After more than 2 years, I finally finished this painting… and it wasn’t easy. In this week’s Artist Diary, I’m taking you inside my studio as I complete *Vibrant Flight*, a piece from my Needle and Brush series—a collection of mixed media paintings created with both wool and paint. What surprised me most about this process was feeling completely stuck at the end. I usually know exactly what the next step is in a painting, but this time, I didn’t. For weeks, I avoided finishing it… until I finally worked through the resistance. If you’ve ever struggled to finish a creative project, this video is for you. I’m also sharing a little behind-the-scenes of my evolving art practice, what’s next for the Needle and Brush series, and why I’m feeling pulled back to my Backwards Beauty paintings (and possibly a new landscape series). And stay until the end—I’m reviewing two new studio products I recently tried and sharing my honest thoughts.
painting collection
Meet My New Painting Collection | Echoes of Old — Dutch-Inspired Country Landscapes
in Echoes of Old, video
Echoes of Old — Original Oil Painting Collection
Inspired by The Dutch Masters • Stories Told in Light & Landscape
✨ 20% Off Holiday Sale — Nov 28 to Dec 10 ✨
Shop the collection ➜ [insert your shop link]
There are places where time seems to slow — where a soft wind moves through the grass, and light rests gently on the hills. That’s the feeling behind Echoes of Old, my new collection of 8×10 oil paintings inspired by the quiet beauty of the countryside and the mood of the Dutch masters.
As I painted, a story began to surface — the story of Mrs. Primrose, a young artist living long ago. She spent her days walking the fields, painting in the garden, and sending small painted letters to someone she never named. Whether real or imagined, her presence lingers in these landscapes: gentle, hopeful, and a little mysterious.
Each piece captures a fleeting moment —
• a farmhouse under drifting clouds
• a golden path leading home
• a woman in a white dress waiting in the fields
If you love quiet things… soft light… and stories hidden in the everyday… this collection was made for you.
🖼️ Details
• Original 8×10 oil paintings on wood panel
• Antiqued, painterly surfaces & warm heirloom tones
• Limited collection — once sold, they’re gone
• Optional antique frames available
How I Style & Shoot My Paintings | Behind the Scenes of a New Collection
Step behind the scenes with me as I prepare my newest painting collection, Echoes of Old, coming November 28th, 2025. Inspired by the quiet magic of the countryside, the warm tones of Dutch Old Master landscapes, and the whispered stories of Mrs. Primrose, this collection is one of my most heartfelt bodies of work yet. In today’s video, I’m taking you into my studio for a full photoshoot day — gathering props, styling vignettes, updating hardware on antique frames, and creating flat-lay scenes that match the tone of the world I’ve been painting. You’ll see how I source materials, how I build visual stories through small details, and how these cozy autumn palettes guide the look and feel of the finished photos. I’ll also share a narrated excerpt from the Echoes of Old story — the quiet life of Mrs. Primrose in the 1800s, the countryside that shaped her days, and the secret letters and landscapes that inspired the collection. This video is a gentle, creative behind-the-scenes moment — full of warm candlelight, textured frames, soft color palettes, and the first full reveal of all seven paintings in the collection. ✨ Echoes of Old releases November 28th, 2025 ✨ Black Friday Sale (20% off): Nov 28 – Dec 10 ✨ Originals will be available at janlakey.com Thank you for being here, for supporting my art, and for stepping into this little world with me. I can’t wait to share more.
A Cozy Fall Vlog in the Mountains
Artist Diaries | Preparing Tiny Autumn Paintings — Frame Surgery + Reference Creation
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.