Friday, February 27, 2026

Solo Artist Date and Getting Creative

Happy Friday everyone. Linking up to FFO over on Nicole's Blog. 
Nicole's Art Inspires me so much :) 

I had a lovely creative week. It was a challenge balancing housework and making time for artwork, but I made some time and came up with the following:

Black and white portrait
I really like her and I think I want to frame her. 


This is the last drawing in my big sketchbook.
I will be making a flip through of the sketchbook soon.



Gouache Landscape


Acrylics and gouache 
Spring Flowers


Gouache Landscape Painting
I am still trying to get to know gouache more.





Went on a solo art date as a part of "The Artist's Way" book that I am currently reading.
I went to Bella Aurora Cafe and it was challenging for me to draw and paint in public but I pushed myself and did it. 



I had a yummy chicken sandwich with a salad and iced coffee.
I am definitely going back for dessert! 


I hope you all had a lovely week. I am excited for March and I hope that spring will come soon. I look forward to nice weather and flowers.  I look forward to walks in nature and want to paint in nature more often. 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog, I appreciate all your comments and thank you so much for all your lovely support and kindness. Have a lovely weekend,

Peace, love and good health,

Maria



*Feel free to use my code: MARIA for 20% off your purchase with https://www.leuchtturm1917.ca/

 



Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Celebrating The Small Moments in Life! Ten Years on Youtube!

 



I believe we should celebrate the little moments in life.
We are important and everything we work toward is valuable.

I don't have a lot of subscribers or comments, it's not about that. I enjoy bringing joy and comfort to myself and others with my videos.
It's not about the quantity but more about the quality.

My motto is Do what brings you joy and happiness,
Do what makes you Happy!

I am grateful and I appreciate each and every person who has watched, commented and liked my videos. Thank you all for making my 10 Years on Youtube a blast!

I am very grateful and love to document moments in life. I've enjoyed each moment. Each video is a little project for me. A creative outlet. My Cancer journey was the most challenging and hard to film but it gave me something to take my mind off things and also the opportunity to share the truth. I am grateful for each moment and each video.

I started as a beauty vlogger and moved toward Lifestyle vlogger. I enjoy a bit of everything when making my videos. I look forward to making more this year. Thank you for subscribing to my channel if you are subscribed and thank you for watching my videos. You are the best!

HAPPY TEN YEARS ON YOUTUBE!

My most recent vlog



Thank you all and thank you YouTube!

Have a wonderful and blessed rest of the week!

🩷🌷✨

Maria

* I got my Facebook Fan Page up and running again. Check it out if you like.

* Feel Free to use my code: MARIA for 20% Off your purchase with

https://www.leuchtturm1917.ca/


Friday, February 20, 2026

FRIDAY FACE OFF Sketchbook Complete!

 FRIDAY FACE OFF 

Happy Friday Face Off!

Linking to the wonderful Nicole for Friday Face Off


I started this sketchbook in 2022 and just finished it. It took me long because I have a few books on the go. I jump from book to book. I am really pleased and happy it is comple. I feel very grateful for the experience in this Leuchtturm1917 Sketchbook. Leuchtturm Canada sent this to me when I was just finishing my chemo and It really helped me express and create and feel happy. So thank you Leuchtturm1917 for reaching out and supporting me through the years. So much love for them. 🩷


A Flip Through My Sketchbook


Mixed Media


Still life Mixed Media








The last face in the Sketchbook

Having fun blowing bubbles with bubblegum. 


Snail mail! 
Thank you to my friend Joy for the snail mail! I love it so much!


New Mug! Super cute from Chapters/Indigo I love the hearts!


Also a favourite series on Netflix
"How to Get to Heaven From Belfast"
So funny and incredible cinematography in my opinion.

🩷

Thank you all for visiting my blog. 

Have a look at all the other artists by visiting Nicole's blog. 



Thank you and have a wonderful and creative weekend!

Much positivity, love and good health,

Maria


* Feel free to use my code: MARIA with https://www.leuchtturm1917.ca/ and receive 20% Off your purchase. 

Friday, February 13, 2026

Digital Minimalism: Why I Deleted Half My Apps and Feel Better



 

Hello my wonderful friends! I hope you are all good.

Linking this blog post with FFO Friday Face Off hosted by the wonderful and talented Nicole. 

These three faces were frustrating to create be honest. I was not happy in the beginning but I worked through my emotions. lol Yes they have flaws but we are perfectly imperfect too. 


 I wanted to share some more Artwork and some Youtube Shorts with you today but before I do I wanted to share that I deleted X (formerly known as twitter), my facebook Fan page, TikTok, Goodreads and Deviant Art. Too much time wasted! I feel so much better and lighter now. 

I will only be using my blog, Youtube, pinterest and IG. Eventually I will get rid of IG and Facebook all together. I have just wasted so much time on these apps and I want to just focus more on my family and creating some art and sharing it with you all on this blog.

 Doom scrolling stresses me out and I just won't do it anymore. I would like to live in the moment and enjoy each day with my family and create art and I will be sharing my art and stories with you all. I really like this artist community on here and I am grateful for each and everyone of you. 


Currently Reading

"The Creative Act A Way of Being" Rick Rubin

"A Cat's Eye" Margaret Atwood

Also working on "The Artist's Way" Julia Cameron


Has anyone read and followed these exercises? I am on Week one. Love it so far. 
I am stuck on taking myself on a Solo Art Date and find that I am using a lot of excuses not to go. lol
"To far of a walk" "Too Cold" lol 
I will update you if I go on this Solo Art Outing.




Two Films that I recently watched and recommend
"Finding Your Feet" on Prime
"Bob Travino Likes It" on Prime

I kindly received some paints, brushes and paper from my friend Mel from British Columbia and I painted two paintings. Her Youtube Channel is EverythingMarmie.




Gouache Paintings
 I love the birds. I want to make a sky with just birds. 


This reminds me of PEI. I miss the Ocean.


Gouache paints are thicker and need water dilution a lot. The paint has a matt finish. Not sure I like matt finish. I do like the fact you can layer the paint when it is dry and add more detail to it. 


This is watercolours on postcards.



Iced Matcha with Almond milk


I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day and a wonderful weekend.
Here in Canada we have family day on Monday so it's a long weekend for us.  I hope to do some art, thrift and make a vlog this weekend. Have a very happy Valentine's Day if you celebrate.
Much love to you all!

New Vlog!



🌷✨🩷Thank you! 🩷✨🌷

Friday, February 6, 2026

Friday Art FFO

 


Hello and happy Friday! Mr. Ziggy is a curious little guy. 
Our weather is grey skies and gloomy. -14 with snow warning today. 

Thank you Nicole! 
 I always look forward to sharing what I've been up to. 

This week I felt like mixing up with various media. Markers, pencils, acrylics and paints. 
It's been so much fun.

Flowers with Gouache Paints
No planning, just going for it in the moment.

 


Abstract Acrylic Painting


I made this on paper and I wish I made it on a canvas.
Acrylics on paper


Acrylic Landscape


A field of flowers
Can't wait for spring
Acrylic paints


Acrylic Markers only


Acrylics and glitter


Acrylics, paint markers and glitter


Alice is a mixed media piece. 
I used pretty much everything on this piece. 


Gouache Landscape



If you like have a look at my vlog and please help me out by subscribing to my channel. 



Thank you all for your visit and your comments. I appreciate you so much!

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

February Beauty Favourites 2026



 February beauty favourites!

 These are the makeup products that I am  Loving 🥰 at the moment.

🩷🩷🩷 

L’Oreal Lumi glow tint 120 neutral


L’Oreal plump ambition lip oil in the colour ‘601 worth it’


Mac eyeshadow ‘she sparkles’


YSL lipstick 💄 ‘love shine’ 


Lisa Etheridge kitten lash mascara ‘burnt umber’


L’Oréal lipstick ‘135 ballerina shoes’ with maybelline lifter lipliner ‘big lift’


Elf power grip setting spray 


Essence make me brow 02 Browny Brows 


Covergirl blush and bronzer skin enhancer.









The Bodyshop! Back from the 90's Dewberry is back! 
LOVE IT!



Have a lovely and beautiful day!
Maria 🩷