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Jan's Blog

Picture of CEO, Jan Elizabeth Lakey

I am a creator of kindness. I find joy in creating what I love and sharing it with others. My hope is that you will find something here that inspires you. 

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Latest:

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Artist Diaries | Preparing Tiny Autumn Paintings — Frame Surgery + Reference Creation
about 2 hours ago
Bay Side Painting - No Voice – ASMR - Nature Sounds + Music
about a week ago
Cozy Fall Landscape - Painting in the Park
about 2 weeks ago
My Painting Collection | 20 Paintings | 1 Year of Painting Each Week
about 3 weeks ago
One Year of Painting Every Week — What I Learned
about 4 weeks ago

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Much love,

Jan


Artist Diaries | Preparing Tiny Autumn Paintings — Frame Surgery + Reference Creation

September 30, 2025 in tips and tricks, video

Artist Diaries: Preparing Tiny Autumn Paintings
In this week’s episode, I’m starting a brand new collection inspired by the charm of tiny frames I’ve gathered from thrift shops, antique stores, and even a few unexpected places like Amazon and TJ Maxx.

You’ll see the whole behind-the-scenes process:

  • Removing the glued-in glass from each frame (“frame surgery”)

  • Antiquing them with wax to add stately charm and old-world elegance

  • Creating moody Dutch Master-style reference images with a shared palette

The video opens with a glimpse of my morning ritual — making celery juice by candlelight, something I’ve done for over seven years to stay grounded as the seasons shift into autumn.

This is just the beginning. Next week, I’ll attempt to paint these tiny references in rich, expressive detail. Will it work — or be an epic fail? Come back and see how this fall experiment unfolds.

Tags: ai reference image, antiquing frames, dutch old master, painting collection, diy, oil painting
Bay Side Painting - No Voice – ASMR - Nature Sounds + Music →
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