Studio Files .05

Color, Portugal and seeking inspiration.

Jan 07, 2025

“There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed.” ― Kate Douglas Wiggin, “New Chronicles of Rebecca”

There is nothing like travel to make us connect and discover new parts of ourself.

Any shift in my routine + locale seems too opens me to think more freely, to notice small details of art / color / beauty, to become a stranger in my life again.

An invitation to get quiet and become an observer - something as an adult we so rarely get to do.

I think it’s one of the biggest gifts of travel, this departure from our known. A chance to try new foods, new experiences, explore cultures and streets unfamiliar, opening ourselves up to the beauty of the unknown.

I feel like the vacation version of me is often my best self. Living a bit freer, a bit more curious and a somehow more rested - I am lighter on my feet and in my spirit and happier on a return home.

Recently returned from a trip to Lisbon and Cercal, Portugal, I am welcoming these subtle shifts in my days :

Capsule wardrobe. I love the simplification of living out of a suitcase. Fewer choices, limited palette, only my favorite pieces win. I’m planning a major closet edit and refresh. I’m looking forward to a pared down rotation of elevated basics with a few wow pieces sprinkled in.

Embracing homemade. My main destination in Portugal was this remote sustainable hotel. Most vegetarian meals were prepared onsite, using local ingredients. I loved the variety of meals and flavors and since home am focusing more on in-season produce. I’m even trying my hand at sourdough bread using this local organic flour. Experienced bakers, share all the tips, please!

Set aside daily time to learn, to rest, to walk. My trip was built around a painting retreat - something I had committed to over a year ago to improve my painting skills. The format of the day was such a gift to me as a solo-artist-entrepreneur. I tend to focus each day on what I can ‘complete’ vs what I can learn / start / practice. Each day of the retreat began with learning time in the morning, followed by a focus practice session to apply our learning. Next a mid day break, with some time for rest and walking. Followed by another painting session, to work on our own art. This formula of study, assignment, rest, application was perfect for my brain and something I’m incorporating into my own studio practice.

Make new friends. As an adult, making new friends can be challenging. As an adult in a new city, working-from-home, even harder. This trip connected me to 16 like-minded creatives, reminding me the power of friendship and community. I’m now asking myself how I can take more risks to build new connections in my daily life.

Simplify. Make do. Learn, rest, build. Make friends.

Seems like pretty good formula for a pretty good life.

Keep me accountable, will you?

Things that are inspiring me these days :

Something about the fresh start of the New Year always inspires me to freshen our living space. I’ve been reading up on how to live like a minimalist - craving a bit more of a clean slate in our home. Decluttering closets, books, table tops and kitchen utensils is where I’m starting this year, and these interiors are inspiring me to keep going. I love the natural light in each of these images, the mostly neutral palette, and the absolute abolishment of clutter. Maybe that’s what January is for - a clearing and cleaning to make room for the new year ahead.
I’m a big book nerd, always a precariously large stack sitting bedside in various states of completion. I love perusing the year-end best book lists to add titles to my stack. My favorites lists to cull from : NYT, Barack Obama, Oprah, and this Cup of Jo post with 1.5k comments on reader’s top 3 books of all time. Love to hear your faves below!
My January playlist, currently playing in the background of my studio, is the perfect chill vibe I’m craving for this fresh month.
Slowly starting to dream about 2025 and collecting images, words, thoughts here. Not sure where I will end up with setting intentions for the year - but I know that my mind always likes to start with the collecting (chaos) before I can curate (organize) for the year ahead.

xx.

Jill