I almost didn’t tell you this (but my friend Katie said I had to)
Fine Art Friday #54
It feels weird to say this out loud.
Maybe because the work feels so personal. Maybe because I tend towards downplaying big things. Maybe because it’s easier to just keep my head down and keep painting.
But my friend Katie (who you should definitely follow if you don’t already BTW) texted me this week and said:
“Courtney. You have to celebrate this.”
So here I am: whisper-shouting from the rooftop that my art was featured in Over The Moon, Harper’s Bazaar, and Marie Claire… for Zarina Yeva’s wedding.
Over. The. Moon.
Read it here.
Six years ago, I wrote down “Get published in OTM and Harper’s Bazaar” as one of those wild, maybe-one-day goals. I almost didn’t let myself dream it because it felt like something that happened for other people.
But it happened. And my art made it all the way there.
And it reminded me that celebrating matters.
Not for the sake of ego. But because you are allowed to stop, see how far you’ve come, and say, “Wow. That happened. I did that.”
Photography by Ellen Von Unwerth and Natasha Gillett
So here’s your art tip this week.
Art Tip: 10 Ways to Celebrate Yourself Today
Light a candle at lunch.
Eat the fancy chocolate. Don’t share.
Write yourself a note like your best friend would.
Take 10 minutes to paint, dance, or sing.
Buy the flowers at Trader Joe’s.
Screenshot the kind comment someone left you.
Order dinner instead of cooking.
Leave your phone and go on a walk.
Write down the last 3 things you’re proud of.
Say it out loud: “I’m doing a good job.”
If you’ve hit a goal recently — in your business, in your creativity, or just in life — I’d really love to hear about it. Hit reply and tell me so I can celebrate with you.
Because you deserve to be seen.
And I’ll be here, raising my brush, and cheering you on too.
P.S. You can read the articles here and here if you’d like to swoon a little.
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I wear this one almost every day…
Thanks for reading today's edition of the Stories I Only Tell My Friends newsletter! & if you're new here—hi! I'm Courtney, fine artist and live wedding painter, honored to paint beautiful celebrations around the 🌎. I'd love for you to stick around and subscribe to keep reading one art tip, once a week. :)