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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:

blog
Antiquing at the Largest Antique Mall in America
about a week ago
My First Year on YouTube as an Artist — Was It Worth It?
about 2 weeks ago
Magical Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop + Haul
about a month ago
The Cold Case Project Files: Reviving an Old Artwork on a Snow Day ❄️
about a month ago
Meet My New Painting Collection | Echoes of Old — Dutch-Inspired Country Landscapes
about a month ago

Hello Friend

Let stay in touch. I only send love notes with awesome news.

We respect your privacy.

Hello Beautiful One ✨

Thank you for joining my little corner of the internet. You’re officially on my list — I can’t wait to share new videos, upcoming art sales, and special behind-the-scenes moments with you. 💛

Much love,

Jan


Fall in the Mountains | Decorating with Nature | Cozy Fire on a Rainy Day

October 21, 2025 in tips and tricks, video, Echoes of Old

Travel with me to Camp Easy and enjoy fall in the mountains. I create decoration with no spend budget by using nature to decorate. There is nothing better than a cozy fire on a chilly fall rainy day in the mountains and I start a new painting collection inspired by the old dutch masters paintings. Relaxing no talking visual feast for the soul. Hope you enjoy.

Tags: fall, cozy, painting, decor, nature, mountains, camp easy
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Tiny Landscape Painting in Oil - Sharing my tips and tricks

October 07, 2025 in teaching painting, tips and tricks, video, Echoes of Old

This week, I’m taking you behind the scenes as I paint a tiny fall landscape in oils — and share my favorite tips and tricks for working small.

Last week, we prepped the tiny frames by removing the glass and giving them a makeover with a touch of antique charm. Today, I’m choosing the perfect painting surface (low texture for fine detail), setting up my cozy autumn painting space(yes, including new squirrel candle holders 🐿️), and walking you through my palette and brush choices.

Then it’s time to paint: a woman in a golden field, with flowers in the foreground and distant trees under a soft autumn sky. Along the way, I share insights on brushwork, color mixing, and the little details that make tiny landscapes feel big in atmosphere.

I finish the session by peeling off the tape for that oh-so-satisfying reveal, and placing the frame over the still-wet painting — a glimpse of what these miniature masterpieces will become.

✨ If you’re interested in oil painting, fall inspiration, or simply the calming rhythm of painting along, I hope this video sparks your creativity.

Tags: tinypainting, oil painting instructions, oil painting, water-soluble oils, landscape painting
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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
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Bay Side Painting - No Voice – ASMR - Nature Sounds + Music

September 23, 2025 in Plein Air Painting, video

Drift away with me by the bay, where I sit beneath an old tree at a picnic table, brush in hand. Instead of capturing the view before me, I turn to a reference image — translating it into a loose, expressive abstract landscape. Broad strokes suggest a cloudy sky, a glowing field of autumn grass, and a dark horizon line of distant trees. It’s not about accuracy, but about mood, energy, and the joy of color moving across canvas.

There’s no voice in this video — just the natural melody of the park: leaves, water, wind. All accompanied by soothing classical music, blending with nature’s calm. Let this be your moment of quiet: a visual poem, a breath, a pause for your soul.

If you love relaxed painting, ASMR nature, plein air sketches, or mood-filled landscapes, this one’s for you.

Tags: oil painting, water-soluble oils, nature, plein air painting, amsr, slow living, calm video
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Cozy Fall Landscape - Painting in the Park

September 16, 2025 in video, tips and tricks, teaching painting, Plein Air Painting

Join me in the park for a cozy fall plein air painting session! 🍂 Today I’m sharing my thoughts on painting outdoors, the power of toned canvases, and how overcoming limiting beliefs can open up your creativity.

In this video, I paint an autumn landscape using a burnt orange/brown toned canvas that brings a warm glow and depth to the scene. I’ll explain why toned canvases can make such a difference, what to keep in mind when using them, and how they can help you capture that rich autumnal atmosphere.

This painting is a warm-up for a new project inspired by the old masters — a holiday release of small, dark, moody landscapes. If you’ve ever been curious about plein air painting, oil painting techniques, or how to break through creative blocks, I think you’ll find this helpful.

✨ Topics covered in this video:

  • Plein air painting tips for beginners

  • Why I tone my canvas before painting

  • Autumn landscape painting inspiration

  • Overcoming limiting beliefs as an artist

Let me know your thoughts in the comments — have you tried painting on a toned canvas? Don’t forget to subscribe and come back next week when I’ll be painting another autumn landscape in a different park!

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