Venture Here and There 
One year ago we welcomed a potato shaped dog into our family. You guys, Gladys sheds, she needs to be fed, her poop has to be cleaned up and my dear Lord, her farts could kill, BUT I take it all because she is the very best decision our family of four has made. She loves (maybe tolerates) my family, but she has bonded deeply to me. At times it is a little overwhelming to have yet another thing witnessing my daily bathroom visits but her unbridled joy upon seeing me is everything. . . . #adoptdontshop @bigbonescaninerescue #bulldogsofinatagram #englishbulldogsofinatagram #mypetsfavorite #sheisthebestbehaved #petportraits
Posted on November 19, 2019 Leave a Comment
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Can we please talk about goals for Christmas?! I am going into this holiday season being intentional about all of it. One of my goals is to A. Have all of my shopping done by December 1st and B. Buy as many gifts from real life makers/small business owners/creatives, as possible. This might mean my people might get less #stuff but they will get more meaning. For my own business I am TREMENDOUSLY grateful for those who buy from me when we all know @hobbylobby basically gives crap for free. What are you doing with your money this holiday season? . . . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #christmasgoals #giftlist #coloradoartist #buylocal #giftguide #tistheseason #artistoninstagram #buyart #handmade #handmadegift #thoughtfulgift #intentionalgifting #nomorestuff #hope #momswhomake #mob #altsummit
Posted on November 18, 2019 Leave a Comment
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This pup was made for a bride for a special person who was part of her wedding day. What a great gift idea, seriously. Still a few custom spots left if you are interested. . . @bridalmag.de @coloradobridesmag @curatedenver #petportrait #weddingparty #weddinggift #giftidea @coloradobridalshow .
Posted on November 6, 2019 Leave a Comment
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Happy Tuesday 🤗 This week we are neck deep in custom orders and we couldn’t be more excited. Nab your spot before it’s too late! . . . #commissionsopen #customart #bigbonescaninerescue #bulldogsofinstagram #coloradoartist #buylocal
Posted on November 5, 2019 Leave a Comment
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When @bitesizedfitness and @bitesizedsis approached me last year about doing a glitter piece I said YES then I remembered that I had no idea how to add glitter… but guys, I figured it out. And glitter adds something special 😍 You are either a glitter person or not, there is no in between. Am I right? #petportrait #glitter #animalsofinstagram #petsifinatagram #catsofinstagram #meow #kittens
Posted on November 3, 2019 Leave a Comment
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Do you ever get so caught up in what’s next that you forget how much you have learned and grown? Here is your PSA to give yourself all the grace when thinking about your past self. You are magnificent. . . . @morganharpernichols #grace #artistsoninstagram #glennondoylemelton #coloradoart #fallvibes
Posted on November 2, 2019 Leave a Comment
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Guys… guess what… commissions are flippin’ open! I am only opening a limited number of spots so don’t wait! #petportraits #commissionsopen #petsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #yorkiesofinstagram #giftidea #animallover @theellenshow
Posted on November 1, 2019 Leave a Comment
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So once upon a time about 4 years ago a dear friend of mine reached out to me and commissioned this piece for her dad’s birthday. At the time I wasn’t creating any art, I was writing which was a miracle because I was drowning DROWNING in postpartum hormones and every single day was a struggle. My friend remembered that I had talent or at least remembered that I loved my time creating so she reached out and wanted a 30×30 original painting and I said yes. Every step of the way I doubted myself and asked for advice and questioned my decisions but I am so proud of this piece you guys, and I am so unbelievably thankful to my friend who saw something in me especially at a time when I desperately needed a win. What I am saying is, go support a local artist, it could change their life, hell, it could change yours too. . . . #gobuyart #weaternart #fall #fallcolors #cowboy #rurallife #bethechange #acrylic #coloradoartist #artistofinstagram #starvingartist #postpartum #momswhocreate #mentalhealth #buylocal
Posted on October 31, 2019 Leave a Comment
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I live in the town I grew up in…there I said it. Returning here after living abroad was VERY HARD. Reverse culture shock was so much harder than getting used to Chinese culture, and I am even talking about the spitting and the lack of personal space. I had gotten used to life abroad and life in a mega-city. I have to admit that it was my ego that wouldn’t shut up about moving home, as a high school teacher I hear all of the time how these kids will “never ever move back here” and I was no different at that age. Part of me felt that I was letting down my 17 year old self. But the truth is I love living here (at least some of the time 🤣) and while I wish I could change some specific things about this place I try to remember there is no perfect town…. right? We have a pretty good gig here, I love my job, our kids are LOVED by so many neighbors and friends, and AND grandparents live down the street with another set that lives 20 minutes away, this adds so much more love/help/community to our DAILY lives. So I am working on loving this place harder and doing my part to make the things that frustrate me, change. . . So this Friday, in little ole Stratton, my mom and I are putting on our 4th First Friday local art exhibit. If you are in the area, please, please come out. Also, the book by @melodywarnick called “This is Where You Belong” is definitely worth a read if you share my sentiment about your current town. #smalltowns #rurallife #bethechange #coloradoartist #coloradoart #artistofinstagram #firstfriday #strattonfirstfriday #watertower #sunset #bloomwhereyouareplanted🌷 #artshow #easterncolorado #artistsoninstagram #lovelife #thisiswhereyoubelong #smallpopulation #ranchlife #farmlife #stratton
Posted on October 30, 2019 Leave a Comment
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This is the face Gladys makes when she is asking ‘pretty please let’s go on a walk’ How can I ever say no to this?! This Friday I am opening Christmas commissions. Does someone you love have a pet as cute as this that needs to be in a portrait? 🤗🤗🤗 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #giftidea #commissionsopen #tellmewhatyouwant #almostchristmas #bigbonescaninerescue #englishbulldog #bulldogsofinstagram #petsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #lookatthatface
Posted on October 29, 2019 Leave a Comment
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Venture Here and There 