Jen Lushbough

Blossoms on the way to the beach with my babes. 🌸🌊👧👧👨💗

I’m feeling like the luckiest human on the planet. Sunshine. Flowers. ART!! Amazing people. Beach. Ocean. FOOD.

Today was a good day.

I hope you had some good in your day, too. 💗

January has always been the hardest month for me. The natural world has slowed its pace - winter is a time to rest and settle in, not a time for new beginnings and renewed commitment to hustle harder. I remind myself of this when my brain tells me I “should” be doing more, making more, being more. Painting helps me to quiet that pesky voice and reminds me to slow down. Be patient. Be kind to yourself. You don’t have to earn your rest (but if we did have to, girl, you’ve earned it).

Hi, friends! I wanted to share this little corner of our home. It gives me so much joy. It’s always evolving because the things that light me up tend to change often.

Right now, we have a beautiful orchid which was a gift, photo of Lily above an original she created at age 4, and an abstract original by me amongst other things.

A little holiday-themed color mixing today. Playing with color is something I love to do. It’s especially good for me when I’m feeling overwhelmed, over-stimulated, and just plain over it. I don’t have to think and the repetition quiets the guilt complex in my brain.

How do you get through the holiday stress?

I have this thing where I want to name all of my paintings “Gratitude.” It feels very Chris Traeger (iykyk) and I’m 100% good with that. However, I also recognize that perhaps the gratitude is present in every painting and I can allow myself to branch out in the naming process.

Untitled.
original watercolor on 100% cotton paper

This piece and others will be available on 12/03 - link in bio ✨

This original watercolor is a result of letting myself get a little uncomfortable. There are parts I’m not quite comfortable with and parts that I adore in this painting. It’s a reminder to me that I can hold two truths at once. I can be uncomfortable and still feel joy.

This piece and a handful of others will be available on my website site this weekend. It would mean the world to me if you joined my newsletter so I can remind you when things go live. The link is in my bio.

The beautiful reference photo is courtesy of the lovely 💗 It’s a beach on Lake Ontario near Toronto.

Peeped some leaves this weekend, as you do when you are a Duluthian. Damn, Mama Nature - quite a show this year! The photos cannot do these colors justice. They are super saturated, verging on fluorescent. So good. So fleeting. I want to capture all of it and tuck it away for the long months ahead. 🍁

Slowly returning to a familiar rhythm in my studio, and it feels amazing. New work is coming soon. Here’s a little sneak peek. 💛

I spent a few hours this afternoon with some lovely humans doing some mark making. In the zoom class focusing on the art of Etel Adnan, Melanie encouraged us to experiment with color. She described Etel Adnan as “she loves what she loves” which I interpreted as unapologetic curiosity. She loves color and she loves playing with color. And that’s what I want to do, too.

It’s so interesting to study others’ art and think about what it is we like about a certain piece. I like to think of myself as a color combination curator. This was an awesome class. 💗

Just a few things that have made me smile over the last several days. It has been a busy few weeks and I’m trying hard to remember to notice these things.

I’d love to know what made you smile this week. 😊

New season, same Lake.
💗🌊💗
I’ve enjoyed my short break from scrolling and posting, and now I’m looking forward to my favorite season. The kids are back at school which means days in the studio for me again. Getting into new rhythms and routines, and trying new things, too.

What are you bringing to this new season? What are you leaving behind?

Mark Rothko, No. 14, at SFMoMA - Every time I'm in front of this painting, it hits me hard. I’ve basically ugly cried standing right here. I can't really explain why, but I guess I get what he meant by saying he had a 'religious experience' while painting it. Not religious myself, but this painting just gets me. It’s visceral.

Is there a piece of art that gets you every time?

Hey, friend! 💕 Sharing this watercolor piece with you today and it's got me reflecting on something so important: the power of experimenting in both art and life. Our journey as artists (and humans) is all about trying new things, taking risks, and discovering our true potential.

So today I’m going to invite you to embrace the process together, knowing that growth comes from the courage to explore the unknown. We may not know where we’re going but we’ll go together. 🧡

🌟 Progress over perfection, always! 🌟 Life isn't about reaching some elusive state of perfection, but about embracing growth, learning, and stepping out of our comfort zones. Every small step forward counts, no matter how imperfect it may seem. Today let's celebrate the journey, the ups and downs, and the beautiful messiness of it all.

I am a self-taught watercolor artist, navigating my way through colors and emotions. It hasn't been easy—I've grappled with imposter syndrome, doubting my abilities and questioning if I belong. But despite the struggles, I continue to choose the path of paint and brush.

Watercolor has become my sanctuary, where imperfections transform into unique expressions. Each stroke carries a piece of my soul, a reminder that art transcends qualifications and credentials.

So here I stand, embracing the journey with all its ups and downs. Through perseverance, I am finding my own style, my own voice. It is good.

I got to spend the (virtual) evening with the lovely who graciously shared her thoughts on painting Petri dishes. A few takeaways for me:

I will always have an initial excitement phase when I try a new thing.

That initial excitement gives me so much joy and is almost as rewarding as doing the actual thing (am I describing a dopamine addiction? Is that a thing?)

The new thing might come easily to me but I will always hit a spot where it gets a little tougher. I can push through that and get to a place where I really love the process and the result.

I can see many more Petri paintings in my daily practice. It’s a great way to loosen up, play, and let it flow.

Hey friends! I wanted to share this thought with you. What if we stopped being what we think others want us to be, and start being who we know we are?

It's taken me a while to get here, and it’s totally a progress not perfection thing. I’m learning to trust my gut as a Manifesting Generator and follow my heart on this life journey. I used to struggle to explain my multi-passionate self to others and felt like people judged me for being flaky or not following through. When I shifted away from making clothing for kiddos, I felt such a strange mix of guilt, relief, sadness, freedom… Truthfully, I felt like I was letting people down.

But now, I'm embracing my multi-passionate uniqueness as a superpower and it feels amazing! So, here's to all of us who are multi-passionate and figuring it out one step at a time. Cheers to following our hearts and trusting our instincts! 🎨💕

Spring is coming, friends! I will be celebrating the with friends at on the vernal equinox tomorrow - Monday, March 20 from 4-7pm - and you’re invited!!

Let’s toast to earlier sunrises, later sunsets, and abundant growth. Oh, and we’ll also have treats and shopping… Did I mention treats?!?

If you’re local, I would love to see you there. If you’re not local, maybe I’ll see you next time. ☺️

When a friend invites you to watch the sunrise over Lake Superior, you say, "Yes! I'm in!” even though it means waking up early on a Saturday morning. And the return on investment is huge.

So many of my favorites in one spot: friendship, peace, nature, beauty. Finding tranquility in the beauty of winter’s stillness. A gentle reminder to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel my feelings. The fact that this lake is always here for me fills me with gratitude and the metaphor is not lost on me.

Prints are coming soon. I am so excited to share them with you. If you’re excited to let me share them with you, please consider signing up for the (totally not annoying and definitely not selling your information) newsletter. You’ll be the first to know! - link in bio ✨

Okay, friends. I need your help. I have so many new pieces to share with you, and I’m beyond excited. But I’m struggling with how to name my paintings. Do they get a number? Do they get a word? How much overthinking really needs to be involved here?

Thoughts? How do people name art?

It is not realistic to expect to be happy all the time. We aren’t meant to operate in that way. Instead, we can allow ourselves to experience moments of joy, moments of contentment. I hope you have a chance today to say or think or feel, “if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”

original watercolor, 9”x12” on 300lb paper - DM for details

This morning, I was having a hard time. Here’s what helped me: connecting with my people.

It seems so simple when I type it out like that. Of course you connect with your people when you need help and love and support. That’s why they’re your people!!

I just needed a reminder today.

I want to share just a couple of my favorite moments in this watercolor piece. I’m working larger (16”x24”) and using some new-to-me techniques. It’s been a little challenge for me. The larger size demands a different pace. I feel more like I have to have a plan (I’m not a planner) and then I get a bit anxious. I have to really be aware and make sure that those feelings don’t end up in the painting. A long ramble, but I hope you enjoy and come back to see the finished piece.

Teeny tiny paintings in teeny tiny frames. Why are things so much cuter when they’re miniature? 😍 These little ones are spoken for, but I’m totally into these… maybe you’ll see them in my shop soon?

Feeling grateful and inspired by this golden sunset over Lake Superior. Such beauty reminds me to stop and appreciate the moments in life that fill me with wonder. Also, my kids now tease me for my constant desire to photograph the lake, the sky, the rocks… apparently it’s “cringey?!” 😂

Gratitude and joy often go hand in hand. When I witness beauty, I feel gratitude. I think that gratitude helps me to move toward more joy. What an amazing cycle to get stuck in, right?

Untitled, original watercolor on paper