art in whatever medium and fashion that may be. I will say this though - there is nothing new under the sun - it's all been done in one way or another, so take that pressure off of yourself and create from you, just for you. There is peace and possibility in taking a step back from the scrolling world and listening to your own intuition and guidance. It is in these moments that you will begin to see that God does indeed care about your creativity. The insight and possibilities that just appear are from somewhere within but also beyond yourself. For me, this is actually the ultimate fulfillment as an artist; I become quite giddy. As I am typing this out I'm realizing I need to remember this over everything else. There is so much to get wrapped up in. We have so much information coming at us always, in life and in the art world. Do it for the process and what that teaches you about yourself as well as God's unfailing love and care for you. Then, you will find true fulfillment as an artist and maybe even in life. ;)

Introduction “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 On a beautiful April morning in 1999, my life changed forever. As I drove along a scenic country road heading towards the interstate, an oncoming car turned left in front of me. The accident totaled my car; thankfully it did not harm my four-year-old daughter. As for me, I had quite a few injuries which led to knee surgery, shoulder surgery, TMJ, and pain, unlike anything I had experienced in my life prior. Conventional medicine lacked in some areas which made the misery even more unbearable. Finding alternative ways to allow my body to heal and calm the pain became my purpose. Through massage therapy, essential oils, and prayer, a journey began. In 1999 the internet was young, but it still offered some valuable insight. Somewhere, I read that being creative or artistic can reduce pain by giving your mind something else to think about. In my case, this proved to be true. As I created an 8 ½ X 11 baby scrapbook, joy began flickering within my soul. Unbeknownst to me, each day these creative projects fostered new connections within my brain, allowing growth and new ways of thinking. {1} As I crafted the pages I began to focus on the blessings of life instead of just the heartaches. It was peaceful therapy and a gift from the Lord I didn’t ask for specifically. He quietly led the way and answered a prayer for help. In these moments, I began to awaken… Only two years earlier, I had asked Jesus to forgive my sins as I placed my life into His hands. When I was a child, going to church or loving the Lord was not the focus in our home. I did, however, believe there was a God. My husband and I married in a Catholic church, and that was the extent of my faith. Up until the point when I gave my life to Jesus, I always felt God was a distant, all-powerful, all-knowing Oz, so to speak. As I began to live my life for Jesus, childhood memories of my sweet Grandmother praying and sharing God’s love with me sparked. Due to my parent’s divorce, those influences weren’t a part of my life for ten years. Yet, I know over those years, she continued to pray. Her planted seeds eventually helped me to remember this precious time from my youth. I wanted to know more about our Savior. Over the past twenty-four years, pain and strife have certainly tried to take hold of my life. A debilitating fall left me with chronic back pain, a hip injury, and an injury to each knee. The hip and knee injuries required surgery. Type I Diabetes, Gastroparesis, Hypothyroid, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, two breast cancer diagnoses in 18 months, and many food allergies try to steal any form of beauty from my consciousness. My husband has endured multiple hospital stays for a blood clotting disorder, as well as two brain surgeries to eliminate the horrific pain from Trigeminal Neuralgia. How and where does one find beauty in all of this? Imagine strolling along a garden path when all of a sudden you round the corner and you’re in the middle of an immense lilac garden. The fragrance of heaven and the infinite amount of blooms takes your breath away. This is a true story by the way. It’s in these moments that I have no doubt God is offering a glimpse of His love through beauty. Looking back, I can see where God has revealed insight and beauty into my life every step of the way. While living through these trials and struggling to make some sense of it all, it’s difficult to focus. In recent years, I strive to seek Jesus, trust God, and allow the Spirit to lead me into peace and beauty. “Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around.” 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prayed for his servant to be able to open his eyes in the midst of the battle and see God’s glory coming to the rescue in a time of great need. That morning of the car accident, as I laid on the backboard in the ambulance, my scared four-year-old clinched a stuffed monkey given to her by a fireman. As Daddy drove up and came to our little girl’s rescue, I will never forget the sheer joy in her eyes and the squeal of delight. Can we, as God’s children have these same moments of adoration in our lives, simply by opening our eyes? What if we then responded to this amazing beauty and grace? To embrace this conscious connection with God is how we awaken to the authentically beautiful life. On the following pages/posts, I share mini-memoirs of trials, faith, and God’s goodness in the midst of everyday life. This journey, this awakening, never really ends, and I’m humbled and thankful for that truth. As we continually live out the instruction to love Him, we must always seek Him and delight in His Glory, even in the hard times, especially in the hard times. In doing so, He alters our paths into glimpses of Glory. Prayer Father, I come to you today with a heart full of so many issues and blessings. Please help me to seek you and to love you with all of my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. Your word states this is your greatest command for me. May I begin to notice you even in the smallest fragments of beauty and grace in my life. May my heart overflow with love for you as we grow in communion together. I pray my mind will be renewed with your truth and perfect will for my life. In my weakness you are strong. I pray for your love and strength to fill my life and help me overcome and conquer whatever obstacles may appear. Please help me to remain focused on you, God, and the beauty in my midst. Amen. {1}{http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/the-real-neuroscience-of-creativity/} Scott Barry Kaufman © 2013 --- If you'd like to read the rest of Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst, click on the button below. Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst - Melanie Fagan (C) 2017 - 2023

Chapter One - True Beauty 0 The Art of Noticing. “They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”Psalm 77:12 As I stood at the sink washing dishes, a few droplets of water landed on my left leg. It felt as if a bee was stinging me. Upon further examination, I realized there was no swelling or entry wound. What in the world was happening? I would soon discover that this moment was the beginning of a condition known as RSD as well as a severe bout of depression. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is a pain syndrome and one I struggled with for many, many years. I suffered a debilitating injury from a car accident to my left leg which went for more than a year without answers. The doctors continually gave me the runaround. Finally, after meeting with a neurologist, I had some guidance. Because of the trauma to my leg and knee, my brain wouldn’t stop sending pain signals. It simply didn’t know how to turn it off. My personal relationship with Jesus was in its infancy, and I longed for understanding. Through the heartache and pain, prayer was a constant need. Eventually, my heart began to crave anything of meaning. One afternoon, I remember purposefully taking our four-year-old daughter out in the backyard for a picnic, under the apple trees. As we lay there on the rose print blanket gazing at a sky full of cloud creatures, something inside of me awoke. Just a few days before, my burdened body and brain became overwhelmed with pain. If this was something I had to endure for the rest of my life, I didn’t know how to continue. There was no desire, no drive to keep going. Exhaustion and despair attempted to claim me emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. I was lost, or so I thought. As we giggled at the whale floating above our heads, thankfulness began to fill my heart with grace and small joy. It was in that moment of experiencing the beauty in the blossoms, the hummingbirds buzzing, and my daughter’s laughter... I noticed for the first time what I call, true beauty. “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 True Beauty is more than just seen. It is felt as an experience that awakens us to the presence of God in our immediate moments. Noticing this majestic beauty is unique to each one of us. I believe this is no accident. God creates everything as an invitation. He is welcoming us to notice and love Him every second. Experiencing a glimpse of His love through an incredible sunset, a gorgeous flower, a fantastic meal, or even a simple smile from a friend or stranger depends on our observation. Will we rush through and miss it or will we begin to notice grace in the details? What we find beautiful, we love. God is love; therefore He is in the beauty we seek to fill our souls. To live an authentically beautiful life is to awaken to the art of possibility. A glimpse of love, hope, tranquility, or joy does wonders for our fatigued lives. Is it possible that the Lord is sharing some of Himself with me, with each of us, in these moments of grace-filled beauty? I believe that He does. Awakening to authenticity is a choice we make each day, each moment. I believe in the Holy Spirit and the incredible power and love offered to us through this gift from God. Now, let’s remember God is the Creator of everything. Would you say He has an amazing creative spirit? I certainly would, and we’re created in His image. Guess what? Even if you think there isn’t an artistic bone in your body, you’re still creatively gifted in some way. Our creative spirit feeds our soul the beauty and the glimpses of grace we inherently and uniquely crave. Oh, how I wish never to miss these opportunities with my choices. “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” Psalm 145:5 I’m going to ask you to stop reading for a moment and pray, asking God to reveal His presence and glory in your life. Next, surround yourself with beautiful things and images that inspire awe and majesty. Some of us may have a hard time knowing what that is. Accept the challenge not to be limited by the familiar and pursue what sparks your interests. Drive or walk a different route, just for the fun of it. Explore the possibilities. Commit this pursuit of moving past the mundane to prayer, asking the Lord for guidance. We are created to have companionship and fellowship with Him on every level. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing which means to include God in every aspect of our daily lives. Realizing the beauty of God moment by moment transforms our days, faith, and lives for His Glory. “And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also, he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty, I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelations 21:5-7 Let us use our God-given senses to train our minds and observe the things that uplift the spirit. Mentally frame the snapshots captured by the camera of the mind, listen to the harmonious melodies, breathe in deep the magnificent aromas, tantalize the taste buds, touch the textures of life, and experience color everywhere. Nurture these small moments and allow them to stir your soul. Because of God's love for us, beauty is tangible; it’s something we can see and experience. Noticing true beauty awakens something within that only God can harness. Experiencing this unique divinity in our midst is to love God in our everyday moments. When this occurs, our relationship with Jesus deepens and a beauty-filled life unfolds. None of this is by chance. Each of us is here for a purpose and at least one reason. I firmly believe God reveals some aspirations, one glimpse at a time. We are a work of art; our faith is a journey with Jesus and our life is His canvas. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 That afternoon at the kitchen sink was the result of the car accident months before. Little did I know that the pain would eventually lead to me noticing abundant Glory in my life! As I apply paint to this figurative canvas of my life, I’m sure there are some muddy mixtures from this time and many others. Envisioning this metaphorical painting makes me wonder if my splatters of mud could at times ruin the whole thing. Thankfully, Grace abounds with focus. Noticing and permitting Grace as it shines through even in the hardest and darkest moments will splash more beauty on that canvas than we could ever imagine. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” John 15:6 --- Now, it's your turn. One of the biggest changes in my situation was to invite gratitude into my days. To make a conscious effort and document the big and little things that I was thankful for. At first, I started by writing down at least three items a day, and soon my daily count of thankfulness was between five and ten easily. Gratitude is like that. It fundamentally changes how our minds work and influences healing on many levels. If you would love to invite a little more beauty, peace, and thankfulness into your days, but you're not sure how to do that creatively, I have a very easy and doable solution for you. Print out a few beautiful images and add them to your gratitude journaling. I promise beauty and gratitude are two things we can always have more of in our lives. The following collection of four 3.5"x5" lavender images is available in my shop for your creative enjoyment. :) --- Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst is a book I wrote and self-published in 2017. It is a mini-memoir from the previous ten years. I share how God took the hard and helped me see and live the beauty - no matter how hard the days became. Little did I know what was ahead of me in just one year. May it encourage and bless your journey to seek and embrace beauty in the midst of the hard. My hope is that you then allow those experiences to shape and inform your days into purpose and meaning beyond the hard. If you'd like to read the rest of Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst now, click on the button below. Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst - Melanie Fagan (C) 2017 - 2023

Dear friends - I started writing this guide last year as I recovered from a unilateral mastectomy. It was therapeutic on many levels. It allowed me to focus on what I know to be true, while also slooooowly healing. I'm happy to say I just passed my one-year mark on recovery. Praise God, it's been a haul. A few weeks back, I knew more than anything I wanted to wrap this up and share it with you in September. Little did I know what the state of the world would be when I was finally ready to hit publish. Today, I find myself with the heaviness of everything that is going on and I wonder, does any of this still matter? I mean it almost feels superficial to be talking about art, creativity, beauty at a time like this. For me, and for many that I know in the creative community, we know nothing else. What I mean is that we are always looking for beauty and creating is just who we are and what we do. As I stated in my book from 2017 Awakening to Beauty in Our Midst this is a way of life. It is how I cope and find purpose and meaning beyond the struggles, sadness, disappointments, and hard. Because, when I look for beauty, I am also seeking God. For me, they are one and the same. When He shares a monarch landing on a flower at just the right moment for me to then snap that picture - that is a gift. It is nourishment for my soul and I want nothing more than for you to experience the Divine love of God in all areas of your life. I am here to say that He is indeed in your creativity and in your making as well. Please, go and download this little guide and workbook. May it encourage and equip you to move forward in these uncertain times with purpose and passion. Because, now more than ever, we need each other. We need encouragement, beauty, and small moments of solace and peace. Hugs to you, my friend. Honor what's within and embrace the simple.ordinary.beauty. in your day-to-day, beyond the hard.

{My FIRST Welcome video Circa 2020 - It is where I started and is paving the way for where we are going together! :) } The other day I was going through some old videos and I came across this little gem that I had yet to share anywhere. It's funny how life will steamroll your best intentions and dreams; hopefully not forever though. Yes, sometimes, obviously, the most important things need to take priority...like a second breast cancer diagnosis in 18 months and the subsequent surgery and loooong recovery. However, this deserves to be shared. My daughter filmed it as part of an assignment for her film class in March 2020. I added the audio and it is a tad quiet. Sorry. My editing skills and complete originality have improved since then. 😉 If I'm being 1000% honest, I am not the same person I was in this video. I am wiser, stronger, a little more tattered and worn, and more reliant than ever on Jesus. I'm beyond thankful that I STILL GET TO discover, embrace, capture, and create from the Beauty in it all. The month of April, Lord willing is going to be epic. I am currently finishing the filming of my first-ever online class. Eeeek!! More on that a little later. For now though I'd love to know dear friend, what is it that YOU STILL GET TO do? What brings you joy, hope, happiness, purpose, and passion? What is that THING you are here to do? PS - there is a cameo of my Moosey Babe at the end. PSS - If you don't know yet, I tend to collect rescue cats like art supplies. Well, close anyways. I was too heartbroken to share on all of the social media platforms, but last July my sweet Moosey crossed the rainbow bridge. He was fourteen years old and honestly was my soul cat. He was by my side through ALL of my surgeries and recoveries for breast cancer. Prior to that, he was my studio apprentice. He LOVED creating with me. When my art table was in the basement, he was allowed on that table. So, when we shot this video with all of the art supplies on the dining room table - we had to bend the rules if just for a few moments. I am so glad we did. It was an honor to love him.

*****{CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE SAMPLE SET}***** I've rediscovered my love for writing. I spent a few years somewhat recoiled by all things life; sometimes the words are hard to find in the midst of the storms. One thing I always go back to... where I find a deeper connection or a better understanding of myself, of living this one precious life well, of understanding matters of faith and Who's I am... it is pouring words out onto the page. This practice frees the mind up of a little bandwidth and causes me to get out of my head. We look for titles all of the time; it's how we make sense of our world, people, and places. In all honesty, not one of us is defined by just one title. Thank God! For me, as far as how I want to show up in the world and share parts of my story to help you fully embrace yours, I need to not try and stuff myself into a lane that isn't fully my own. I think as creatives we all do this to a point, until we don't. Eventually, what makes us come alive and excited to get out of bed in the morning and create will find its way to us. It's been right in front of me all along... I am a photographer, an artist, and a writer. In order to feel fully alive and to honor the various parts of my creativity in genuine and authentic ways I need to allow all three access to my soul. One of the ways I've embraced my love for writing is by adding 'wallpaper' to my journals. I have thousands if not tens of thousands of photographs on hard drives. As with any art form, there are the images that are just gorgeous and there are the images that I took along the way before I found that amazing shot. They deserve to be shared as well...put out into the world to inspire, to hold meaningful and beautiful words, prayers, and creativity. I'm super excited to share with you my Journal Wallpaper. Here are some of the ways you can use the images: Adhere them in your journal before or after writing on them Use them as special pages to hold your prayers, praise, beautiful words, scripture, and quotes. Use different color inks such as white or gel pens. They are excellent for collage and journal fodder. Use them to decorate part of your page and add other elements to the pages as well such as your own photographs, stickers, dried flowers, or other embellishments. They would make for some pretty junk journals. There is a facet of journaling called junk journaling (just in case you're new to all things journaling). I personally have a hard time calling it that, but I get where the term came from. It's when you take various forms of paper media and repurpose them. Things such as junk mail, cereal boxes, old books, lace, fabric, etc. You then add your own creativity to the journal. Most of the time the creations are just beautiful! They are made from junk or items that could be pitched and are given a new life through creativity. Use them as backgrounds for scrapbooking. I know not too many people actually scrapbook anymore with the digital world being what it is today. However, if you're one of those old souls (term of endearment) that love to create books and add your memories and photographs to the pages, my journal wallpaper will add a special touch of beauty. Most of all, enjoy, have fun and let the words and prayers flow! *****{CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR YOUR FREE SAMPLE SET}***** Visit my store for complete and current listings of journal wallpaper options.

Once upon a time, I created a very in-depth quiz to help my readers discover and embrace their key artistic personality. Since then, I have updated the site and have put the quiz aside for now. However, the rest of the content in the video has really nothing to do with the quiz results. I mention it briefly. May these five steps (plus a bonus) encourage your creative journey. This is the first video I ever made where I am talking to the camera. ;) Enjoy!

Sacred moments are the little blessings in the day-to-day, that allow me to pause and take notice of the Divine or the Beautiful. For me, these moments are a gift from God. They may present as any of the following: (this list is not all-inclusive in any way) – Quiet Moments – Peaceful Moments – Moments in time when my mind is open to receive new thoughts, inspirations, and guidance. – Moments when my body is calm and able to experience peace through the experience of the moment, via prayer, and other relaxation modalities. {Did you know that creativity may offer some relief to chronic pain and illness?} – Hopeful Moments – Beautiful Moments – Inspirational Moments – Moments to Cherish – Moments of Joy – Moments of Laughter – Moments of Learning Something New – Moments of Answered Prayers – Moments of Happiness – Moments to Learn From – Moments Remembered I encourage you to look for and allow these opportunities to be a part of your day-to-day. I find that these moments move me in a way that is nurturing to my mind, my body, and my soul. I want to remember them. I also want them to inspire my creativity. It’s important to keep a record of them. Create notes on your phone or carry a mini-journal around with you to jot them down. Printing a beautiful photo out and adding your memory to it gives the moment a visual reminder. When we long to embrace a beautiful life, we need to establish and honor what inspires and moves us. There is no better inspiration for authentic creativity than our very own experiences and observations. Three Ways to Get Started 1) Print out my free set of mock Polaroid images. Use them to add to your journals or write on the front and back a sacred moment. Placing them in a tray or bowl in your studio space is another fun way to have them easily accessible. Click on the image below to access the and print them out. 2) Make time for the sacred to be a part of your day. Allow time for prayer, inspiration from nature, or from the beauty in your everyday experiences. Go for a walk, visit a park, spend time observing nature in your backyard, create a lovely meal, add fresh flowers to your dining room table, etc. Allow yourself to be moved by simply joy. Jesus is always with us, we need only to slow down and take notice of all of the beauty He shares with us constantly. 3) Create. Play with art supplies or bake a loaf of bread. What brings you joy? That is where you want to spend your time developing your creativity. If you’re not sure yet, that’s okay. Guess what? Creativity and an artist’s life is an ongoing, ever-evolving process. Start to notice what brings you joy. Keep notes and records no matter how random they may be. Trust me, it will come together in the way it’s supposed to.

I have notes written all over the place - words scattered across my worktable, thoughts to return to when my hands aren't busy with scissors, photographs, or paint. I looked up for a second as I was cutting a photo to size and saw the words around a piece of paper but not together, and then the thought came to me - Beauty Journaling. I have been doing it all these years, but I didn't have a name for it. It's not scrapbooking or junk journaling. It's not a planning journal or even a place to spill the details of my life. I can say with certainty that it is where I gather the beauty I see and experience in my life through photography, creativity, and faith. It is where ideas develop, prayers and praise are written, creativity is fun and freely expressed, thoughts are documented, soulful words are written across the pages, and my photos have a home outside of a screen or hard drive. It is where I spend time with God and lean into the creativity He has planted within my soul. Yay!! Beauty Journaling isn't a specific size or type of journal either - it is the intentionality of the contents that makes it so. More on this to come in the near future. :) I'm hosting a Facebook Live this Friday, October 13, 2023 @ 12:30 pm Central. (If you come upon this blog post after that date, you can still watch the replay and receive the download. Just sign up below.) I will share with you how to take a photograph and turn it into a mini Beauty Journal. You can use the image download I'm sharing with you, or you may use your own. Join my Facebook Creative Community by clicking the image below. Download your Free Images and Subscribe to my Email Community by clicking the image below. Excited to see you in the Live!!

{FREE DOWNLOAD EXPRESS PASS :) - CLICK HERE}} I'm creating a series of prayer and journal cards. As a lot of you know, I love taking and sharing photographs. I realized something a few weeks ago when talking with friends... (that is how things happen you know, just talk with your friends). They help you to see things you may otherwise miss, sometimes without saying a word, but just by listening. Thank you to my beautiful friends!! <3 Angels Among Us Ok - anyways, back to photography - what I realized was that in the back of my mind, I knew my images (and my art) have a purpose beyond sitting on hard drives or not being shared. I want them to inspire you towards Beauty. Towards faith, hope, and the love of Jesus. This is how I have made it through so much stuff and by the grace of God, I will continue to do so. By Embracing the Beauty of small moments, the gifts, the blessings, the creativity, and allowing them to inform the tapestry of my life in the smallest of ways... well, this is the journey I am on. Praise God!! This is where you come in... I have SO MANY images - like tens of thousands over the past ten years! Not everyone is a work of art or has the feel that I LOVE to share. However, the ones that do - I need to release out into the world. I have plans for them, big plans. Things of Beauty, of Jesus, of creativity. May they encourage your faith journey as well as your creativity. Download your FREE download by clicking on the image below.

My Embracing Beauty Handmade Leather Journal is like a hug to hold all of the beauty and creativity God shares. In collaboration with my dear friend and fellow artist Jeanie Dickinson, I have a beautiful offering for you this Holiday Season. About the Journal Jeanie created the leather journal and engraved the wording Embracing Beauty on the cover for me. I then sourced beautiful handmade virgin cotton deckled edge watercolor/mixed media (150 GSM) in white. Watercolors, pastels, and gel pens love this paper. It is my joy and honor to share such a beautiful journal created with you in mind. The page sizes are perfect for holding your photographs, art, and soulful words. It is known as a Traveler's Notebook style allowing you to choose or create your own inserts or signatures to suit your needs. This way you're able to use the same journal for years to come, just change out your inserts or add new paper. Your order includes two unbound signatures totaling fifteen pieces of paper which equates to 60 journal pages. This way, you may incorporate other papers into your signatures. You may also use them just as they are. Loose paper allows you to pull them out and create in whatever way you'd like. Can we say image transfers, acrylics, full-page spreads, or whatever your heart desires?! Size Insert sizes measure approximately 7.5" H x 5.75" W. Unfolded papers measure approximately 7.5" H X 11.5" W. The finished size of the journal when closed measures approximately 7.75" H x 6" W. Options Black Leather with White Deckled Edge Watercolor Paper (150gsm) Brown Leather with White Deckled Edge Watercolor Paper (150gsm) Brown Leather with Vintage Deckled Edge Watercolor Paper (150gsm) Beauty Bonus Inside In addition, I've added two vellum envelopes for visual pockets of inspiration as well as four pages of tissue paper. I LOVE vellum and there is something so beautiful and inspiring when your images and art are delicately revealed through the vellum or tissue paper; inviting creativity and journaling. The tissue paper makes a great barrier between pages if you need that or they are awesome to journal on too, especially with a white pen. Note The paper is not intended for use with fine nib calligraphy pens. The paper has a good amount of tooth, therefore do take care in what pens and markers you use on the page. You could still use your calligraphy pens within the journal, just add your own paper.

Last year while camping on Lake Superior in mid-October, I collected and pressed a few gorgeous maple leaves. Once home, I decided to dip them in encaustic medium to see how they would hold their color over time. I'm happy to say that when I brought them out at the beginning of October this year, they looked just as beautiful as they did last fall. Well, this made me want to collect more leaves and create a garland or other fall and Thanksgiving decorations. Here is a quick little video where I share a basic encaustic setup that also works well for this project. Know that you could do this with just the beeswax, but that the resin acts as a mild hardener and also increases the melting or softening point of the wax. So if for example, you want to display these in your window where the sunlight hits them, you'll want to use encaustic instead of just the beeswax. Have fun!! Suggested Supplies Encaustic Medium Beeswax in place of Encaustic Medium Electric Skillet Electric Fan for window ventilation Stainless Steel Tweezers Craft Heat Gun Surface Thermometer This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click and make purchases I must inform you that I may or may not receive a small commission from your purchases. This in no way increases your costs and in some cases, you may receive discount pricing, which you will know ahead of time. Thank you for helping to support my small business through these links.

Photo courtesy of New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm E10766 County Rd W, Baraboo, WI 53913 When: November 18, 2023 9:45am - 12:00pm (Class will start promptly at 10:00am) Christmas Open House 12:00pm - 2:00pm Did you know, Baraboo's Christmas Lighting will happen this evening as well? Come and spend a magical day with us in Baraboo! Come join me for a morning of creativity, fun, and beauty. New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm is one of our area's most beautiful places to visit. While the growing season may be over, the shop is a place of pure beauty and renewal. I'm so honored and excited to share this experience with you, your family, and your friends. Our Project: Exquisite Custom Handmade Lavender in Clay Ornaments The designs were made specifically for this event with lavender from the farm. No matter your 'skill level' - everyone will have beautifully painted keepsake ornaments. They honestly feel and look like mini pieces of art. 2 ornaments per person - these make excellent gifts and keepsakes! Mediums Used: Clay (premade designs for you to choose from), Encaustic (beeswax), Watercolors, Acrylics, Gesso, Ribbon, Embellishments, Christmas Charms, Twine What else is included? Not only are we creating art, memories, and having fun, your purchase also includes: Private & Exclusive First Look at the Farm's Christmas Open House being held after class! Laura's Delicious Lavender Teas and Specially-Made Treats! Come and join us!! $66.80.00 per person Be sure to act quickly as space is limited! I look forward to seeing you on Nov 18th!

I did not plan to check two more boxes on the challenge when I made my cup of yum. It just sort of happened that way. Beauty has a tendency to just show up when you're paying attention. I could have rushed through my Saturday morning but I decided to pause… and there it was. The coffee, the fall colors, and part of the story of our challenge serendipitously appeared right in front of me. This moment made me smile. Week One - Happy Monday! Hello Friends! I hope your weekend was one of rest. As I shared in the group, fall temps have certainly set in here in Wisconsin. I enjoyed that first cup of warm coffee on a cool autumn morning. That first sip was so delightful, it nourished my soul. Such a simple thing to be thankful for; it was a reminder for me of God's provisions. To make things easy, I'm posting the link to the page on my website where you can access the download as well as any emails and blog posts you may miss along the way. Bookmark the page or save this email for future reference. https://www.melaniefaganart.com/embracing-beauty-fall-challenge Have you heard of Imposter's Syndrome? It's this gnawing voice or collection of thoughts that play in the background of your mind. Making you think things like - “who do you think you are to create anything? You're not a real artist, photographer, writer, musician, etc… who are trying to fool?” Believe me when I tell you everyone experiences this. It's actually a subconscious defense mechanism that speaks in untruths. I also think it keeps us from actually embracing all of the beauty in this life that God has for us. I don't know about you, but I honestly don't want to miss everything He has for me by doubting. The amount of time I've wasted questioning my value and worth as a creative, well, it's ridiculous. It's also a joy robber. I truly want to help you through this aspect of a creative life. Tip # 2 - Don't listen to the doubt and the fear. Trust the stirrings within your soul and embrace what He shares as beautiful with you. It has purpose. Overcoming Imposter Syndrom I think as long as we create and make and reach for those new horizons within our souls, this unwanted guest is always going to try and steal our joy. Take away its power like you would with any other fear. Pray for guidance, truth, and light to guide you. Not only in your creativity but in all areas of your life. It overflows from one area to the next, I promise. Secondly, give it a name… something silly to you. Then when you start having those thoughts… call them out by name… “Hey there Gretchen, not today, I've got too many awesome things going. I'm not listening.” Imagine yourself in a schoolyard verbal back and forth - then you decide to turn and walk away with all of your art friends. Creating our art... the art of our life as well as the art of our hands is an emotional connection to something deeper within. It is a connection to the Spirit of God within us. Engaging with this beauty is what makes us fully alive. We must choose what we listen to. What's Happening this Week? I have homework for you. ;) 1) Continue to take photos and/or create art that brings you joy. 2) Print out your photos. Take photos of your art and print those out too. Pick your top three to five photos so far. 3) Your next email will be on Wednesday with a supply list for our FB Live on Friday. We'll be making a very simple journal together that is rooted in the various ways to embrace the beauty in your world. See you in the group! Not part of the challenge or community yet? What are you waiting for? Join the fun today! Join the challenge at any time - full access to all emails and FB Lives when you join. You can always reach me by email with any questions, comments, or suggestions. I'm always here to help you discover, create, and flourish in your authenticity and joy as an artist. Why is this so important? I believe our creative path is a sacred one, a gift, an invitation to embrace something fundamental within. Creativity opens our souls to honor and delight in the art that is longing for discovery and expression. It truly is a gift and a blessing to cultivate these whispers and experience the healing and joy that they offer along the way.