Taking breaks are so important. I’ve gotten better at it this year. It’s very flexible and requires me to really pay attention to my emotions and energy levels. Sometimes I feel burnt out and need to rest… and other times I’m feel empty and realize I need to pick up the paints again.

My kiddos insisted that we all do Inktober together again this year. I’ve got my Sumi ink out and … learning. I don’t normally do anything in ink and I’m not drawing any of these prior to ink. They are helpful studies and I’m enjoying my “I suck at this” phase. Practice is fun. #Inktober2026

My neighbor’s cat came by for another visit today. Out of all the cat I know… he’s my fav.

One of my favorites from a couple of years ago. I wish I could find some more succulents to photograph for reference. These were so enjoyable to paint. #painting

Harvested some more eggplants. I’m not sure how to get them to grow bigger or faster. But has a novice gardener, I’m still pretty amazed I’m able to eat from my garden at all.

A work in progress painting I was able to work on again today.

✨Dropped 5 new prints today! ✨ Spring is already sold out. (It says it’s available for pre-order but it’s technically not. I’m going to fix that when I can get back to my computer) www.danielledoctor.com

This piece won beat in show! 😭 I’m having trouble processing! But I’m so shocked and happy!

Art Festival is going well! ☀️

Updating inventory on my website. After the festival tomorrow, I’ll be releasing some of the new prints. And I’ve made a permanent $5 price drop on prints. 🥳 www.danielledoctor.com

They’re back! ♥️

I made new business cards and I love them! ✨

Mats! ✨

All the paintings I finished this summer… getting a coat of varnish today! #art #painting

Two more paintings I finished this week. I love painting grids, so these little abstracts were really fun to do. ✨🍁🌷 #painting #smallart #abstract

Finished a few paintings this week. This is one of them. #watermixableoil #painting #art

First harvest of year two attempting gardening. These casper eggplants were really delicious.

Getting started on the last color block piece for the festival. I’m so excited to finish these up this week. 🌻🍁❄️🌷

Here are a few prints I sell on my website. They are 5” x 7” and come in an 8” x 10” mat. I get them printed on high quality paper and package them myself. 🫶 www.danielledoctor.com

Finished it!! 🥳 Here’s a video because it’s still wet and too shiny to photograph right now. Once it’s dry, I’ll varnish it, photograph it properly, and make prints. Those should be available mid September. #painting #art

Here are a few prints I sell on my website. They are 5” x 7” and come in an 8” x 10” mat. I get them printed on high quality paper and package them myself. 🫶 www.danielledoctor.com

Trying to finish all these (plus two others) in the next two weeks so they have enough time to dry to be varnished before the art festival. A few are very close to being complete… so I’m hopeful and working hard.

I’ve been trying to fit in 4 hours of painting a day. It’s pretty difficult. I’ve been able to get in a couple of daylight hours and a couple of late night hours. I honestly don’t know how I used to work full time when I completed grad school with 2 toddlers. Time seems to work differently now.

Another work in progress painting

The eggplants are growing!! It’s been dropping its flowers all summer, so I’m super excited to see the fruit is actually growing this time. Yay!

My birthday presents! 🥰 Three needed replacements and three new colors to try!

Painting a bee 🐝

These aren’t quite done yet, but I love them. Working on these has been sooo relaxing and enjoyable.

I found a few paintings that I had abandoned that I now have newly found motivation to finish… so I’m working on ten paintings at once. Here’s one from two years ago. #workinprogress #painting

My entire “studio” is just a desk. I’ve been pondering if I’d ever rent a space if I could afford it… and I don’t think I would because I’d have to leave my house and that would create an obstacle.