Category: Life

From The Studio: A Business Update

I can’t seem to do a clean site launch. I’m sure some of my more devoted readers will notice small changes to Runs With Markers on a weekly, and even daily basis. Also getting a slow facelift is my professional site, gracebarkley.com. I finally have my brand visually where I want it to be. Now, it’s just the business side of the equation that gets some tinkering. Last week, I received my first freelance assignment for South Magazine. Be sure to look for my article in the February/March issue of the magazine, hitting stands all over the South at the end of January. You can see articles I have already written for South on their blog.

Meanwhile, to boost my freelancing portfolio, I am following the guidelines of Lexi Rodrigo, a mom and freelance who authors The Savvy Freelancer. Her list, 31 Days to Start Freelancing, provides individuals with a step-by-step process to get their businesses up and running. I would definitely recommend checking this out regardless of your industry. Designers, writers, decorators and bloggers can all benefit from her great program.

xo Grace

Sunday Funday

I hope everyone had a restful and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I am still on holiday hiatus but am ready to get back to regular posting tomorrow. Meanwhile, here is an illustration I whipped up this morning to go along with one of my pieces of nonfiction. You can check out the piece, Online Dating Makes Me BaHa, on my professional website, gracebarkley.com

Organize-A-Mania

ImageWhen I was a kid I enjoyed going into art stores. Most of all I liked to admire the rows of pens, markers and paints organized row upon row in color order. Of course I wanted them like candy. Even now as I write this I am jonesing to leave my armchair at Starbucks and head to Dick Blick. But somehow, when I brought home my selections, they just didn’t look as nice as they did on the magical wall of color. Sad trombone. This week I have been reading and pinning a lot about organization. These are the images that are inspiring me lately. I need to get all of my art supplies in one place so I will actually use them and *gasp* make stuff.

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I will let you know when this materializes…

Monday Musings: Reindeer

Just last week I was tweeting angrily about Starbucks’ early display of Christmas garb. Now, I have the bug. Not in the garrish red and green way though, no. My eyes are gravitating toward reindeer motifs and deer motifs lately.

Above – Mid-Century Brass Deer on Etsy

Blooming Reindeer Pillow from Anthropologie

DIY Glitter Reindeer Canvas via Just Daisy Dreaming

Crescent Mule Deer Chandelier by Antlerstuff on Etsy

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Running Like: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn always seemed to have it down in the style department. I love her iconic skinny pants, flats and sweater. Some days, when I can’t dream up anything else to wear, I refer back to this combination but bring my own spin.

1. Charlotte Tarantola, Cool Cat Sweater – $152
2. Kenneth Cole Reaction, Slip on By in Red Patent – $47.99 on Zappos

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American Gothic Family

Thanks to some digging by my Uncle, this gem surfaced recently. This blogger is on the far left. This picture was taken on my grandmother’s farm back in the day. I love our popsicle-colored polar fleece. So 90’s.

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