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New Territory for a New Blogger

By my count, as of today I’ve been a blogger for only 116 days since starting The Daily Artisan – making me a novice by any measure.

One of the things I’m learning about blogging is deciding what to write about each day. There’s a freedom that comes with having your own space like this, yet also a consideration of what you want to share and what you don’t.

And since The Daily Artisan is about infusing more creativity into our daily lives, I figure most things related to that are fair game for blog content.

And, yet, this past week I’ve found myself in new territory that’s both challenging and confusing.



Each day with my blog posts, I write about and take pictures of something related to the creative lifestyle; baking and cooking; photography; or arts and crafts. By sharing examples of my projects and work, I hope to encourage you to pick up a paintbrush or a camera, or try your hand at writing – all for the personal fulfillment that comes from living a more creative lifestyle.

So where does the horror that is happening to Ukraine fit in here?


Like you, I’m watching reports and video footage that are deeply troubling. A free and democratic country was going about its business – its citizens living their ordinary lives – when the unthinkable started. And while obviously there is conflict in other parts of the world, something about Ukraine and its brave people feels different, maybe closer to home because it could be any of us.



This past week I’ve struggled with content for my posts on The Daily Artisan. A week ago today, I did post a poem and photograph I made about Ukraine, but other content about cooking and flowers and watercoloring feels somewhat out of step and tune.

I’m not thinking I should stop posting these creative things that are what The Daily Artisan is all about. I am, however, wanting to acknowledge what’s happening with Ukraine and encourage everyone to donate as you’re able to help support the displaced Ukrainians, and also to pray for them and for peace. It matters. A lot.


This afternoon I wanted to paint a sunflower as so many recently have done in honor of Ukraine’s national flower, and it provided an opportunity to reflect on what I wanted to say in today’s blog post. The world’s prayers are with Ukraine, and they continuously remain this way as we ever-so-fortunate, non-participants go about our daily, free lives.

Today’s post includes some process photographs of the sunflower watercolor painting, which included using cling wrap and sea salt to create random shapes and textures on parts of the flower. Spending quiet and reflective time making the sunflower was a good reminder to me that it’s not an either-or situation, and that as a new blogger, acknowledging this uncharted territory is important.












Godspeed to everyone impacted by these events. 🇺🇦


March 3, 2022

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4 Comments

  1. Reply

    carolyn lester

    March 5, 2022

    Love all of your blogs. You are a very talented lady and I enjoy seeing a new one each day. Today had an extra special message. Thank you…you are special!

    • Reply

      Susan Evans

      March 5, 2022

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Elaine! They mean a lot.

  2. Reply

    Sue Ackert

    May 9, 2022

    What was the purpose of the lasting wrap on the yellow? I couldn’t figure it out from picture.
    Loving your ideas!
    🌞

    • Reply

      Susan Evans

      May 10, 2022

      Thanks so much, Sue! I placed the cling wrap over the yellow painted part of the sunflower when it was dry — and crinkled it up loosely and randomly. Then when I painted the center brown, some of the brown wet paint seeped under the cling wrap and made interesting patterns. All of the brown (except the center) you see on the flower came about this way. It’s one of those things where you don’t know what you’re going to end up with — ha!

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