#my100daysofwritingsomething

[alexakarabin]

Goodnight Luna. . . . . . . . #luna #moth #mothart #lunamoth #painting #watercolor #glass #goldleaf #gilded #moon #moonart #hexagon #geometric #art #stars #marchmeetthemaker #my100daysofwritingsomething #decor #design #creativelife #artstudio https://www.instagram.com/p/BvfklhMj__v/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11fy7mimlqgz2

[alexakarabin]

If you haven’t seen my studio in a while, it is because it is a huge mess. I don’t understand these artists’ profiles that are so pristine and perfect. I think they have professional photographers come over after they have cleaned out everything in their studios. It just doesn’t seem real to me. My studio is like a MAD-scientists lab. There are things everywhere. No matter how hard I try to stay tidy, in the moment of creation, nothing else matters. Then night comes and I am too tired to clean up, just to make a mess the next day. My painting studio is tiny. It is less than 10’x10’. It consists of two drafting tables, two work benches, shelves, flat files, and stacks of things. There isn’t a lot of room to move around. I have a larger space in my basement that is dedicated to framing, packaging, and storage. I am saving my money right now to build a large space on my property, so I can take on more students and teach workshops. This will hopefully happen within the next two years. Artist/makers, do you have any cleaning /organizing tips? 😬 . . . . . . . #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #100daysofwriting #interiordesign #designinspo #painting #paint #paintings #art #artist #drawing #artwork #illustration #instaart #sketch #contemporaryart #draw #artoftheday #creative #artgallery #watercolor #color #gallery #arte #artsy #fineart #illustrator #sketchbook #modernart #watercolour https://www.instagram.com/p/Btd-EmXBCZV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xqtr80e9cc7u

[alexakarabin]

So, today is the start of the official #the100dayproject! If you don’t know what that is, check it out. It is a bunch of folks all around the world doing a creative project for 100 days. I did my first project last year, and it was a transformative experience, to say the least. I saw my work gradually evolve over the 100 days. I got better, more creative, and I eventually started inventing techniques that I have never seen before. #my100daysofcolor ended up being a breakthrough project. That is why I have decided to publish my first book documenting the project. It will be a 50 page book illustrating each painting from the project with some extra stuff too. For the next 100 days I will share parts of the progress of getting this thing together. I have never done this before, so it should be an adventure! . . . . . . . #art #painting #bumblebee #beeart #bees #watercolor #goldleaf #gilding #my100daysofwritingsomething #my100daysofcolorbook #bookpublishing #artbook #book #moonart #celestial #natureart #aceo #tinypainting #100dayproject #entomology #insectart https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxZW2gD8fx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16ko7blmx7w89

[alexakarabin]

A little lacewing for you. I am working on my writing behind the scenes. I am preparing to combine #my100daysofwritingsomething with the #marchmeetthemaker prompts, for some more involved posts. Also, I will have a shop update this weekend. 🐝 . . . . . . #art #illustration #drawing #draw #socialenvy #picture #artist #sketch #sketchbook #paper #pen #pencil #artsy #instaart #beautiful #instagood #gallery #masterpiece #creative #photooftheday #instaartist #graphic #graphics #artoftheday #beautiful #abstracto #stayabstract #instaabstract https://www.instagram.com/p/BuIJWdMhVj-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=896hyjib895x

[alexakarabin]

It’s getting warmer out! Yay! I can’t wait to see some toads and frogs and dragonflies. 🌞 . . . . . . . #toads #frogs #dragonflies #toadsofinstagram #amphibians #marchmeetthemaker #my100daysofwritingsomething #interiordesign #decor #artstudio #contemporarydecor #sparkle #goldleaf #gold #gilded #moon #sun #decor #golddecor #handmadewatercolor #watercolor #paint https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmXTQxBQrg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vycm78h49kml

[alexakarabin]

I don’t know what to write about today. There are a lot of ideas running through my head. But also nothing in particular to go on about. I mostly took care of Brennan and Rose, and ran errands during the day. In the last hour, I was finally able to finish the new series of moons. I will post the ones that are still available later this week. . #artstudio #artpractice #moonpainting #painting #watercolor #mixedmedia #goldleaf #gilding #luna #lunar #skyart #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #100daysofwriting https://www.instagram.com/p/Bso8t-ejAJf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v79ckhn6onuv

[alexakarabin]

Today was just a something day. At least I finished this rosy maple. #my100daysofwritingsomething . . . . . . . #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #interiordesign #designinspo #entomology #nature #natureinspired #the100dayproject #painting #watercolor #rosymaple #moth #mothart #insectart #art #decor #interiordesign https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs_-ub6DllF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18t58sxe9qzmt

[alexakarabin]

A blue bee in an antique frame. I have collected antique frames for years. Finally, I have some paintings that work perfectly in some of them. 😃 . . . . . . . #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #homedesign #homedecor #interiordesign #home #design #interior #decor #interiors #decoration #homesweethome #luxury #style #inspiration #architecture #interior4all #interiordesigner #homestyle #furniture #interiorstyle #lifestyle #instahome #interiordecor #wallpaper #designer #interiorinspiration #homestyling #instadecor #homedecoration https://www.instagram.com/p/BuFj4y8h4cC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1viikeaj16w5h

[alexakarabin]

Oh my goodness, I have been bad about getting things up on the blog. I have written in my journal every day for the last 22 days. Turns out, my writing is a lot of half-finished paragraphs and random thoughts. All good stuff, but not for blog content. So here I am, talking about nothing, again. . Someone suggested I paint a snail, so here we are! I have always wanted to paint a snail. I don’t know. I read this story to my daughter and there is a snail named Gail. I know they are pests to some, but aren’t they interesting and magical too? . #the100dayproject #my100daysofwritingsomething #art #painting #snail #snails #watercolor #watercolour #ink #handmade #magical #nature #natureart #mixedmedia #artblog #arttalk https://www.instagram.com/p/BtM5B7TBpeK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tpi0z0c519kg

[alexakarabin]

Today I went sledding with Brennan and Rose. I was reminded how inspiring winter can be. I am one that easily get caught up in the negative aspects of winter. Season depression hits me hard, and I hate the cold. But today it was so bright, and the snow was light and sparkled like one of my paintings. That paired with watching the joy on my children’s winter kissed faces, how could I not be inspired. I have to remind myself that spring is birthed out of winter. So there must be good in it. I also ran into my high school art teacher. This was a huge thrill, because it was the first time I had seen her since I graduated 13 years ago. So many memories came flooding back. Ugh, the frustrating years of adolescence. The angst, the pain, the agony! Art was my therapy. And now it is my day job. Mrs. Ragotzy was a big part of those first few years, so I have a lot to thank her for. . #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #100dayproject #art #painting #artstudio #artoninstagram #artontumblr #artwork #watercolor #watercolour #mixedmedia #kalamazoo #michigan #inkpainting https://www.instagram.com/p/BsmQSW6D_1B/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bfmlp53z2q58

[alexakarabin]

It’s going to be -11 degrees tonight. Ugh, I hate it. It was a great day though, because I spent it dancing with my babies. Now I am in my studio painting and planning projects. Still catching up from being sick. It will probably be a long night. . . #art #painting #watercolor #watercolour #handmade #gilding #goldleaf #snail #snails #nature #natureart #snailart #decor #gold #grandrapids #kalamazoo #michigan #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #the100dayproject2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/BtPcnbZBZbl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q3l4y2wat0z7

[alexakarabin]

Hmmm 🤔What do you call a bunch of snails? I wanted to say swarm, but that cannot be right. Today I worked behind the scenes prepping some things to start photographing paintings for my book! I also painted some 🐌 snails! ❤️🌑 . . . . . . #snails #painting #art #moon #sky #snail #snailart #watercolor #goldleaf #gilding #gildedart #natureart #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #my100daysofcolorbook #toadsofinstagram #naturedecor #magicalart #glitterart #glass #artistry https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv0NJoAjI_X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bdgfrooybezj

[alexakarabin]

I am often asked at art fairs how long I have been doing this. And I always say, forever. I had an overwhelming impulse to make things from a young age. I think this is fairly common amongst artists. My clearest memory is sewing quilts, and creatures, and things. Then, I tried to work with every material and technique I could get my hands on. I am an only child, and I was always trying to occupy my mind. But the impulse never went away. Except after graduate school for a handful of years, but that’s a story for another day. . Other artists out there, what is your experience? When did you start your journey as an artist? . . . #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #painting #artist #artstudio #watercolor #watercolour #mixedmedia #100daysofwriting #blogging #artistblog #fineart #drawing #kalamazoo #chicagoartist #luna #lunamoth #mothart #insectart #insects #entomology #sky #moon #moth https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs300RJDhua/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w2vos48q8h2q

[alexakarabin]

This one turned out so elegant. Don’t let the glitter deter you. These paintings are like sparkling diamonds. I want the glitter to be a symbol for innocence. But I also want it to catch your attention from across the room. #marchmeetthemaker . . . . . . . #proudof #dragonfly #gold #goldleaf #glitter #glass #dragonflyart #art #artist #artstudio #kalamazoo #annarbor #michigan #meettheartist #my100daysofwritingsomething #saicalumni #glitterart #stars #starart #moonart #environment #circle #geometry #geometricart #sparkleart #memory #insectart #homedecor #contemporarydecor #interiordesign #watercolor #watercoloronpanel https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUawTJDXFI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14rzvyft5k039

[alexakarabin]

Fu…dge. Here I am, on my second day, already at a loss for words. So, I will just tell you about my day, which consisted of mostly filling out applications for summer art fairs. Boring, tedious, and nerve wracking because, well, now we wait. No matter what stage you are at as an artist, it is a life filled with highs and lows. And the rejections fricking sting. I also started a few small paintings of moons. I realized today that I sold every moon I made in 2018. It is important for me to always have a painting of a moon, a luna moth, a morpho butterfly, and a portrait of my grandmother in my studio at all time. I don’t know why, it just is. So, it is time to get painting. Thank you for all of your comments and words of encouragement yesterday. It really means a lot! ❤️ #my100daysofwritingsomething #the100dayproject #art #painting #artstudio #artistlife #artislife #paintingstudio #artwork #moon #moonart #celestial #moons #luna #lunar #sky #night #nighttime #nighttimeart #nightart https://www.instagram.com/p/BsZiyw4DRrX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hdpjfa91vai1

[alexakarabin]

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A post shared by Alexa K.🌑 (@alexakarabin)

I wish I could describe what is going on in my studio right now. The sparkle in these three is so captivating. But I can’t capture it in a photo or video! Frustrating. These pieces really need to be seen in person. I think it’s time for another exhibition. I just don’t know where. Or how. Or when. I’ll figure it out. Let me know if you have any suggestions! . . . . . . #art #painting #portrait #tarantula #tarantulaart #tarantulas #glass #goldleaf #glitter #watercolor #acrylic #stars #starart #moonart #moonstone #my100daysofwritingsomething https://www.instagram.com/p/BvM42dUjdQT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15mxfw6kscq98