Upcycled Life

Sometimes the most beautiful creations start with what we already have—a few shreds of paper, a twisted paper clip, and a spark of inspiration. I've been wanting to make a miniature hot air balloon out of recycled pieces and baubles. To me, that balloon represents life itself, as it is stitched together, sometimes shaky, but still capable of ascending. When we take the crumbs from life and make them into something shining, we discover a quiet type of enchantment. It serves as a reminder that even when things seem little or unsure, there is beauty to be found just where we are. Because life is indeed lovely, if we just seek for it.

I am thrilled to enter into the Ko-fi challenge this October 2025! My squirrel illustration is something that I have imagined in my mind to include in my new Silly Woodland Creatures Coloring Book that will be published soon! I am grateful for the Ko-fi platform to give me this opportunity to share my work with others! I believe that we all deserve the RIGHT to a childhood!  

As an oil painter, I am always chasing reflective light wherever I find it. R&F Oil Sticks  R&F Oil Sticks - flexibility of being in a stock form but has the richness of oil paint. Boar Bristle Brush set Boar Bristle Brush Set - captures the light I see on my painting adventures. Portable French Easel French Easel - perfect for painting outside in the elements.  Whether it’s morning sun spilling across old clapboards or the warm afternoon glow resting on a stone wall, light fascinates me. Each painting becomes a small journey of discovery not about reaching a destination, but about savoring the process, the texture, and the quiet moment when everything glows just right. When I paint, I think of my tools almost as friends. Each brush, stencil, and pigment has its own task — and each one helps me translate what I see in my mind’s eye. I often use oil sticks to create broad, creamy passages of color that blend beautifully with traditional tube oils. One of my...