Musings: August

The last time I wrote here, I shared thoughts on the necessity of creative rest—the way it often arrives without permission, tangled in discomfort, and yet how vital it is to the process. I didn’t know then that I was on the edge of a much deeper pause. One that would carry me through most of the summer.

For weeks, I didn’t pick up a paintbrush. I barely touched social media.

What I did do was listen—to my body, to the stillness, to that quiet whisper that said, slow down.

There was no dramatic unraveling. Just a gradual softening. A pull toward books, silence, and other mediums of expression that asked nothing of me but presence. I didn’t feel rushed to return. I trusted that if I allowed space, something new would eventually begin to form.

And it has.

Mind you, this came after weeks of frustration with my craft—that uncomfortable stretch where nothing felt quite right. Where everything I made felt just a little off. But I trusted the pause. I’ve been here before, and I’ve learned that pushing only delays the inevitable breakthrough. I gave it space, and eventually, the energy shifted. I suppose you could say my trust muscle is strong in that regard.

Now, I’m painting again—and something feels different. There’s a deeper steadiness in the work. Each piece arrives with less effort and more ease. There is no second-guessing, no spiral of overthinking. Just brush, canvas, movement. It feels like a return, but with new eyes. Less pressure, more presence.

There’s a calmness in this season. A clarity I haven’t felt in a while. I’ve been leaning into discipline—not in a rigid sense, but as ritual. As a way to stay grounded when my spirit wants to float too far into the ether. Repetition, rhythm, and a slower pace are helping me rebuild the scaffolding of my practice.

Outside the studio, the house has been another kind of canvas. We’ve been slowly chipping away — repairing cracked plaster in the guest room, installing lighting, finding a rug that feels right in the living room now that I’ve finished the roman clay. I've been sourcing pieces that speak to the long-term vision rather than the quick fix. It’s all linked here on my Shop My page — both the things I’ve purchased and the things I simply love.

More than anything, this season has felt honest—unrushed, unpolished, and exactly as it needed to be.

Wherever you are in your own rhythm, I hope you find a bit of stillness this week. A flicker of inspiration. A quiet knowing.

New work is on the horizon—arriving early October, and made with a steadier hand and a clearer heart.

xx,

Jordan

My outdoor studio:

Currently without a studio for a few months, but I’m not complaining. My days lately are spent in 95 degree heat, painting under our oak tree.

Home Updates:

Light fixtures are beginning to arrive. Everything I’ve purchase I’ve gotten on discount! These sconces for the dining room are affordable yet chic.

I ordered a few different rugs for our living room and none of them looked like the photos online! Finally, I found one I love! This cotton / wool blend in a mushroom grey & bone tone. It’s incredibly soft and a great price for the quality.

Guest Room in Progress - repairing the plaster & smoothing out the wall texture. Next up: painting & closet install.

Still need to paint our doors, but love this paint color for our walls and trim - “Figueroa” by Portola Paints (shown at 25% strength in this room.)