Creative Practice as Sanctuary: New Mountain Landscapes
January 2026 Studio Update
hi there,
I hope this finds you safe and warm after an inspiring start to the new year. We had a lovely trip to Idaho to be with family.
With all the chaos and struggle in the world right now, it feels more important than ever to focus on bringing positivity into daily life. When I m feeling overwhelmed with challenging emotions, or faced with questions about the meaning of life in a world over-run by greed and aggression, I make art.
I take my sketch pad and bottle of blue ink to the hilltop, and I sit down and sketch what is in front of me. It may not be realistic, or even recognizable. But it’s an expression of the moment, and it helps mark the occasion in a way that takes me out of any stress or strife. It’s a simple practice of clearing the mind, observing, moving the hand.
When emotions go wild, in reaction to systemic insanity, or your own domestic affairs, it is hard to stay present and peaceful. The media takes advantage of this fact, igniting our worst emotions whenever we check the news. But we don’t have to play this game.
Making art —or any form of creative expression—consistently provides a means of healthy escape from an unquiet mind. If you don’t feel the call to express your own creativity, allow yourself to be transported by another soul’s art. So much great art was created in times of chaos. Art, music, literature, and film allow us to process the quality of the times, or to review a historical time for perspective on our own.
Life has always been a mixed bag of the horrific and the sublime. The quality of our own lives depends on which aspects we choose to focus on. I hope as a collective we will choose wisely.
Crestone Peaks
For the month of January I’m taking part in the Strada Easel plein air challenge, and will upload a new ink sketch every day. This is how I keep my inspiration fresh, sketching quickly and loosely, in ONE color so I don’t get carried away.
The result is a small, simple monochrome drawing that suddenly takes on new depth when framed.
The Crestone Peaks series are offered at a special price through January 31. Sketches are available framed or unframed (choose your frame color on the purchase page), and ship for free in the US.
Tiny Blessings: Original landscape paintings for $60 each
The Tiny Blessings collection is nearing completion! Each piece is a small original landscape created with oil and cold wax on heavy duty watercolor paper.
I’ve had so much fun creating these little mountain landscape paintings filled with color and texture. Each one has an affirmation written on the back to remind you to return to a sense of wellness and gratitude. Don’t we all need more of that?
Shipping is free in the US. View the collection here.
Current Exhibit:
Serendipity Labs
An installation of 24 abstract encaustic wax monotypes in downtown Denver. View the entire collection online here. On view through April 2026.
Stay tuned for more exciting upcoming exhibits later this year!
New Year Intention Setting
The 5 Day End of Year online retreat is now finished, but the recordings are still available—so there is still time to set your intentions!
While January is a powerful time of new beginnings and transitions, I always find it more appropriate to think of the year beginning on the lunar calendar - which is coming up in February. This is a perfect time to wrap up your year and set aligned intentions.
This online retreat is also included as part of the paid Substack subscription, so if you want to upgrade you’ll get access to this program, plus all past and future programs included on the Art of Awakening on Substack.
May the new year bring you peace and prosperity.
Kim
I love love love your art! You have a style similar to Nicholas Roerich. Like him, your paintings aren't about external landscapes but the inner landscapes of soul. 💛💛💛
Lovely! (I thought of you today as I sat early with the cat and before the sun..)