Every time I walk into my bathroom, this painting brings a gentle smile to my face. It always takes me back to a day at the lake with my son — teaching him how to skip rocks, laughing as we counted the ripples, and soaking in that simple magic that only happens when you’re near water with someone you love.

I've been thinking a lot about the experience of shopping for art. It can feel exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming—there are so many choices, so many styles, so many colors and moods to sort through. And sometimes people worry about “getting it right.”

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much framing can transform a piece of art. The right frame doesn’t just “finish” a piece—it can completely shift its tone, mood, and presence.

This past week, I spent seven full days in the studio working solely on small pieces—and I’ve been loving it. The shift made me pause and think about how different it feels to work small versus large.

With summer just about to be in full bloom, I’m getting ready to head out of town for a change of scenery, some fresh air, and slow things down a little bit. This year has been super busy in the studio. I prepared for and showcased at two art shows at Round Top, one at the sweetest gallery opening called the Birdhouse Gallery in Oklahoma, and the other at Twelve Thirty Four in Dallas. I also had a Pop-Up event. All back to back.

My favorite time to paint and create is early in the morning or late into the night while everyone is sleeping. I love the quiet solitude and space to unwind and play in the studio without interruption from my sweet family and friends or the outside world. Creating, painting and writing has always been an outlet for me, but not something I have felt comfortable sharing. My art has always felt deeply personal and something I felt I needed to keep safe and close to my heart. But this past year I am feeling a deeper need for connection outside of my family and circle of friends and wanting to share more of myself and my art. I will be sharing my new work, my process and random adventures in my studio stories and on social media and I hope to see and hear from you in the new year. Take good care. Xx, Sonya

Walking into my studio this morning with a feeling of newness and wonder after a lengthy absence of creating and making art.

This past year has been met with fear, grief and immense heartache. Caring for and losing someone we love is something we all experience in our lifetime. My sweet mother passed away from cancer in May and I am feeling all of the emotions that come with losing a parent. A day does not go by without a memory of her dropping into my heart. Her words of wisdom and playful humor drift in each day while chatting with family or friends, on long walks with my pups, folding laundry and always when I’m in the kitchen preparing a meal or making cookies. She is with me, in my heart, cheering me on and encouraging me to do all the things, only as a mother can. These past few weeks I have felt her, nudging me, to get back at it and step into my studio and begin again. I hear her words that she whispered back in April, to paint in colors other than blue, to paint from the heart, stay present and to enjoy and savor the gifts life gives us.

Xx, Sonya