Resilience, Shadows, and Light: My Journey as an Artist… and where I’m headed next.

If I’ve learned anything in the last year, it’s that building a business isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding path—part vision, part chaos, part deep trust in something greater than myself. And somehow, every step along the way has been worth it.

Starting Where I Was

When I first picked up a paintbrush, it was simply a side hobby. I painted in the margins of my life—after work, late at night, whenever I could carve out a little space for myself. Most of the pieces in my gallery today came from that season of experimenting, learning, and just painting what I loved.

Then came opportunities that felt like whispers of encouragement from the universe. My first art shows. The moment a stranger bought a piece and I realized my work could connect with someone outside my immediate circle. Renting a studio in Old Colorado City and hanging my paintings on the walls for First Friday Art Walk. Each moment built on the next, reminding me I wasn’t crazy for wanting this.

I’ve shown up at fairs, met curators and other artists, and started to map out how I want to grow beyond where I am today.

For a long time, my work was focused on landscapes—mountains, rivers, sunsets. And I’ll be honest—many of them turned out pretty damn cool. They resonated with people, stirred memories, and brought beauty into a space. But when I stepped back from them, I didn’t feel any different. They were beautiful, yes, but they didn’t move me the way I knew art could. There had to be more.

The Turning Point

That “more” arrived when I painted Resilience.

It was one of the fastest pieces I’ve ever created, but it was also the first time I felt like I had a voice—like I was telling a story through paint. And when I finished it, something shifted inside me.

I realized I wasn’t just painting for myself anymore. I was painting for the millions of people who are on their own transformation journey—people who have weathered storms, who have faced hardship, who are still learning how their resilience has shaped them into who they are today. That’s when I knew: this is the direction I want to follow.

More Than Pretty Pictures

Here’s the truth: I’m not sitting here depressed or broken. In fact, I’ve had an amazing life to date, and I’m grateful for all of it. But I also know none of us, including myself, walk through life without scars. And those experiences—both the light and the shadows—are what shape us.

You can walk into any department store and find beautiful paintings. But I’m going for something more. I want my art to help people in their own journey—to stir something deeper, to be a mirror of resilience, or maybe just a reminder that they’re not alone.

Beyond Love and Light (and a small trigger warning)

I’ll always lean toward optimism and hope—that’s just who I am. Most of my work will reflect that love-and-light energy, because that’s where I naturally live. But healing requires honesty. And sometimes that means acknowledging the shadow side too.

So, here’s your little trigger warning: my upcoming work may not always be soft and sunny. Some pieces may feel heavier at first glance, because they explore themes that live in the shadows. For example, I’m currently working on a puppet painting that dives into control and liberation. It’s more shadow than light at first, but it carries an important message:

The light only shines fully when we’ve acknowledged the darkness it overcomes.

The Hard Part: Building the Business

While my art continues to evolve, the business side has been the hardest challenge—and honestly, the biggest teacher.

It’s one thing to create a painting that feels alive, and another to figure out how to price it, photograph it, and get it onto a website. I’ve had to learn how to set up my online shop, add “buy now” buttons, research printing and matting options, and make decisions about offering originals vs. prints. None of that came naturally to me.

Then there are the parts no artist dreams about: spreadsheets, shipping logistics, sales tax, and yes—fighting with Google over indexing issues (seriously… no thank you! 😅). Admin tasks drain me, but I keep reminding myself they’re part of laying the foundation. Without them, my art would never make it into the hands and homes of the people it’s meant for.

Showing up in person has stretched me too. From fairs and art walks to juried shows, each event has forced me to step outside my comfort zone, talk about my art face-to-face, and start building connections with curators, collectors, and other artists. Those moments have been equal parts terrifying and rewarding.

If I’m being honest, there have been times I wanted to quit—not because of the painting, but because of the weight of all the business decisions that come with it. But every small win—whether it’s a stranger buying a piece, someone telling me how much a painting means to them, or finally fixing a tech issue I thought would break me—reminds me why I’m doing this.

Stepping Out of the Shadows

For years, I lived in the shadow of corporate work, my husband’s work, raising kids and supporting everyone else as they chased their dreams. And while I’ve always loved cheering others on (and I still do), I’ve come to realize that at some point you have to stop being the cheerleader and ask yourself:

What do I want? 🤔

This business is my answer to that question. It’s my turn.

I’m still learning, still growing, still evolving as both an artist and entrepreneur. But I know one thing for sure: this journey is worth it. And I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way.

Lessons for My Kids (and Myself)

This journey has also been about teaching my kids. I want them to see, firsthand, that it’s never too late to start something you love. Dedication matters. And the moments you feel like quitting are often the moments that shape you most. Growth comes through resistance—it’s what transforms you into the person you’re meant to become. So, kids…if you’re reading this…. out of all the advice I’ve given you…I hope this is the one that sticks. Chase what you love. ❤️

The Heart of My Brand

True North

At the center of all of this is a brand that’s still evolving, still finding its true north. But I know where I want it to go.

I want my art to be about connection, healing, and awakening. I want people who land on my site to feel seen, to feel possibility, and to find a spark of truth in the work—even if it’s not always comfortable. My art is not just decoration. It’s a reflection of the mind–body–spirit journey, of resilience, and of the beauty and growth that can come from even the shadow places.

This is only the beginning. And while my work may continue to shift and stretch, one thing is certain: every piece brings me closer to my true voice.

✨ Thank you for being here with me. I’d love for you to follow along as my story continues to unfold. You can explore my gallery here, and I hope my work brings both honesty and light into your world.

~Keri Englehart