A New Art Studio + Fresh Inspiration from France
May 2024 | Notes From The Studio | Issue 12
Bonjour mon amis!
I will be organizing my photos, impressions, thoughts, and inspiration from France for years to come. The two-week adventure gave me SO MUCH and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore.
The best part is that the inspiration wasn’t just visual. There were some powerful creative, psychological messages coming through to me too. Like this one.
One thing that kept coming up in my mind when I was on my trip was leaning into my own self more. Like NOT CARING AT ALL about things like algorithms or best practices. Like really DEEPLY embracing MY vision. MY creativity. And letting the rest go.
I’ll share a few more bits of France today, then I have some exciting news — I’m moving into my own art studio in Seattle! But first, a few France images.
Note: There will be many more images and experiences that I’ll share with you later. I’m planning to post some blog posts on my website then link to them whenever I send out newsletters. I don’t want to overwhelm your inbox and I want to give myself lots of time and space to process my inspiration.
New Studio + Unofficial Moving Sale for Subscribers Only
I have never done an auction-type of sale before and it may be a terrible idea, but I’m really into trying new things right now so here it goes.
I’d like to invite you to take a look at all of my available paintings in my gallery. If you see one (or more) that you like, but they’ve been a bit out of your budget, I’d like you to email me directly and make me an offer.
That’s right. I want you to decide your own price. I’m not saying that I’m going to sell the painting for that price, but I am going to seriously consider all reasonable offers. If you’re not sure what reasonable is, that’s okay! Just send your offer in. I will let you know if it’s acceptable and I won’t be offended in any way.
Also, take a look at my paintings that are listed on Saatchi Art. Be sure to scroll down because I have a lot of my older stuff listed there that isn’t on my website anymore. If you see one that you love, email me and make me an offer.
This auction will last until my studio moving day — Saturday, May 11th — so get your bids in before that date! I will be reviewing them all as they come in and making my final decisions on Saturday May 11th. If your offer is too low I’ll be sure to let you know before the 11th so you can counteroffer if you wish. Additionally if there are multiple bids on the art you selected I will send you the highest offer and allow you to counter.
The funds from this auction will help me as I move forward along the path of a brand new dream. Having my own art studio space in Seattle has been something I’ve thought of often over the years, but it had always seemed unattainable or unrealistic. I’m ready to make this leap!
Our lease is up at our current apartment and we need to move just a bit farther away so our son can be in the same school district as his friends as he changes to a new school. I haven’t been excited about the move at all because we’re staying in the suburbs until he’s done with high school and it’s not where I personally want to be. But I definitely want to provide that stability for him. And now that I’m taking my studio back to Seattle, it’s brought a whole new energy to the move!
At first we were just going to rent another three bedroom apartment and I’d have to my studio in the spare bedroom again. I had NO RECENT PLANS to move my studio to Seattle until right before we went to France.
When I was in Paris I let it float around in my mind and for once it seemed like this is exactly what I’m supposed to do. Like 100%. I got none of my typical arguments from myself — “it’s going to be more expensive, it’s going to be to hard to deal with the commute,” etc. I didn’t ignore the truths, but all of the positives carried so much more weight. I’ll have a creative space that is solely mine. I’ll have a professional working studio where I can comfortably and proudly invite and host collectors, interior designers, press, and others who want to learn more about me and my work.
Sure, I’m a bit nervous about the commitment. I signed a one year lease. But I also feel like this is just going to expand me creatively. I’ve never had a place to work that was just my own. I’m excited to see what this next chapter brings. It really feels like a fresh start!
And I want to thank YOU so much! All of you have helped me get this far.
You’ve been around supporting my work for so many years now in so many different ways. You’ve been supportive in your comments, emails, social media shares, and purchases. You’ve sold my art in your galleries and shops. You’ve licensed my paintings for prints. You’ve trusted me to take your own creative ideas and turn them into custom works of art for your home.
I’m so grateful for all of you. For believing in me and believing in my work and being here on this journey. And I’m so incredibly excited to share this next phase with you.
Love,
Melanie
Thanks for reading Melanie Biehle Art! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. You’ll also receive a one-time code for 15% off any original painting in my online gallery when you subscribe.
Loved so much of this. But this especially resonated with me…
One thing that kept coming up in my mind when I was on my trip was leaning into my own self more. Like NOT CARING AT ALL about things like algorithms or best practices. Like really DEEPLY embracing MY vision. MY creativity. And letting the rest go.
Thanks Melanie. Hope to visit you at your Seattle studio down the line.
Live that dream!
You've got this! A new studio will cause you to focus even more, and it will work out, I promise!