From the Studio
Reflections on painting, process, and the quiet practice of showing up to create.
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Becoming an Artist by Showing Up
After more than 20 years of painting, I never thought of myself as an artist — it was simply something I did. In this reflective post, I explore how persistence, practice, and the desire to keep painting matter more than talent alone. Inspired by the life of Vincent van Gogh and his relentless dedication to…
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Vincent van Gogh’s Early Life & Faith — A Calm Art History Experience
Vincent van Gogh’s early life was shaped by quiet landscapes, deep faith, and a lifelong search for purpose. Long before his paintings became world-famous, Vincent struggled to find where he belonged — moving through roles as an art dealer, teacher, and minister before art slowly entered his life. In this first episode of Calm Art
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Welcome to Small Town Artist: My Creative Journey
Hello and welcome to Small Town Artist! I’m Lisa Olson, a Minnesota-based artist who has been painting with watercolors and acrylics for over two decades. Living in rural East Central Minnesota, I’ve always been inspired by the beauty of small-town life—flowers blooming in the garden, landscapes that shift with the seasons, and the everyday details
