Lauren Runyan Designs

I recently had the pleasure of taking an online workshop by on how to make this lovely soft pastel landscape. I haven't played around with pastels in over 20 years.😱 I love how this piece gives off a dreamy impressionist feel. This process was so relaxing and has me thinking I may want to experiment more with this medium.💕

My biggest sale of the year is going on now! Happy shopping!🥳🎁

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
Thank you all for your continued love and support for my small business and for following along with me on this creative journey! I am so grateful for this amazing community. ❤️❤️❤️

Over the past week I have been taking some of my paintings and turning them into patterns. It brings me joy seeing my work on products and things that we use everyday. 🌻🌻🌻

What other items do you think this pattern would look good on?

From idea, to sketch, to paint - I enjoy every part of the creative process. And with every step of the process I get scared I am going to mess it up.😅 However, it is worth the risk when I am satisfied with the final product. And if it doesn't turn out how I would have liked, I know that "practice makes progress". ❤️

Working on another rose illustration to go with my last post. I am hoping to turn these into a pattern.🌸 Have a good weekend everyone!
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We finished wrapping all of our gifts today and are enjoying these last couple days before Christmas.🎄🎁 I usually don't finish until late on Christmas Eve, so it feels nice to be done. How about you? Do you wrap the week beforehand or wait until Christmas Eve?

My biggest sale of the year begins this Wednesday!🎉 Get up to 30% off sitewide! No code needed!
🎁🎁 Valid Wednesday 11-23 through Tuesday 11-29. 🎁🎁

Over the years I have grown to love creating patterns with my artwork. I get excited every time I see my designs on various products. My love for patterns is one of the reasons I decided to take the Leverage Your Art Course this year. We just wrapped up week one and my brain is so full.🤯 I can't wait to see what I will be able to learn over the next 7 weeks!
Poppy note cards and journals are now available for purchase in the shop. Link in profile.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
July marked our one year anniversary of moving to Dubai. 😱 This past year has been such a blessing but it has also been filled with many challenges. It was a difficult year of transitioning especially for my kids, but by God's grace we are beginning to feel settled and are surprisingly getting used to the warm weather.😅 Looking back on this past year I have been encouraged by this verse in Philippians. It reminds us that no matter what our circumstances, we can rejoice and find our contentment in Him.

It is hard believe we are over a week in to December! My kids are counting down the days until Christmas morning. Their anticipation fills our home with such joy and excitement. I love this time of year!💖
Pen: fudenosuke
Paper: Fabriano Cold pressed watercolor paper
Paint: Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton professional watercolor paints
Brush: Princeton Heritage Rounds 2 & 4

Thinking I should add some ornaments on this tree. What do you think?

Hello friends! It has been quite some time since I have posted on my feed, but please know I am still alive! Our family officially moved to Dubai this past July and we have slowly been adjusting to our new life. The photo above is a family photo we recently had taken out in the desert. It was absolutely beautiful to see the sun set over a sea of sand.😍

For those who may be wondering, the business is still up and running! However, since our move, I haven't been able to devote quite as much time to social media. The decision to step back for a bit has been hard, but necessary so that I can be present and more readily available for my kids as they transition to life in a new country. I have been asked so many questions about life here in Dubai and thought that I would take a minute to answer some of those questions here.

1. Why did you move?
My husband has become the head pastor of an International Church here in the city. He has always had a heart for missions and when the opportunity arose for us to move, we felt a great amount of peace that this was where the Lord wanted to plant us.

2. Which aspects of Dubai have been a hard adjustment?
The heat! When we first arrived, it was roughly 107 degrees during the day and 100 at night. Thankfully the temperatures are dropping and are now in the upper 80's during the day and the 70's at night. 

3. How are your kids adjusting?
Overall, my kids have been amazing with how they have handled the many recent changes. We have had our share of good days and bad, but we are thankful that we get to experience this adventure together as a family. In the end, we know it is bringing us closer together.

4. Do the people speak English? 
Yes!! English is one of the main languages and all of the signs and reading materials are mainly in English and Arabic. This is very helpful when driving!

5. What has been your favorite part of Dubai so far?
The people! It has been amazing to meet people from all over the world and we feel very blessed to be able to minister to the needs of those around us. Also, living in a place where it is sunny all day and within walking distance of the beach isn't so bad either ;)

(Continued below)

Hey friends! If you have noticed, I haven't posted much here on IG/FB in quite awhile. Things have been so busy behind the scenes, but today I want to share why. We are moving....to Dubai!!! 🎉🎉 We have come to this decision after many months of prayer and over this past year we have come to see that the Lord is calling our family to serve Him in Dubai where my husband will be a pastor of an International church. A few weeks ago my husband and I made our first trip to visit Dubai and fell in love with the people and the city.

We have lived and served in ministry here in Maryland for 12 years. While we are deeply saddened to leave our family and friends in the States, we are also excited to join God on this great adventure in the UAE.

We will officially move in July. Would you please begin praying for our family? The old hymn's refrain "I need Thee, oh I need Thee; every hour I need Thee" is always true, but it feels especially true in the midst of this massive transition. There are a lot of logistical things that I have been taking care of esp. with my business. But I look forward to see how the business will grow in this new season of life. Thank you all for your love and support!

*In the second photo my husband and I are standing in front of the Burj Khalifa. It is currently the tallest building in the world and absolutely magical at night.💗

This recent house portrait is now with it's new owner!🏠

It has been awhile since I have posted much on social media, but there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes that I hope to share soon! Hope you all are having a great week!💗