When My Season of Life Changed, My Art Changed Too

I though I had it figured out.

I used to be a decorative painter.

I was someone who painted decoration on furniture, cabinets, and walls. Big projects with clients.

Big projects need big amounts of paint, larger brushes, more equipment, and a bigger space to work in. Set up is a lot of work, taping off everything that doesn’t get painted. At the end of the day, a lot more cleanup; the floors, tools, ladders, equipment, everything.

Next day, you do it all again until the job is complete.

Then, it changed.

After about 7 years, my husband got sick (he’s good now) and our lives changed. I chose to stop pursuing more big paint projects.

I still needed to create, but I had to make my practice fit our lives.

Now I work small.

It’s taken a few years to transition from those big projects to my small work and I love it more than I expected.

Why it works

Working small lets me stop and start. I usually have everything I need right in front of me (with my Come Back Box). My tools are simpler. My materials are close at hand. If I get distracted or need to step away, I can. My project waits for me. No deadline.

I don’t always know what I’m doing

Most of what I make now is an experiment. I’m constantly trying out new things to make.

These small pieces often hold bits of memory and small important moments. They are not necessarily for the general public. They are for me.

Where I am now

Looking back, I can see that this change has led me toward more meaningful work. I began choosing projects that matched my energy and my rhythm. That made creating feel easier and more personal.

Small pieces became places to hold memories. Photos. Scraps. Handwriting. Stories. Not just for display, but for keeping.

I’m still experimenting. Still learning. Still surprised by how much meaning can live in a small piece.

And now I want to share that experimentation with you to help you bring meaning into your creative life.

If your season has shifted, your art can shift too.

Smaller does not mean less important.

Smaller can hold more of what really matters.