A mixed media collage featuring a variety of textures and elements, including torn magazine pages, abstract acrylic paint, and photographic images. Prominent in the center is a vibrant painting with blended colors such as turquoise, purple, yellow, orange, and white, resembling melted or swirled paint. Surrounding it are fragments of text, including a large black serif word “Epic” on a white background, architectural photography showing balconies, and layers of paint in greens, blues, purples, and metallic hues. The composition is chaotic and colorful, emphasizing creativity and visual contrast.

The Messy Joy of Creating

Letting go of neatness can unlock pure creative joy—paint on your hands, scraps stuck to your fingers, and glue on the table become proof you were truly in the moment. Embrace the chaos, and you might just find the mess is where the magic really happens.

Yes, Digital Art Is Real Art

Digital art is every bit as real as traditional art. From mastering color, light, and texture to building a piece stroke by stroke, digital artists rely on the same creativity and skill as painters or illustrators. It’s not the tools that make art—it’s the artist’s vision and the story their work brings to life.

The image is a collage combining vintage elements. At the center is a sepia-toned, torn photograph of a man and woman in formal attire from the early 20th century. The man has a mustache and wears a bow tie, while the woman has her hair styled up with decorative hairpins and earrings. To the left, there is a smaller photograph of the same man standing in a long coat. The background is layered with old handwritten text, newspaper clippings, and teal and reddish watercolor-like stains. Over the collage, large cursive script is written in pale pink.

The Writing with No Meaning

Dive into the mesmerizing world of asemic writing—art that looks like writing but carries no literal meaning. In this post, I share how exploring mark making and wordless journaling became a meditative, freeing practice that adds depth to my art and lets creativity flow without the pressure of perfection.

A stylized pattern of ocean waves in varying shades of blue set against a beige background. The waves are illustrated with curved, flowing lines and symmetrical shapes, creating a rhythmic, repeating design. Some of the wave crests resemble abstract bird or fish heads, adding a whimsical touch to the composition. The overall aesthetic is reminiscent of traditional Japanese wave art with a modern, graphic twist.

The Art of the Wave

Waves aren’t just ocean drama—they’re design gold. From Hokusai’s crashing prints to Celtic spirals and Art Nouveau swirls, the wave motif flows through cultures as a symbol of rhythm, power, and transformation. This blog dives into its timeless appeal and how you can use it to bring motion and meaning into your own creative work.

A close-up of an open human hand covered in smudges and smears of various paint colors, including purple, blue, pink, green, yellow, and black. The background is blurred but shows similarly colorful, abstract patterns, suggesting an artistic or creative environment.

Why I Love Getting Paint on My Hands

There’s something deeply satisfying about walking away from a painting session with stained hands and a full heart. This post dives into the tactile joy of traditional art, the love of messy creativity, and the magic of blending digital with hands-on expression—proof that the real beauty lies in the making, not just the masterpiece.

Abstract painting with vivid, fluid streaks of color blending across the paper. Prominent hues include bright yellow, turquoise, cobalt blue, peach, and purple, interspersed with black and white. The colors appear to be dragged or poured, creating feathered, wave-like textures. The upper corners feature heavier black and grey areas, adding contrast. In the bottom right corner, the artwork is signed “T Cowley” with the caption “Art & Design by Teresa Cowley.”

Guess Who’s Back (With Actual Paint)?

After a much-needed break, I’m back to blogging—with fresh energy and a renewed creative spark! I’m diving into traditional art again (hello, paint and lotion experiments!) while still mixing in my digital work. It feels great to share more of my personal journey, and there’s plenty more art and insight coming your way.

Abstract digital artwork featuring vertical, fluid-like streaks in vibrant colors such as magenta, green, blue, and peach. The streaks blend and flow together with a marbled effect, creating a sense of movement. Overlaying the background are numerous translucent and opaque circles in varying sizes, mostly in shades of blue and purple, resembling bubbles or droplets. The overall composition is dynamic and layered, with a mix of soft gradients and sharp contrasts.

My Go-To Art Tools for Tired Days

Feeling too tired to create but still itching to make something? Here are three art tools I lean on when my energy’s gone but my creative spark’s still flickering—think playful swirls, AI surprises, and carefree scribbles that keep the inspiration flowing without wearing you out.

Abstract digital artwork featuring a textured background in shades of teal, peach, lavender, and gray. Overlaying this background are numerous black dots of varying sizes, some with white centres. Two large solid-coloured circles dominate the center—one in deep blushing peach on the left and one in dark teal on the right. The composition has a layered, textured appearance with a dynamic arrangement of circular elements.

Why a Simple Dot is so Powerful

Dots might seem small, but in art, they pack a punch—from ancient symbolism to digital pixels and Yayoi Kusama’s wild, immersive worlds. This post dives into how a single point can spark infinite meaning, showing why artists across time keep coming back to the humble dot. Curious how deep a dot can go? Let’s find out.

A man in a cowboy hat and brown jacket stands against a wall in a modern office, partly covering his face with his hand and hat. Beside him is a large, vintage-style "WANTED" poster featuring a black-and-white illustration of a man in a bow tie. The poster reads: "WANTED for phishing, refund scams & cyber trickery. 'Jessy' James. Reward for information leading to IP address." The office in the background has glass walls, desks, office chairs, and computer monitors.

WARNING: Jesse James is a Refund Scammer?

Ever had someone email you about a refund for something you never sold? That’s how my run-in with a refund scam started — and it only got stranger from there, featuring a sketchy domain (serolik.com) and a fake Jesse James. Here’s the full story, plus tips to help you spot and avoid scams like this one.