✨ In my newest YouTube video, I show you step by step how to embellish a print from my Living Water Series. If you’d rather not pick up a brush, I can do the embellishing for you—turning your print into the closest thing to an original painting.

It all begins with an idea.

My Studio, My Sanctuary

A peek inside the space where art, beauty, and quiet joy live.

When my husband Will and I built my studio, we poured our hearts into every detail — just like we did with our home. It’s a small and intimate space, but it holds everything I need to create and breathe.

We designed it with intention: from the flush easel wall that allows me to work on multiple paintings at once, to a custom work table that folds open when I need space and tucks away when I don’t. It’s compact but incredibly functional — every piece serves a purpose.

But what matters most to me is how it feels to work in here.

The walls are a soft, warm white so my colorful paintings can shine. Nearly every inch is covered in art — bold colors, layered textures, stories in progress. I’ve softened the space with a vintage rug in my signature palette of oranges, blues, and greens, and tucked in plants wherever I can. A string of lights glows softly overhead, casting warmth across the room. And across from my easel sits my grandmother’s vintage loveseat — a perfect spot for sitting back, sipping coffee, and contemplating a painting in process.

Large windows look out over the Ozarks — trees, rolling hills, and on lucky days, deer. The view is a constant reminder of why I create: to reflect the beauty, peace, and wonder that surrounds us.

This space truly is my sanctuary. It’s where I pray, paint, and dream. It’s where I come back to myself.

If you’re someone who values beauty, creativity, and the quiet joy of living intentionally… you’re in the right place.

💌 I’d love to invite you into the Beautiful Life Community — my email circle where I share behind-the-scenes glimpses, new collections, artful inspiration, and little reminders to keep creating a life that feels like home.

Because you were made to create a beautiful life.

What It Takes to Be a Professional Artist

So many people think being an artist is just about putting paint on a canvas. But the truth is — being a professional artist takes so much more. It’s a life built around discipline, dedication, and the belief that beauty matters.

Daily Commitment to Creating

I paint every day — even when inspiration doesn’t feel close by. Being professional means showing up, not waiting for the “muse” to appear. Some days the brush flows effortlessly; other days it feels like a fight. But either way, I show up.

Every painting is built on thousands of quiet hours of practice and layers of learning. That’s why original art carries such depth — it holds time, heart, and story within it.

The Business Side of Art

Behind every painting you see, there is so much unseen work. Photographing each piece. Writing descriptions. Creating prints. Updating my website. Blogging. Posting on social media.

And beyond that, there’s learning marketing, studying SEO, connecting with collectors, and preparing for shows or festivals. It’s spreadsheets, emails, and planning — all woven together with the paint on my easel.

Professionalism means learning skills I never expected: not just how to paint, but how to run a business.

The Heart Behind It All

But underneath all the structure, what really matters is this: I believe beauty heals.

I create not just to decorate walls, but to invite people into a way of seeing and living more beautifully. Each painting I share is a piece of that vision — a reminder that beauty still exists, even in the ordinary.

That’s what it takes to be a professional artist: showing up daily with skill, yes, but also with heart.

Closing

Being a professional artist isn’t easy, but it’s worth every moment. Each brushstroke carries not just paint, but years of learning, hours of work, and the hope that my art brings beauty into your life.

✨ If you’ve ever wondered what goes into a professional artist’s life — this is it: commitment, creativity, and courage.

👉 You can explore my collections of original paintings and prints here: https://www.gretchensharplesstudio.com/shop