Greetings from 33,900 miles! I’m currently on my second flight of the day (or is it two days? who can tell!) headed to see my brother who lives in Helsinki (that’s Finland for the uninitiated). I frantically wrapped up a few work projects before leaving, and my Type B side has really reared its head on the personal front. As soon as we were airborne, Sterling Point started to freeze and I realized all the shows and books I thought I had downloaded failed (inject this show into my veins btw). Headphones that connect to inflight movies? Of course not!

And so here we are! It’s finally me, myself, and I for 3 hours and 51 minutes, and it’s a comfort to be reunited with my brain while it’s not jumping frenetically from task to task. I do have Argo playing noiselessly in front of me while I type this - I’m not a monster.

One task I DO love as I prepare to travel is styling and packing (unsurprisingly!). This trip feels especially fun because it’ll be about twenty degrees cooler than DC, and the Nordic countries always give an excuse to be a bit more adventurous. I’m trying a few new to me things this trip and couldn’t be more excited to escape the HEAT!

1. Elevated windbreakers. While not a new concept, I love the idea of a black windbreaker styled with a more outfit-outfit. I’m embracing light jacket weather and since I am not an athleisure gal, especially when traveling, this feels like the perfect way to incorporate a sporty, cool factor. I’m currently wearing this great cropped COS one, and also recently tried on one from Reformation that was fabulous (love the scrunchable sleeves).

2. Long shorts. Okay we’re doing it! I tried on these white denim shorts in COS and immediately hated them and then immediately loved them. They’re wide and almost look like a skirt, which I feel is an easy way to start on the trend without jumping too deep into Bermuda-land. I try to stay away from short shorts while traveling and I just can’t be the American in cut-off jean shorts!

3. Strategic sunglasses. I am rarely without a pair of sunglasses - I swear I’m wearing them in a rain storm. I’ve been thinking about them more strategically recently and their ability to balance out an outfit. Here’s the game plan. Basic but chic outfit? These Jimmy Fairly aviators are COOL and add the funk needed. Already starting with a pretty funky, colorful base? Wayfarers. (I don’t understand why there are so many different kinds of Wayfarers, but in my opinion the ones from Tuckernuck are perfect).

4. Stripe-maxing. Stripes? In late summer/fall?? Okay, I hear you. Not necessarily groundbreaking, but nothing feels more fun to me than taking a layup classic and complicating it. I’m loving stripes on stripes - my current plane outfit is my favorite Sezane sweater and striped Donni poplin pants. I’ll switch the pants out for these new PERFECT pants from Hill House and we have something fresh.

Packing Tip!

Does anyone use a hanging rack when packing for a big trip? This is my #1 hack. I pull everything that I think I might want and put it on the hanging rack, before beginning the process of editing down. I always spot a few repeats, realize I don’t need 6 jackets, and create an overall color palette that will make mixing and matching easy. This trip? Tomato red, light blue, brown, and black - very pre-fall! Seeing it in one place is a game changer for me.

I’m excited to bring you along for this trip and into some of the art that I see along the way! Castle has three incredible shows on the docket this fall and winter, and before we create something worthy of inspiring, we have to first be inspired. That’s the name of the game this trip!

xx

Catherine

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Hello hello!

This spring I had an incredible trip to Santa Fe and when I got home, it was right into a crazy work season! My brain has hardly had time to catch up from all I saw, ate, and shopped in New Mexico. I was overwhelmed!

As a self-defined east coaster, I have spent very little time west of the Mississippi. So when my cousin, who has been to Santa Fe many, many times and calls it a home away from home, asked if I wanted to join her - it was an easy “yes”! Top of mind? Georgia O’Keeffe of course!

Before we get to Georgia, we visited some incredible shops, galleries, and restaurants in this true creative mecca and I’ll share those below. I had an out of body experience on Canyon Road - a single, winding street known for art galleries - and have truly never seen so much art in one place. (Is it just me or are you left wondering how they manage to stand out when competing with 80+ other galleries!!)

We also ventured out of Santa Fe for Ojo Caliente, a hot springs spa between Santa Fe and Taos, and I can not recommend this enough! The massage was heaven and there are a slew of pools and natural hot springs to enjoy in the most relaxing environment. We left different people at the end of the day!

While this is FAR from a comprehensive list (so much still to explore), they are all spots I’ll be returning to in the future.

Shops

Sissel’s - Turquoise (and every other type of jewelry) heaven!

SOTE - Elevated, incredibly chic shop carrying clothes, jewelry, and leather accessories.

High Noon General Store - A well curated shop with cool merch, local gifts, and a small selection of art.

Black Diamond Curio - I would recommend coming here for non-cheesy souvenirs! A great variety of gifts, locally made ceramics, and Los Poblanos products.

Chocolate + Cashmere - A dream! A chocolate counter in a gorgeous cashmere shop.

SF Dry Goods - High end shop with international brands - there are three different storefronts, each with a different viewpoint.

Double Take - A enormous vintage shop with an incredible selection of western wear, including fabulous vintage Ralph Lauren.

La Boheme - A tiny shop on Canyon Road selling chic and simple linen and Liberty clothing.

Heritage by Hand - Right around the corner from The Shed, this small shop carries all hand-made ceramics, clothing and home items at great prices.

Galleries and Museums

Kay Contemporary Art

Owen Contemporary

Turner Carroll

Nüart Gallery

Chiaroscuro Gallery

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Museum of International Folk Art

New Mexico Museum of Art

Eating

Cafe Pasqual’s - Worth all the good recommendations! A fun celebratory dinner with great service.

The Shed - Casual, fun staple of Santa Fe with every margarita flavor under the sun.

Dolina Bakery - Highly recommend breakfast or pastries from Dolina, an Eastern European bakery located just outside of downtown.

Oja Caliente - If you go to Oja Caliente (the hot springs spa) - which you should - make sure you are there during a meal time (preferably lunch) to eat at the great restaurant on site!

Plaza Cafe - Another staple that we enjoyed for both breakfast and dinner, with a perfect vantage point for people watching!

Abiquiú (the main event!)

Nothing could have truly prepared me to visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s home outside of Santa Fe in Abiquiú. I was expecting atmospheric and historically interesting. Instead, it was transportive, etherial, and almost inexplicably transformational. Georgia’s hand is in every detail (I mean EVERY), so to visit the home is to experience the inside of her mind and her way of thinking.

As an artist who often painted what she saw (more accurately - what she fervently and closely studied), the entire compound strikes me as familiar. “Oh, there’s the black doorway!” “Is that the same skull for her paintings?!” The road leading to Abiquiú became a minimalist shape repeated time and again.

The tour starts in her garden before continuing through her home and ending in the studio, which is also the site of her bedroom and closet. The stark lines are divisive and the colors feel explosive, and when sky meets pueblo it’s a study in texture. Ahead of her time in so many ways, Georgia sprinkled modern design throughout, which feels surreal in the almost alien landscape.

One of my favorite stories was the origin of a large, green glazed bowl that lives in her courtyard. Apparently, she immediately spotted it in her travels and convinced her companions that, despite weighing a ton and not fitting in any luggage, it had to come home with her. She said she knew exactly where it belonged. When she arrived home, she placed the bowl facing out under a hanging skull and her thought process was revealed. The glaze drips almost exactly mirrored the angular shape of the antlers. An ode to the collector with a sharp eye!

The entire house and gardens reflect this ethos - Georgia saw something in it all long before anyone else understood. She was hopping the wall of the ruins while it was owned by the Catholic church a decade before they agreed to sell it to her. The shapes and shadows fascinated her, and surrounded her as she created until her eyesight failed. Even then, ceramics, shaped by hands and not sight, were created alongside artist and studio assistant Juan Hamilton.

As opposed to Ghost Ranch, which sits about twelve miles away and is not currently open to the public, Abiquiú is the quiet living and gardening space where she came to reside full time. And it’s magic to be in a place where pillars of artistic doctrine were shaped.

Some logistics…

My cousin has visited many times before, but she was surprised to learn we would be going into the home! This must’ve been a recent change. You park at the visitor center and then take a less than 5 minute shuttle up to the home. You can take photos and videos throughout (!!), and you stay with an incredible docent who guides you around the grounds and home.

We visited the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the morning before the tour (it’s very small), and would highly recommend stacking these experiences! It all felt fresh when we went to her home.

Have you been to Abiquiú? I’m so curious about others experiences and if you were as blown away as I was.

Crossing my fingers that Ghost Ranch opens again in the future because I’m already counting down until my next New Mexico trip!

xx

Catherine

Let’s work together!

Did you hear that I just launched an artist resources shop on Etsy? Accessibly priced templates for your CV, artist statement, portfolio and gallery applications are now just a click away.

I am also taking on management projects and clients! If you have been putting off creating/overhauling your commission or inventory system, applying to galleries, creating a wholesale catalog, or simply need an efficient and targeted audit - reach out! I’d love to hear from you.

Get in Touch!

Interested in artist strategy? I offer strategy calls for a bite sized opportunity to get help quick and answer your burning questions! You’ll receive detailed notes after our call with action steps for what comes next.

Book a Strategy Call

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

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We have some catching up to do! As soon as my feet touched Virginian soil after an inspiring trip to Santa Fe last month (more on that in Monday’s newsletter!), it truly was one thing after another! Nashville for Harding, opening Katharine Heyl’s solo show at Castle (!!), and trying to stay on top of that ever growing to-do list.

view the new show by katharine

Something incredible happened after last weeks opening (besides an exciting first round of sales!) - I finally felt like the physical gallery space is “done” for now. Planters have been planted. Furniture has been arranged and acquired. I had a rolling, free standing wall built to increase wall space and that was delivered. Things look good.

I don’t think I realized how much I needed the space to feel finished and how long it truly took. So much in the background of business (at least for me!) is scrappy. If I can have a friend do it, I will. If I can get that table for free - perfect! If I can put that big investment off, I’ll do it and then DIY. However the investments are truly that, and it feels good to be in a solid place.

But that boulder rolling uphill metaphor? That feels pretty true right now. Everything is moved forward by inches, not miles, and I feel strongly about normalizing that. Sale by sale we build a collector base. Event by event we shape our reputation. Artist by artist we grow. Something funny has happened in the first six months of the gallery - I act like it’s been a lot longer than six months.

The slowness can be frustrating. I want to see immediate growth! Who doesn’t? But instead of virality, we are all left with our own boulders and a requirement of stamina. Keep going. Others have stopped along the way, but you’ll be the one to make it if you don’t.

I loved listening to the most recent episode of The Run-Through by Vogue - an interview with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the creative directors of Loewe. As many know, they’ve been on the job for about a year after a massive leadership shake-up in the fashion world. The interviewer asked them both about their goals for Loewe and they were adamant about not creating long term goals - who would have thought they’d be in this role even a year ago? Their job is to world-build, and it doesn’t happen overnight. They’ve had early success, but they would never suggest they are close to being “there” or in their groove. Every show is just an attempt to move closer. One year can hold so much - and yet it’s also a blip in the life of a business.

The ambitious part of me is also self-critical - there’s always adjustments to be made. And hearing from Jack and Lazaro reminded me that this pressure to be an overnight success is not only futile, but it’s also the lesser option to slow, hard-fought growth. Live and plan for the moment, and be flexible as changes come. If we had to stick to the business goals we made one day 1, we’d be in trouble five years down the line.

It’s meant to be slow.

And I hope someone else needed to hear that as much as I do!

It’s time for a few Friday Fives! Reflecting this wildly varied weather we’ve been having, here’s a round up of shoulder season picks.

1. I’m doing that weird jeans and sandals thing right now that feels like West Coast cosplay. I love the Biarritz silhouette from Larroude, especially these primary color ones, and that they also come in a jelly.

2. My good friend Alexa is launching a new summer collection of jewelry from her brand on May 20th, and I’ve been wearing a few of the pieces non-stop (essentially willing summer to be here). My picks are the green Cooper and the red Sullivans! Stay tuned for that collection coming soon!

3. We’re almost past jacket season, and windbreaker days are here. So many chic ones right now, including this one from Apparis and this parka from the Gap x Victoria Beckham collab. Love this light blue one that has interesting shape.

4. Sweet spring time jewelry is done - unleash the funky pieces! I must be the only person ordering anklets from Sezane, but I love mine. I also adore these ear cuffs (small and large) and will be reveling in the impracticability.

5. With lots of rain, and at the height of gardening, I have had these waterproof clogs on my list! I always keep a pair of Hunter boots in my car (swear by them - they’re almost 20 years old!), but these are a better fit for the warm weather.

Have a wonderful weekend! Talk to you Monday (hint: prepare for lots of Georgia O’Keeffe!).

xx

Catherine

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As the show is on the road this week, I am combining our normal Monday SOTS and Friday’s check-in into one place! I am just about to wrap a week in Santa Fe and my mind is spinning with inspiration - as someone who has never really spent time in the west, the colors, vastness, and textures are a sensory feast.

I plan to do a full debrief next week, digging into where we went, what we ate, and the ART. But for now I leave you with these nuggets from Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu home. My brain exploded many times over!! Big core memory.

Passing Tax Day always feels like a big milestone - we’re moving fast through spring! On the immediate horizon is Castle Gallery’s first solo show, and I could not be more thrilled or honored to exhibit the work of Washington, DC based artist Katharine Heyl. With the show opening in about a month, I want to take the opportunity to hone in on Katharine’s work and spotlight her studio.

Katharine Heyl Artist Spotlight

Mixed media artist Katharine Heyl grew up in the rich landscape of Vermont, and attended Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts where she received a BFA in Studio Art. It was during these years that Katharine studied sculpture and painting, soon melding them together in her practice, and dug in deeply to the exploration of color theory.

These early experimentations were defined by the foundational theories of Josef Albers, the German-American educator, artist and author of “Interactions of Color.” This book encourages a limited palette to create endless color opportunities, and Katharine’s work has consistently explored this concept. With just a few intentionally selected colors, she cracks open a world of light and shadow, flatness and depth, and a true color spectrum.

Katharine has a unique and fascinating practice. Her work begins with a primed and painting canvas, in which she hand-hammers a periphery of hundreds of brass nails. This task is labor intensive and even painful, a tedious yet meditative beginning to each composition.

She then weaves impossibly thin threads between the nails, creating a lyrical composition that floats above the canvas. Her specific thread color choices resonate against each other and the ground color of the canvas. Her work seems to hum with vibrancy and texture, and the dynamic contrast between the delicate thread and the brass nails marries beauty with utility.

In Katharine’s new work, she has started to incorporate fishing lines, which have a glossy texture, to create sunburst rays within the compositions. In this way, her work becomes akin to the dynamic fade of color in a sunrise or sunset, and creates a dramatic landscape.

One of my favorite parts of Katharine’s work are the contrasts that exist almost impossibly in each singular work. The methodic feat of hammering the nails and weaving the thread gives way to an intuitive, repetitive harmony of color. The hardness of the nails holds together the fineness of the thread. The fragility of the composition (one pair of scissors could cause a complete undoing) is enhanced by the strength and depth of the work as a whole. There is a faith in it all holding together.

I always say that good tension makes good art. Katharine embodies this wholly, and so much more, and it is a beautiful experience to see her work in person.

Katharine’s show How We Grow will open on May 9th with a reception and artist talk from 5-7pm. The show will run until June 28th. We’d love for you to join us for the opening!

To receive information about the show, including a catalog of works in advance, sign-up below.

sign-up for more information

Santa Fe Packing List

Is there anything better than packing for a fun new destination?? The forecast was chilly and sunny, so plenty of layers and textures came with me. This is everything I packed! Heroes of the trip have been my tried and true stitched denim jacket, linen Staud dress, white embroidered blouse, and red barn jacket.

Each of these pieces were repeated and took me from museums to car rides to dinner, which was crucial for leaving room in the suitcase for shopping!

shop the packing list

Stay tuned for a full Santa Fe itinerary coming soon! Have a great weekend, and come see me at the gallery if you’re local!

Talk soon!

Catherine

Let’s work together!

Did you hear that I just launched an artist resources shop on Etsy? Accessibly priced templates for your CV, artist statement, portfolio and gallery applications are now just a click away.

I am also taking on management projects and clients! If you have been putting off creating/overhauling your commission or inventory system, applying to galleries, creating a wholesale catalog, or simply need an efficient and targeted audit - reach out! I’d love to hear from you.

Get in Touch!

Interested in artist strategy? I offer strategy calls for a bite sized opportunity to get help quick and answer your burning questions! You’ll receive detailed notes after our call with action steps for what comes next.

Book a Strategy Call

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Leave a comment

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Happy Friday!

I am wrapping up my work week and setting my OOOs for a trip to Santa Fe starting tomorrow - it’s my first time and I can’t wait to just see something new and inspiring. On the agenda is a lot of art, taking some deep breaths, and letting myself fall into Georgia O'Keeffe’s world.

This past March flew by, which is not often the case with a long month, and I’m struck by the difference a year can make - last year I was in the midst of a month-long gallery pop-up that eventually led to the permanent gallery. It was a jam packed month, and in so many ways it set the intention for all that I’m doing now.

One of my favorite parts of owning my own business is that exactly - a LOT can happen in a year, and much of it you can’t predict exactly. It keeps you on your toes. March marks a big year of change and adventure for the business.

As we go into a new month, I’m thinking a lot about embracing spring and having fun again (versus living in a constant stage of “what’s next”). Louise Roe recently shared great advice she’s received -

“Have fun or you won’t.”

Simple, yet this hit me hard. Lead the culture of your days, how you approach your to-do list, how you enjoy your business - or other circumstances will define it for you! There are always a lot of reasons to be stressed in a business. What is going to be my lead story?

Let’s have fun, April.

Way back when, I used to do the Tuesday Twos - sharing two things from a few different categories that caught my attention. In preservation of the alliteration, let’s do a few Friday Fives based on March favorites!

To start, here are five things I bought in March that quickly became heavy in the rotation.

1. Rhode daily moisturizer. A great moisturizer that is hydrating without being too thick. This was recommended to me by so many people, and is a good add for the upcoming Sephora sale.

2. The perfect long-ish denim shorts. I’ve been on the hunt for longer, non-distressed denim shorts that still feel flattering. These do the trick and are a great price point.

3. Bone broth hot chocolate. Sorry, it’s worth the hype! And back in stock! This satisfies sweet cravings but comes in at 25 grams of protein. Tastes great - just like normal hot chocolate with a touch of saltiness.

4. Morning matcha protein drink. Sorry protein again. I put this vanilla protein shake over ice and then add matcha, and it’s been a game changer in starting my morning right.

5. The perfect, go with everything $30 braided flat. Just bought the white color and can’t wait to finally have a tan to match.

Next, I love how Instagram is feeding me a lot of escapism right now (help). These are five new follows I can’t stop watching and make me actually like Instagram again.

1. From Scratch with Bob. I could watch these videos forever - British countryside + incredible storytelling + from scratch cooking. You will want to homestead.

2. Mairin. The best style finds and travel content. The things she finds are perfectly unusual and chic.

3. Amelia Edmondson. OC based influencer - love her monthly dinner party series and super creative content editing.

4. Tremont Home. Interior designer/DIY creator living in the Cotswolds this spring sharing daily vlogs and all the English countryside clips.

5. Our Table’s Company. Late to the party, but love this mother-daughter account that throws monthly dinner parties and talks all about hosting intergenerationaly.

To end, here’s five non-material favorites from March.

1. Easter florals from the National Cathedral. My retirement plan is flower gild member.

2. Studio visits with artists I admire, perched on some sort of surface and listening to them passionately speak about why they create.

3. Seeing the cherry blossoms becoming tiny green leaf covered trees in real time.

4. Having some of my best friends in town and showing them the gallery and Middleburg - nothing better than yapping for three days straight.

5. Feeling the art world wake up and seeing so much great art from the gallery find a new home. So grateful for all the wonderful support of Castle over the last month!

Have a wonderful weekend! Talk to you Monday (from the road!).

xx

Catherine

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Happy April! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend and that, wherever you are, there are new signs of spring! I can feel all of Middleburg and the area in general waking up.

Did anyone else grow up with the phrase “April is in like a lion and out like a lamb”? I’ve always loved it! April does start a bit tumultuous beyond just the weather - the grind of socials feels real, launches and events that were far in the future start to quickly approach, and sales still feel slow. But by the end of April - sunshine abounds, sales are steady again, and a general sense of peace about what is coming for the rest of spring brings some of the good sort of excitement.

On April 7th (today), I feel the stormy sense of keeping up. Is social doing enough? How can I get the right art in front of the right collectors? How can my management clients feel even more seen, and how can we plan for them in the most strategic way? The juggling - it’s a lot!

Now more than ever, it feels important to get your people around you. Whether that’s other business owners, coaches, employees/contractors - the communal push through this time of year is real. Remember - just keep going because so many others won’t. And if you’re an art in need of support/auditing/advice - reach out! I’d love to hear from you.

contact me!

This April I have a little challenge to myself! As the owner of two businesses, I don’t think routine has ever been more important. Not so that I can maximize every second, but so that my time can be the most balanced and I can maintain a sense of sanity.

I’m thinking a lot about how to marry being productive with being grounded. I’m actively honing in on a few practices for starting and ending my work day, every day, that help me stay on track and feel less frantic.

To start the day -

When I wake up in the morning, my phone is always Bricked from the night before. This is when I most use my Brick and it is life changing. Scrolling on social first thing is such a bad habit for me, and seems to throw off the rest of my morning. If I can avoid this, we’re starting well.

Within 30 minutes of getting up, I get outside. This sounds crunchy but the shift in starting with a calm mind and straight priorities is a game changer. Usually this means a walk, but some days I just stand outside with my tea for a minute or two.

After my walk, I write before I consume. Right now this looks like my artist pages (from The Artist’s Way) and daily devotional. I usually do this as I eat my breakfast. Create > consume.

Finally, I open my laptop. I set a 30 minute timer to tackle emails, which is a strategy that really helps me (I struggle a lot with staying on top of emails, but am specifically focusing on trying to get better and the timer is surprisingly effective!).

Before I dive into my commute, I post on social media or check that my scheduled post went live.

To end the day -

To finish off my day, I do much of the above in reverse. I engage on social media (10 minute timer), answer final emails (10 minute timer), and answer texts (30 minute timer).

I brain dump in Asana any tasks that are top of mind for the next day or that weren’t completed.

I get outside if I can, before Bricking my phone and calling it a night.

Most of this might seem really basic, but I find that it’s the most routine acts that are not only the most important, but also the most likely to take a hit when things get really busy.

A good challenge this month is to craft the morning and night steps that you KNOW make you feel your best and most productive. The above routines are my ideal, and sometimes only half of them actually happen. But it takes the mental load off to know what my plan is, even if I have to deviate slightly.

Looking ahead, I have a lot of excitement about the future of the gallery. This is mostly due to so many wonderful studio visits over the last six weeks. The artists are at the heart of our programming, and it’s rewarding to see the place where the ideation, challenge, and production of incredible art happens.

Our Katharine Heyl show opens on May 9th (mark your calendars!), and we have a few fun pop-ups happening in the next two months. Caroline Gray will be back in the gallery on April 30 - May 1st for a pre-Gold Cup pop-up, Riley Sheehey will be with us on May 2nd for a pre-Mother’s Day pop-up, and a mahjong day is in the works for June!

In the meantime, I’m going to Santa Fe for the first time next week and couldn’t be more excited. It’s been on my wishlist for years and I’m ready to be inspired with a totally different landscape. If you have Santa Fe recs, send them my way!

Talk soon!

Catherine

Let’s work together!

Did you hear that I just launched an artist resources shop on Etsy? Accessibly priced templates for your CV, artist statement, portfolio and gallery applications are now just a click away.

I am also taking on management projects and clients! If you have been putting off creating/overhauling your commission or inventory system, applying to galleries, creating a wholesale catalog, or simply need an efficient and targeted audit - reach out! I’d love to hear from you.

Get in Touch!

Interested in artist strategy? I offer strategy calls for a bite sized opportunity to get help quick and answer your burning questions! You’ll receive detailed notes after our call with action steps for what comes next.

Book a Strategy Call

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

I took a work day trip to Charlottesville this week, and I never seem to have enough time in this perfect Virginian city. I started the day with a studio visit with Stephanie Fishwick, who I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the last year. Steph is a world-renowned calligrapher and artist, and her studio is a dreamscape of collaged boxes, calligraphed envelopes, and spools of ribbon.

Stephanie is opening up her studio May 1st and 2nd for a studio sale and I highly suggest getting there if you can. She’ll have stationery, paper goods, boxes, and a few surprises. RSVP by emailing studio@stephaniefishwick.com.

Steph recommended Chou Chou Rachou as an ideal recharge spot between appointments, and it was simply perfect. I wish I could’ve stayed all day to sample every single pastry, and I’m counting down to my next visit.

I then swung by Jennifer Esser’s light filled studio in the heart of town to pick up some new work for the gallery. Jennifer’s work is complex to categorize, but includes deeply layered expressionist landscapes, handwritten text buried under energetic brushstrokes and sweeping arcs of color. Real and surreal, her work is a reflection on place and nostalgia, and is as fresh as the new season.

Jennifer’s new work is now hung in the gallery and I look forward to continuing to share more about her practice.

Finally, I had a lovely studio visit with Lindsey Luna Tucker at Phaeton Gallery. Lindsey’s work is deeply rooted in the physical world, yet is visually a reflection of interior experience - emotions and nostalgia play out in rich colors and exaggerated gestures. She just finished a successful show, and it was a treat to see the beginnings of her next body of work.

If you are in Charlottesville in April, these are two shows you must see.

1. Cate West Zahl at Phaeton Gallery - “In this body of work, Zahl turns her attention to the quiet language of the natural world, bringing the outside into her

   studio and translating it through observation, gesture, and reflection.”

2. Fine Art + Flowers at Second Street Gallery - '“Featuring paintings by Karen Blair, Lee Christmas Halstead, Berkeley Hoerr, Krista Townsend, Priscilla Whitlock, Laura Wooten, and Cate West Zahl, the exhibition presents a diverse spectrum of styles and compositions. From intimate studies of individual blossoms to lush and expansive arrangements, each artist offers a distinct interpretation of botanical subject matter. Together, their works create a visual dialogue that mirrors the diversity of Central Virginia’s own natural environment.”

There are a huge concentration of artists and art spaces in Charlottesville, and I cannot recommend it enough. Springtime is the perfect time for a visit!

5 Favorites from March

1. Beast Blender. As soon as I got this blender out of its box, I have lived and died by it. A step up from the Nutribullet in terms of aesthetics and ability to be on the go - I love the options for lids and the stainless steel version if you’re avoiding plastic blenders! I have the Mighty and it’s perfect for daily use.

2. Springy Sezane dress. An immediate order from Sezane. I can’t wait to wear this dress with a sweater in spring, and on its own in summer. Sezane does embroidery and detail so well!

3. $24 H&M flats. A hero of my wardrobe - these flat go with everything and immediately dress up easy weekend go-tos. The texture and color are on trend while being evergreen repeats.

4. Ginori paper plates. One of my favorite new additions to the studio at Castle! I love these plates so much and the uses are endless - kids table, dishes-free hosting, mahjong nights. Mixing and matching is the best part!

5. Thrive Market. My friends were recently asking about my Thrive Market subscription and honestly it’s such a game changer. I really don’t like Whole Foods (or really grocery shopping in general), so being able to order the same brands, everything from protein drinks to lip balm, in one place is such a time saver. It’s definitely been a big $$ saver too!

Happy Easter! This time of year is so special. I hope this weekend brings time spent with loved ones and enjoying the good weather if you have it!

-Catherine

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more from us, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

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Happy Monday! I hope you had a beautiful weekend wherever in the world you are! Middleburg was in its chilly, sunny prime, and it felt good to soak it in, knowing that glass of wine outside days are just beginning.

I ended up switching around a lot of the gallery, shuffling and creating new pairings. Things are feeling fresh. While I struggle to do this with my own collection, it’s amazing how much moving things around gives you new energy and helps you see new connections. These were a couple of my favorite new groupings.

While there is much on the horizon with Castle, I am excited to turn again to spotlighting my management work with artists. I love working hands on in studio businesses, and it’s such a joy to get to be a part of their growth. If you’ve been looking for assistance, from marketing to commissions to strategy, I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me an email and I’ll give you more information!

contact me!

In the vein of artist management, some of the most common questions I am asked are related to manufacturing and product development. I often see artists struggle to source great partners, wondering who in the world everyone else uses. And, in my opinion, this is justified! A great printer or product manufacturer can mean life changing things for a business.

That being said, I believe that there’s some clear dos and don’ts surrounding sourcing manufacturers and how to crowdsource information. I’ll also include a few of my favorite manufacturers at the end!

Don’ts of Product Development -

• Ask strangers on the internet for their manufacturers. The closest comparison for this situation is when someone asks an interior designer for all the paint colors they used in a recent project. That information exists, yes. But someone paid for it, or worked hard to get it just right. It’s okay to not hand over your manufacturing information freely, and I would avoid asking someone directly (especially if you don’t know them!).

• Unnecessarily diversify your manufacturers. If you can make two or more products with one company, do it! This avoids having to maintain a wide variety of relationships, possibilities of troubleshooting, and shipping fees.

• Forget to account for shipping and tariff fees. While there are wonderful overseas manufacturers, see if you can source domestic first, and local preferably, to avoid expensive shipping and custom fees.

• Start with lots of different products at once. Instead, start small! Don’t overwhelm yourself with a variety of products that each have their own methods of development, shipping, and pricing. Perfect one or two products first, and build from there.

• Settle for poor quality. Sometimes the first manufacturer you encounter is not the best. Even though it might be easy, don’t settle. You’ll be glad to search out the high quality partners, which will pay off for years to come.

Dos of Product Development -

• Think before you jump in. I always tell artists to really think before jumping into the world of product. Can you keep the brand elevated while expanding? Yes, you can make magnets. But do magnets meet your customer in a needed niche? Or are you doing it because you can. This is why art prints are a natural first product category for artists - they often solve a real problem (price point of originals) and make sense for an artist brand.

• Harness your community. Remember how we shouldn’t ask random strangers on the internet for their product sources? Well, you should try to be in a genuine community of artists that supports and crowdsources together. Trading information on an equal playing field is incredibly valuable.

• Think big picture about how it impacts your business. While some products sound fun to make, they can really disrupt your workflow instead of enhance it. For example, are you now going to have to figure out how to ship giant printed canvases? How much time is that going to take weekly? Or can the company drop-ship? What kind of daily maintenance is needed to keep the product going?

• Sample first, invest second. Always sample. Always! Make sure that you can touch and feel the product before investing in a big run. All manufacturers should have an option for this.

• Prioritize integration with your current ecommerce system. Related to thinking big picture, take time to consider how easily these new products can integrate with your current system for selling.

Since we’re on the topic, these are a few manufacturers that I have worked with for years and love -

• Printswell: My go-to for anything paper. I get all of my branding assets from here, but you could also order your stationery to sell. They will blind ship with your branding!

• Noissue: A great resource for packaging of all kinds! I have personally purchased tissue paper and tote bags.

• Printify: A Shopify integrated manufacturer network. An enormous catalog of product and everything is both connected to your ordering system and drop-shipped.

Let’s work together!

Did you hear that I just launched an artist resources shop on Etsy? Accessibly priced templates for your CV, artist statement, portfolio and gallery applications are now just a click away.

I am also taking on management projects and clients! If you have been putting off creating/overhauling your commission or inventory system, applying to galleries, creating a wholesale catalog, or simply need an efficient and targeted audit - reach out! I’d love to hear from you.

Get in Touch!

Interested in artist strategy? I offer strategy calls for a bite sized opportunity to get help quick and answer your burning questions! You’ll receive detailed notes after our call with action steps for what comes next.

Book a Strategy Call

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Leave a comment

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I get more requests for this Substack than anything else, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to an incredibly special place - Middleburg, VA. I first visited Middleburg many years ago as a native Northern Virginian, and even though it is located just about 90 minutes outside of DC, you feel like you are a world away. Middleburg isn’t called “the Cotswolds of the US” for nothing!

Middleburg, a small town of about 700 people, is the capital of horse and hunt country, the heart of Virginia wine country, and home to three world class resorts and hotels - the Salamander, Red Fox Inn, and Goodstone Inn. I often refer to it as an incubator for small business because, besides Safeway and J McLaughlin, almost every shop and restaurant is independent.

Once known exclusively for horses or antique hunting, Middleburg is now so much more.

While I am mostly approaching this guide from the perspective of day-trippers, Middleburg is also a great weekend trip! Beyond the three resorts, there are incredible Airbnbs in the area that make for the perfect getaway.

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Getting here is half the fun

One of the best parts of coming to Middleburg is what you can see along the way. I might have to do a separate deep dive into all the special (tiny!) towns in the Middleburg area, but The Plains and Aldie are on the way to Middleburg (depending on how you come) and are both fabulous pit stops.

Option 1: The Plains. You’ll come through The Plains if you take I-66 all the way from DC or are coming from the south. I highly recommend this route if you love a scenic drive. Stop for coffee at Doppio Bunny or tea at Crest Hill Tea Room, lunch or dinner at the Bistro or Girasole (one of my most favorite restaurants). Baileywyck Antiques is worth the stop!

Option 2: Aldie. If you come via RT 50, you’ll drive through the sweet town of Aldie. I would highly recommend stopping for a GREAT cup of coffee or a crepe at the La Selva truck in the parking lot of Mercer Antiques (a fabulous antique shop). Oak and Ember just opened for lunch and dinner and, although I haven’t been yet, I’ve heard it’s incredible. Book in advance!

Guide to Middleburg

When you get to Middleburg, you can find street parking or a spot in one of the free lots. Unless there’s a race or special event, parking is usually very easy. I would recommend planning your trip over the weekend since most shops are open Thursday - Sunday. Some shops and restaurants on the main street (Washington Street) are open 7 days a week.

When the weather is warm, wineries cannot be missed. I would start in Middleburg with some shopping, pick up a pizza (or two) from Knead, and find a winery to enjoy lunch and a tasting flight.

Below are all the spots I think you should bookmark when in town! All of them are unmissable in my book, but enjoy finding your own rotation of favorite shops.

Art and Museums

Castle Gallery - Obviously! Come see me! We’re a contemporary art gallery and retail space featuring artists from the region and beyond. I can’t wait to meet you!

Artists in Middleburg - A non-profit gallery featuring hundreds of original artworks by hyper local artists. A long-time favorite spot in Middleburg to see lots of art in one place!

National Sporting Library and Museum - Often overlooked, the National Sporting Library is not to be missed. Not only is it in a beautiful building with a stunning permanent collection, but they have a wonderful schedule of rotating exhibitions.

Home Shops

Bedford Lee - A new home store opened by Sarah Horton that is beyond gorgeous. Incredible selection of home wares, tabletop, and gifting.

Creme de la Creme - An institution that began in Middleburg, Creme de la Creme features a trove of beautiful product - from candles to books to garden pots. There’s no place like it!

Every Little Something - A high-end stationery shop that also sells gorgeous paper items. A true jewel box of a shop!

Federal & Black - You’ll be immediately transported as soon as you step into Rebecca’s perfectly curated selection of candles, drink/non-ABV accoutrements, and rich, dark-interior inspiration.

Loudon Market - A new shop to Middleburg with a wide selection of gift and home items, including the owner’s in house jewelry brand, Two Jaynes.

Middleburg Books - My favorite bookshop ever. Not only do they have the best selection of adult and children’s books, every bookkeeper is deeply knowledgeable and FUN to talk to about their picks.

Nature Composed - Bursting at the seams with the most beautiful plants, Nature Composed is every gardener’s idea of heaven.

Stitch - Needlepointers, this is for you! Not only does Stitch offer a wide range of canvases, threads, and tools, they also have community stitch nights and offer finishing.

Antique Shops

Accidental Peacock - The best prices in town! You might have to dig a bit, but I’ve found crystal, silver, and china here for insane prices.

Hastening Antiques - If you’re looking to be inspired, this is a great place to start! Right next to Bedford Lee and Stitch, a beautiful antique gallery featuring mostly European antiques.

Middleburg Antique Gallery - The main antique shop in town! Warning - you may loose all sense of space and time in this huge antique shop. Don’t miss the downstairs booths, and the rug shop.

The Paradise Antiques - How to even explain this special place? Like no antique shop you’ve ever been to! While you’ll need to drive, Paradise is 5 minutes from Middleburg and the most beautiful antique shop and barn on private land. Look out for horses and Peppermint, the shop dog, as you drive in!

Clothes Shops

Afield - A staple of the horse country wardrobe for both men and women. A great place to find Ann Mashburn if you don’t live by a shop!

English Country Classics - For the guys! An impeccable selection of mens clothing, hats, ties, pocket squares, etc. I do all my gift buying for the guys here!

Tom Beckbe - The menswear shop originally from Birmingham is now open! Think waxed canvas everything - from toiletry bags to sports coats to hunting jackets.

Tully Rector - My personal favorite place to shop in Middleburg! A great place to find brands such as Staud, Cara Cara, Ulla Johnson, Doen, and more. Keep an eye out of their regular sales!

Zest - A fun women’s clothing shop featuring bright colors and patterns, event dresses, and every day elevated pieces.

Kids Shops

The Playroom - One of the best toy stores I’ve ever been to. Caution bringing actual kids - they will never want to leave.

Posh Pixie - A baby and kids clothing shop with a range of organic brands and price points - I love that they carry Pink Chicken!

Coffee Shops

Common Ground - The main coffee shop in town - they have a selection of pastries, sandwiches, and coffee/tea drinks. A great place to sit outside in the warm weather!

Giddy Up - My go-to quick tea spot! A small coffee shop with some light snacks.

Salamander - Enjoy coffee with a view at the Salamander Resort between 6 - 10:30am in the Gold Cup Billiards Room.

Where to Eat/Drink (A non-comprehensive winery list!)

Boxwood Winery (21+) - In my opinion, Boxwood has the best wine of the Middleburg wineries. Their Bordeaux style is truly so delicious, and it’s a fun place to visit in the summer because of its stunning setting. The vibe is definitely more formal, so I recommend going for a tasting versus to linger. No outside food.

Greenhill Winery (21+) - My favorite local winery! Great wine, stunning views, and I love that you can bring your own food if you sit outside. They also have fire-pits that you can rent!

Knead Wine & Pizza - Delicious pizza and a charming wine bar. While they don’t have seating, their takeout is very quick and easy for those visiting wineries or taking it back to their Airbnb.

Lost Barrel Brewery (family friendly) - A local favorite brewery with lots of room for big groups, kids, and dogs. They offer live music as well as a wide selection of food, from brunch to wings.

Nomad - A great place to grab a drink and some sustenance at the end of a day shopping in Middleburg. Cozy inside in the winter, and a great place to sit outside in the warmer weather. The pretzel is a must-get.

Red Fox Inn - A star of Middleburg. Their tasting menu is incredible and perfect for celebrations. They also offer a tavern on their second floor that is first come, first served and less fancy.

Thaiverse - A delicious Thai restaurant in case you’re craving it while in town!

Tremolo - My personal favorite spot to eat in Middleburg. Founded by a somm, their wine list is fantastic and the food is out of this world. Medium sized plates perfect for sharing.

Upper Crust - An old time bakery that will satisfy your sweet tooth! Their cookies can’t be beat in town. Also a great spot for a breakfast sandwich!

I mean…do we think this was long enough?? Ha! And I could keep going. I love this special town and love to share about it. The community here is very special, and it’s a joy to be in the fold.

Please stop by the gallery and say hey next time you’re in town! Spring and fall are especially lovely times to visit, and make you feel like you’re in the English countryside.

If you have questions or requests for more guides to my favorite spots in Virginia, let me know!

-Catherine

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more from us, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Good morning and happy Monday!

In celebration of a new week and the inevitable to-do list that is likely sitting in front of you, I wanted to introduce a helpful resource that wants to ally with that to-do list. Take some weight off your shoulders. Answer evergreen questions you’ve asked. And skip to up spending more time in the studio.

Born from the same motivations as this Substack, the State of the Studio Etsy shop is now live! Launching with four distinct digital guides, plus a bundle offering, these are resources every artist needs.

SHOP THE ETSY SHOP

As an artist manager, I have see the same questions, obstacles, stumbling blocks, and confusions arise time and time again. How should my CV actually be formatted (do you italicize show names? Or art venues?)? What should be included in my email to a gallery? Do I need a portfolio PDF? (Yes!) How do I even create that?

An artist statement, biography, CV, and portfolio are non-negotiable for existing and growing in the art world. But are they the best use of your time to create? My argument would be no - these materials mostly follow the same format from artist to artist. They don’t need to be reinvented. They need to be customized.

I have used each of these guides in my years of work with artists, and now am offering them to all, at a really affordable price point. I want them to be accessible for the brand new art student all the way to the seasoned artist that needs a refresh for gallery applications.

What’s in the Shop:

Artist CV

A easy to follow PDF guide to writing your artist resume, better known as a CV, and a template to make it your own quickly. This template includes all possible categories for a CV, making it easy to hone down on what applies to you.

Artist Bio and Statement

A PDF guide on all things artist statements and biographies - what makes them different from each other, dos and don’ts for each, and a template for your artist bio.

Gallery Application Guide

My favorite offering in the shop! If you are interested in applying to galleries, this guide has all the specifics you need. Exactly what to say in an email to a gallery (plus follow-up email templates!), a tracking spreadsheet for your application process, and prompts for targeting the right galleries for you.

Artist Portfolio

A formatted Canva presentation (you can also convert to PowerPoint) with pre-determined formatting and content for consolidating your practice into a clear portfolio. I have used this template ENDLESSLY!

The Bundle!

Everything above in one package - this is what you need if you want to feel confident about every aspect of your gallery applications!

I have been circling this idea for years, and am thrilled to finally make these resources available to you! To celebrate our launch, all guides are currently 25% off, so now is as good a time as any. If you have questions, please let me know and I’d love to support what you do.

I hope the resources in this shop grow from this core collection! Is there a template or guide you’d like to see? A particularly helpful format (Google Doc template, Canva, video, etc)? Let me know!

Cheering you on!

Catherine

Gallery News

Our next show at Castle Gallery will open on May 9th, in coordination with Middleburg’s art fair - Art in the Burg. I cannot wait to present the work of Katharine Heyl, a incredible mixed media artist based in Washington, DC.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming pop-ups, events, and openings. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

I gravitate towards towards red when I’m excited about color again, and this year I’m loving pairing it with chartreuse, cream, and every shade of blue.

my spring picks

1. Aligne just joined the silk short conversation, and these are perfect to me!

2. I bought my first pair of Aloha sneakers this year, and I love how they are “brandless” and bold.

3. Another Aligne favorite for when you need a white top that looks great with everything from jean shorts to a pareo at the beach.

4. Hill House is consistently incredible, and their new shift dress silhouette would make as great an Easter dress as easy weekend wear.

5. Sea NY nails details. Period!

6. J Crew’s new bag silhouette in a punchy green is screaming for the first patio dining of the season.

7. Nothing beats a set that can take you from spring to summer, and this one from La Maregold fits the bill. (I also love a Ciao Lucia set from The Real Real that I highlight at the end of the newsletter - very similar vibe).

Mentally I’m at Amen Corner

Something in the back of my mind is always connecting spring to the Masters - they are epitomous! Layers are key, hats are recommended, and fun textures are welcome. The first time I went to the Masters I thought - “this is truly a Disney land of men.” But the Masters is absolutely for the ladies as well, and I think it’s fun to lean into the unexpected. I love the idea of playing off traditional golf wear and incorporating taffeta, knits, and straw - comfort and interest can co-exist!

shop my masters edit

If you’ll be at the Masters, stop by my favorite shop Scotties while in town! The best of the best.

It's Real Real Season Again

For some members of my family (cough cough my incredibly well dressed brother), it’s always Real Real season. But I tend to turn to it especially in shoulder seasons, when I’m feeling excited about a new season of dressing. Not to pat myself on the back too much, but right now my favorites folder is absolutely stunning.

my living, breathing real real edit

There’s no better way to have interest in your closet than buying second-hand, especially because it feels less trend driven and more based on what you love season after season.

My go-to searches are: Loeffler Randall, Doen, Rosie Assoulin, Ulla Johnson, Ganni, Mi Golondrina, Ciao Lucia, and Ann Mashburn. If I’m looking for occasion wear: Alexis, Ulla Johnson, Cult Gaia, Brandon Maxwell, Aje, and Zimmerman.

So there you have it! A big ol’ roundup for what shopping tabs I have open on my computer right now. Spring is finally upon us!

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more from us, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

I’ve never understood the hype around January 1st - am I supposed to wake up on the first of the year and feel an overwhelming sense of renewal?? All I ever feel is strung out after the holidays, ready for a nap, and very, very full.

March 1st, however? Now that’s the start of something! Spring cleaning season! Daffodil season! Spring is inherently connected to the practice of creativity and creation, and it’s no wonder that it’s one of the busiest in the art world. Between art fairs, new artwork releases, and artists brimming with inspiration, this month has started to mark my true start to the year. (Private companies make up their own fiscal year, why not us?)

The downside of the shifting season is that consistent practices can start to get lost, and a plan is recommended to stay on top of everything. If you’re an artist, this is a spring checklist I would highly recommend!

#1. Fill out your yearly calendar.

Do you know when all your gallery deadlines are? What collections are you planning? What travel do you know you have? Put it all on the calendar, even if it’s not set in stone yet. You should be able to at least see the gaps of opportunity at this point, informing what you still need to plan. For example - nothing planned for June? Can you have a pop-up at a local shop? Or host an open studio? How about a print release?

Here’s how I typically fill out an artist’s calendar -

• Start with concrete dates that likely will not change. Gallery shows. Brand collaborations. Fairs or markets. Personal travel.

• Fill in the blanks with collection releases from the studio (original collections, mini collections, print releases, archive sale). Although you are planning your own releases after the above concrete dates, they are not secondary, only more flexible.

• Identify your gaps. Supplement with pop-ups, collaborations, retreats, or new product releases.

#2. Plan your monthly task-focused days.

In the vein of planning, spring is the perfect time to remind yourself to schedule important monthly dates. Put them on your calendar on the first of the month and hold yourself to them! Every month I have -

• A CEO day. This is primarily a strategy day. What are my goals this month and have we met previous goals? What’s not working? How might we fix it? I need these days to keep me on track and carve out time for brainstorming, not execution.

• Tax day. I record my mileage on Quickbooks, pay my sales tax, and reconcile my accounts from the previous month.

• Artist date. A fun day to prioritize inspiration! I will take myself to a museum, antiquing, or window shopping in Georgetown. Whatever sounds fun to you! It’s crucial to be consuming art outside the internet.

#3. Don’t forget email!

When it comes to marketing, my brain is always on social. But our email lists are the most crucial connection to clients we have. Spring is the perfect time to remind your audience to sign-up for your emails, and schedule time to create a certain number of emails per month. I recommend at least two emails per month: a monthly newsletter from the studio, which can include a mix of personal and professional updates, and at least one sales focused email depending on your upcoming releases.

For sale focused emails, keep it simple and image heavy. Create a template if you don’t have on already and reuse, reuse!

#4. Batch your social content and create routines.

This is nothing ground breaking, but batching content is something I’ve finally committed to personally. I created a Canva with a layout of my IG feed, and then dropped in ideas for each post. This gave me a plan, before spending an hour batching a bunch of content and scheduling it.

As you make your content, remember that personal branding is crucial for your business. As cringe as it might make you feel, make sure to include yourself in some of your content. Collectors want to see the artist behind the work!

So that you’re never playing catch-up, make routines for yourself where you consistently capture content.

• Every time you are in the studio, set up your tripod and get five b-roll clips from consistent angles. I leave my tripod where I know I’ll see it first thing the next day (pictured at the gallery!).

• Once a month, create a day in my life reel. I thought this tutorial was really helpful.

• Every time you have an upcoming collection follow a structure of five posts/reels, each with a specific purpose.

• Experiment with different trending formats, such as videos turning your artwork around, progress vs. finished artwork, detail videos, etc. Take content with a trend of choice in mind, and repeat.

Building these habits at the start of the year means it will be easier to sustain them!

#5. Place orders for all your branding assets.

Order all of your branding assets for the first half of the year now, and pin point anything you may need but don’t have. I find that I often run out of stickers and business cards in the middle of a busy time, so my future self thanks me when I do this in advance. Also, ordering in bulk is typically less expensive!

I usually use a mix of Printswell and Noissue.

#6. Refresh your website, and other platforms.

Do this once a quarter (at least!)! We should be self-auditing consistently, but it always seems to fall off the to-do list. I set a timer for 20 minutes and browse my own website, jotting down edits on a notepad as I see them. I then batch edit all at once at the end, which makes the task feel achievable and like checking the box. The more you do this, the less time it will take you to update.

When I audit, I go through my -

• Website

• Substack

• Instagram (I review my bio, pinned posts, and highlights)

• Flodesk (I double check that header and footer information on my emails don’t need to updated)

So there you have it - this is my checklist for artist studios this March! I’d love to know if there’s anything you consistently do this time of year? What would you add?

Cheering you on!

Catherine

Gallery News

Our next show at Castle Gallery will open on May 9th, in coordination with Middleburg’s art fair - Art in the Burg. I cannot wait to present the work of Katharine Heyl, a incredible mixed media artist based in Washington, DC.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming pop-ups, events, and openings. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Leave a comment

Subscribe now

This past October was one of the busiest of my life - I went from one business to two, working from home to having a brick and mortar storefront (with a 90 minute commute!), no solid programming to six weeks worth of holiday related events, incredibly low overhead to real Expenses with a capital E.

My life-long dream was happening in real time. And I was also incredibly stressed. The weight of that responsibility felt heavy and the pressure to capitalize on opening before the holidays (over 17k people come to Middleburg over a single weekend in December) weighed on me. I had a lot to do, and needed to do it fast.

This is absolutely the reality of starting a business and I have heard this mix of emotions described by so many founders. I was doing what I needed to do, but I was also in survival mode / day by day mode until mid-February when I finally re-opened the full gallery space along with a new show, and moved out of a beloved yet overpriced apartment. On February 15th, I took a breath. And then got a gastro bug. And THEN felt like I could finally breath again.

There’s always something else to be stressed about, especially if you have your own business, but I’m finally feeling myself start to come back to a new baseline. I’m craving routine (highly unusual!!), and have found a few things I actually enjoy that are also good for me (revelatory!!). We’re eating our metaphorical (and literal) veggies, but we’re doing it in a way that feels like something to look forward to.

I can feel my nervous system resetting and these are the signs (and also the causes) -

1. Yes, I’m doing a lemon, ginger and olive oil shot in the morning.

Turmeric on the top. It’s spicy and wakes me up, and feels like a signal to my brain that it’s time to get going. I absolutely ADORE Gut Feelings written by Ella Henry and she had the genius idea of making the lemon/ginger concentrate and freezing it. So now it takes me 2 seconds to make hot lemon ginger water on the mornings when I opt for that instead of the shot. Bonus for cute ice molds. And even better - I make a lemon ginger loaf from the pulp that is super delicious.

I also just upgraded my blender and got the Beast. Obsessed. I have the Mighty and it makes on-the-go smoothies much easier. I love that they have a stainless steal version and could not recommend the whole system enough!

2. I’m living in the season (whatever that means in Northern Virginia)

When I’m less stressed, I’m more present. I notice more and want to feel like a human again after a long day of work. I actively try to get to a stopping point so I can fit in a walk before dinner or after. I am that person that stops 1 mil times during a walk to look at what’s blooming and how things have changed since yesterday. I want to see it all and be in awe!

shop spring edits

I start getting excited to dress for the changing season after our first 60 degree day! A colorful light jacket is right all of a sudden, pink is baseline, and trading in boots for woven flats feels fresh. I’m inspired and feeling adventurous while getting dressed, like the special occasion is this tumultuous weather day in March.

3. I start feeling like my vacation self.

On vacation, I always get up early because I’m too excited to sleep. I want to soak in all the little moments that say “you’re somewhere special and new.” Taking this mindset home means making my matcha slowly and with all the gadgets. Dry brushing before the shower (feels like sandpaper the first few times but now my skin has never been softer). I’m sorry but, yes, self-tanner is back in the weekly rotation and it helps. Working late? How about we take this to the roof with a glass of wine.

Instead of routine being an ugly word that forces me into line and hands me a long to-do list as soon as I open my eyes, I approach every moment like something that could be celebrated and elevated and special - just how it feels when you’re on vacation.

4. I care about my own creativity again.

This is not something that is thriving when I’m in a flight or fight mentality. It is two-fold right now - on a personal level I’m working through The Artist’s Way with Caroline Lunne and loving the deep work it invites on my personal journey as a creative, and not just as someone working adjacent to artists (for those familiar, this is the “shadow artist” theory). Spending time looking at art again and allowing it to be just for enjoyment is so freeing, and I had the best time visiting a favorite, the National Museum of Asian Art, last week. Whistler always does it for me!

Professionally, harnessing that creativity towards making Shopmy boards, batching content, writing Substack outlines, and building new templates to repeat (like my weekly gallery outfit reels) feels like a gift to my less-creative self whenever the tides change. Someone once gave me the advice “create while you have the ideas” and I’m leaning into that!

—

As March rolls by, I know I’m not just surviving anymore. At least for now, I’m building bit by bit, everyday. This steady incline - not flat out sprinting but we’re getting somewhere everyday, breathing easier even when it’s not all easy - reflects the steady build of the season. Spring is coming!

Cheering you on,

Catherine

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or left a comment - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more from us, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

Good morning and happy Monday! I don’t know about you, but I could not be MORE thrilled that March is here and that spring is starting to bloom. Likely due to my southern-raised mom, I tell time during this transitional season in daffodils and forsythia. While many of you may have true “January Jasmine” (how lovely is this nickname for forsythia?! I’ve always loved it!), the explosive yellow branches are just starting to bloom here in Northern Virginia and March truly feels new in every way!

Inside the gallery walls, our recently opened inaugural exhibition “Momentary Pastures” is bringing fresh breath into the space and I love seeing a mix of artwork by ten artists I admire. This show has a bit of everything and it’s fun to notice what resonates with people - from visitors who recognize Shelby Monteverde’s works in person after following along for years to audible gasps when looking closely at Caroline Stroud’s 3D works on paper.

To see visitors connect with art on the spot - these are my pinch me moments!

Large scale and tiny, realism and abstraction - this show has it all. Some of my favorite works are still available and you can view them here. We ship and love seeing works from this show find homes near and far.

On the sales front, it really feels like things are picking up. The snow and more snow, on top of already quiet months in Middleburg, meant that our January and February were almost dormant. Maybe you relate to this, but why is it so hard to accept a slower pace when you have it, and trust that you’ll need it for what’s ahead?

Now that we are in March, I’ve been reflecting a lot on retail lessons learned in January and February. My advice to my 2027 self is -

1) Strive less. Accept the slower pace and don’t worry if visitors are few and far between some days. This season is short and needed in its own way, and busier times are ahead - especially in seasonal, destination towns.

2) January is for downtime - use it to take some time off and physically reset the gallery after the madness of the holidays. This is the time for moving furniture, painting, organizing, merchandizing, and updating the website.

3) Your creativity will start to come back in February. Plant the seeds that will become the events, programming, work travel, and time off for the year. Get the giant calendar out now!

4) Use these months to connect to the heartbeat of the gallery - the artists! Studio visits! Zoom calls! We all need the connection at the beginning of the year, and this helps remind me why we’re doing what we do.

5) Open a show by early March. Preferably one that feels like warmer, brighter days might actually be possible again! Create your own momentum, and ride that wave into spring (typically the busiest season in the art world).

6) On a practical note, order all of your branding assets and shipping supplies in bulk now. From thank you notes, about cards, stickers, tote bags, bubble wrap, you NAME it! When things are busy, you’ll be glad to have these things on hand. Get your house in order! (I use Printswell Fulfillment for most of my paper assets - they’re the best!).

I’m learning so much every day, and have started a Google Doc called “Lessons Learned for 2027.” Anytime I think of something that worked well or something I would do differently, I drop it here. Try it and maybe your future self will thank you too? I find it’s easier to remember when it’s fresh in my mind!

As this is still year 1 (quarter 1!) of the gallery, we are playing some catch-up (not quite at scheduling programming a year in advance!), but the pieces are falling into place. I’m thrilled for our next show opening on May 9th, in coordination with Middleburg’s art fair - Art in the Burg, and to welcome the work of Katharine Heyl. Katharine’s new body of work will be the subject of a solo show, and I cannot wait to dive into her intricate, impossibly beautiful process with you all soon.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming pop-ups, events, and openings. We can’t wait to see you soon! Middleburg is coming alive with spring again, and it’s worth a trip to witness.

Happy spring!

-Catherine

Thank you for reading! If this post was helpful or interesting to you, I would love it if you liked or commented - it’s a joy to hear from you and it helps us reach more readers like you!

Questions for the Studio Group Chat, our advice column for artists? Leave your question in a comment below!

For more, follow along on Instagram with me and the gallery. To view available artwork and artist products, visit Castle Gallery here!

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Just like the Valentine’s from Kindergarten (was there anything better?!) - this edit is bite sized! I am in the throes of moving this week and am simply surrounded by Hulkens and shopping bags full of THINGS. So I’m looking for joy in one of my favorite holidays that always comes right when you need it. Valentine’s Day is a bright spot in an otherwise monotonous and grey time - made especially so this year by the mountains of snow that are wayyy past their prime.

As we hold out for warmer weather and spring dressing, this Valentine’s Day edit is holding me over!

1. Sea is always the answer, and their new styles are SO dreamy (and very Wuthering Heights core) - especially this lace blouse and billowy shirt.

2. I lean towards funky jewelry that has a personality and two of my favorites are this beaded necklace (I’ve been wearing the Laguna style for years and they hold up) and these drop earrings, which are as good as everyone says they are.

3. A robe I would actually want to get.

4. The perfect night out bag, and the perfect day out bag.

5. I don’t know why I am so obsessed with the sleep cardigan, but I am. Also to file under the unnecessary but necessary - Liberty nike-style shorts.

6. I own these flat slides in mustard and wear them ALL the time. May need to add the pink!

shop the full edit

I’ve had so much fun building out the Castle Gallery website, which is up to date and shopable! Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? From playing cards to original artwork, we have it.

If you’re in the DMV and looking for a day-trip, come see me in Middleburg this long weekend or, better yet!, next Saturday (2.21) for our first opening of 2026. I can’t wait to share the incredible work of the ten artists in this show - pinch me!

follow along with the gallery

Stay warm and sending love!!

-Catherine

Hellllllooo 2026!

I’ve missed you! Substack is such a happy place for me, and it’s been a long time coming since I was sitting on my computer, TV on in front of me, and this was the priority (and not the laundry list of work and life that seemed to suck all the oxygen for awhile)! The last six weeks have been a doozy. I opened a new business, my dream art gallery, during the busiest month of the year, threw I don’t remember how many events to celebrate, worked right up to Christmas, flew to Dallas to serve with my church’s annual conference, and then flew home to tear down the gallery, patch and paint for the new year. Whew!

After all of that, January has been the deep breath that I and the business needed. I feel so much of my personal life reflected in the gallery right now - still in progress yet creativity craving the new, relishing in a slower season yet pushing down that lingering sense of “am I doing what I need to be doing right now?” “am I making the most of this?”.

I opened Castle Gallery in the Hallmark towns of all Hallmark towns. Small businesses abound, as do the rolling stone walls and surrounding vineyards. Middleburg treats the holidays like the olympics, but it’s a bit of a ghost town in January. It’s a bizarre, although well known, reality and I can’t help but feel the discomfort in the quiet. However it’s the gentle breaths of the start of the year that force my feet on the ground, longer conversations in the shop, and excitement and anticipation to build.

That moment between recovery and expectation - that’s January!

In honor of the snow day (week?) - which incapsulates this sentiment perfectly - I rounded up some of the things I’m doing this month that are making me 1. Feel like myself again, and 2. Look forward and prepare intentionally with excitement.

My resting and building January list -

1. The Artist’s Way. I am thrilled to be going through this iconic study of creativity with of and Meet Migrate. Someone said to me recently, “The true Artist’s Way is not finishing The Artist’s Way” - ha! So we’re hoping the accountability of doing it with a group combats this! It’s not too late to jump in if you are interested in doing this with a group of incredible people.

2. Taking the time to feel like myself again. Getting back into my gym routine (which is really all about the sauna reward at the end) has felt grounding and I’ve been loving Sara Kathryn’s app for weight training and focused plans. Also having a little glow in the winter is akin to a personality transplant for me - a quick apply of this $10 lotion while you’re still in the shower is easy and super effective!

3. Needlepoint. I think I’ve successfully trained my algorithm towards exclusively needlepoint content and I’m me again. Picking up canvases that haven’t been touched in months is getting me off my computer/phone at night - which is the constant struggle for never feeling “done” with my work day. Currently eyeing these canvases for my next projects. Bag charms are the next project and we will be self finishing for the first time.

4. My preferred planner and desk calendar that are no-brainer joy bringers.

5. Building out the “studio” side of Castle Gallery! This is what I have been calling the retail/product arm of the gallery because I want it to feel like an artist studio - layered and colorful, full to the brim with art and product straight from the studio. I especially love this Four Leaf Clover Playing Card Print and Marble Gift Tags that are now in the shop and online.

I’d love to hear what you’re doing this January that is helping you feel more grounded and expectant for 2026. Remember - it’s all about gentle breaths!

Last week a vertical sign at 10 East Federal in Middleburg, Virginia was hung - and I am finally giving myself permission to write the words “I’m opening a gallery.” It’s wild to see a lifelong dream play out, mostly because amidst all of the pinch me moments (big for me has been the vinyls on the window - that makes it seem so real!) there are also many moments that feel mundane already - buying a measuring tape before finding two others and submitting zoning paperwork. It’s hard to have a 30,000ft view!

So, in as many ways that this post is a way of sharing the behind the scenes and the road to get to this place, and it is also a moment for me to reflect and soak in! Several years ago I called opening a gallery a pipe dream, and now I am standing on a doormat that I ordered for a gallery in a place I never expected.

Follow along on Instagram

The road to Middleburg

During this past spring, I had an initial pop-up for the gallery to test the waters. We found the perfect spot in Georgetown and after an all gas month, I knew it was time to find a permanent spot for Castle Gallery to land. Since I live in Old Town, Alexandria, a hub of small businesses in a walkable area, the obvious answer seemed to be at my doorstep. But after months and months of closed doors, I had a gut feeling that it was time to pivot.

In retrospect, this process has already been smoothed over in my memory. I wanted so badly for my vision to work out. But it became obvious that between the eye-watering rent averages and tiny spaces, Old Town was a closed door. I know I’m in good company with other small businesses that feel the pressure to make something work and no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t.

One night while visiting family on vacation, I let myself do the Zillow slide. You know when you are looking for a new place to live, and then just for fun slide into looking at what’s available in Nantucket? My search in Old Town moved to Middleburg, a place I have loved visiting for years as a native of northern Virginia.

For those unfamiliar with Middleburg, it is an incredibly charming town located about an hour from Washington, DC in the rolling hills of Virginian hunt country. Surrounded by picturesque wineries, Middleburg is a haven for small businesses and thrives as a resort town with guests from Goodstone Inn, the Salamander and Red Fox Inn.

Within a matter of days, I was scheduled for tours of two listings in Middleburg. When I saw 10 E Federal, previously the home of Middleburg Gourmet, I had a gut feeling. It took seeing beyond the yellow walls, the missing flooring, and the general need for a broom, but I was struck by the size of the space and the existing division that meant I could have two gallery rooms, storage space, AND an office.

After weeks of lease reviewing and negotiations (and the many times I thought it would all fall apart), we were signed with the keys in hand.

Castle Origins

A permanent space has come with a permanent name change - and I’ve had a lot of questions about where “castle” came from. The Google folder on my Drive has always been titled Castle Gallery and it’s been the plan all along! Castle was my grandmothers maiden name and reflects a legacy of storytelling and small business. Her family had an eponymous grocery story, one of the first small businesses in my family, and she herself was a champion of people and their stories.

It’s a crazy feeling to see her name on the windows of a gallery in Middleburg, and I am honored to have a nod to her impact on my family in this way.

Castle Gallery will open it’s doors for the first time on December 4th, and I cannot wait for it to just exist. Perfecting will come, as will a schedule of shows that brings artists I love to the DC region, but for now I’m relishing in the sound of the key turning in the knob, and the switching on of the lights. A blank slate to let a vision play out - what could be more exciting?

Come to our opening!

Holiday Pop-up: Caroline Jean Gray and Lydia Marie Elizabeth

To celebrate the holidays and the opening of the gallery, two artists that I love will be popping up in half of the gallery! Lydia and Caroline have become good friends over the years and, in addition to being beloved in Middleburg, they are incredibly talented artists who have also been long time collaborators.

Both artists will have original artwork for sale in addition to great giftable product for the season, and will be in the gallery to meet you all month!

We will also be featuring antiques from The Paradise Antiques in the galley all month - if you have yet to go, you simply have to add this antique paradise (truly!) to your list. It’s a place unlike any other and we’re so lucky to have their beautiful pieces in the shop.

Opening Weekend!

I would love to see you at our opening weekend if you are local to the area! Below are the details for Thursday - Saturday, but please join us all December long while the pop-up is in the gallery! We will be open all month, Wednesday - Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12-4pm.

Thursday, December 4 - Opening Day
We are opening early at 8am with @laselvacoffeeco ! Their coffee truck will be parked by the gallery until 3pm. We’ll be open until 5pm!

Friday, December 5 - Grand Opening VIP Party
Join us 10am-6pm to sip and shop! Enjoy a special toast and refreshments by @caymuscab from 4pm-6pm and the Middleburg Tree Lighting at 5:30pm.

Saturday, December 6 - Parade Day!
Open from 10am-5pm with a hot chocolate bar by @milkhoneyespressobar from 12pm-2pm! Refreshments by @caymuscab and shopping all day!

Sunday, December 7th - Après-Parade!
Stop by and say hi from 12pm-4pm

Come to our opening!

As summer is drawing to a close, I want to capture all of our idyllic Maine trip in one place so that I can hold onto it a bit longer! This was only my second trip to the state, and my first to Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island - so while I am absolutely no expert, we received so many recommendations from people who are! We had the most incredible time and it was all thanks to my mom’s impeccable planning and some much appreciated local knowledge.

We celebrated my 30th birthday over the trip, and it was also a perfectly timed August escape - the suffocating DC heat this time of year calls for an vacation north. As I look back I’m struck by the overwhelming beauty of the place itself, but mostly of the warmth and creativity of many people that we met - so many talented artists make their home in Maine and it’s pretty obvious why!

Trip Outline

We flew into Portland and then drove to Bar Harbor, which is about three hours north, on Thursday and left on a Monday. For a light hiking and more relaxing/shopping/sightseeing trip - this was the perfect amount of time, if not a little short. You absolutely need a car, and there’s as much to see on the way to Bar Harbor as there is once you’re there, so I would recommend giving yourself time to linger along the drive.

Staying in Bar Harbor was a dream for our first trip, and it was ideal to be walking distance to so much. A lot of the shops and restaurants in Bar Harbor cater to tourists (think tshirt and ice cream shops), so for our next trip I would consider staying elsewhere on the island - like Northeast Harbor. After having lunch at the Asticou Hotel, going back to stay is top of my list!

The Drive North: Portland, Freeport and Wiscasset

Our very first stop after touching down in Portland was The Willard Gallery. I have crushed on this gallery from afar for years, and knew that I wanted to make it a part of the trip. The Willard Gallery is an appointment only cottage gallery in the yard of the gallerist, Meredith. There are no words for how utopic this gallery feels set among Meredith’s garden and the interior is just as tranquil - you will love this gallery if you are a fan of soft compositions, depictions of sea and landscapes, and stunning representations of Maine.

I could’ve stayed all day chatting with Meredith, but she eventually sent me on my way with a sticky note full of recommendations as we headed north. After picking up sandwiches at Rosemont Bakery, we were on the road!

A trip to LL Bean is non-negotiable and we enjoyed walking around the huge campus. If you are interested in embroidering on the spot just make sure to leave a few hours of processing time before you pick-up your tote (they also ship!).

Only about 30-40 minutes north of Freeport is Wiscasset, a charming, quintessential Maine town. I’ve had my eye on the recently opened Widener Company - and boy was it worth a stop! Impeccably curated, this shop is a feast for the eyes. The owner, Alexander, is incredibly kind and knowledgable and has done a masterful job stocking quilts, topiaries, antiques, and baskets galore! (If you are from DC, this shop reminded me a lot of Manse!) Alexander is a great example of someone who has an obvious natural eye - and it was inspiring to be in his carefully crafted space.

Next time, I’d also love to stop in Rockland and Camden along the way!

Mount Desert Island / Bar Harbor

Where we stayed

We stayed at the Balance Rock Inn, named aptly for the balancing rock located in front of the hotel on the shore path. We loved staying right in town, and walked the path every day. The rooms were thoughtful and eclectic, and we swam in the pool everyday after exploring. You cannot beat the view off of the back of the hotel, and we often found that the best place to enjoy the scenery was right where we were!

We celebrated my 30th birthday at the hotel and had a wonderful meal, which I would definitely recommend for anyone not staying there!

Where we shopped

Rusticator (Instagram): A great stop on the way to Northeast Harbor (but please go out of your way to see this shop!), Rusticator an incredibly chic home shop by the interior design firm, Keeler & Co. I loved every inch of this shop and especially swooned over seeing Powell Art Advisory’s curation of the art in the space.

The Salt Market (Northeast Harbor): Chic merch, great coffee, truly mouth watering provisions - The Salt Market has it all! A great stop for coffee while you browse the shops in NE Harbor.

The Kimball Shop (Northeast Harbor): China, china, china galore! This shop has all of the home decor and tabletop necessities you could ever think of.

Artemis Gallery (Northeast Harbor): A must-do for any art lover visiting Mount Desert Island. Focusing specifically on Maine artists, this gallery is overflowing with stunning art on every wall and around every corner.

In the Woods (Bar Harbor): Amidst all of the tshirt shops in Bar Harbor is In the Woods, a Maine-base wood shop featuring all sorts of handmade treasures. Perfect spot for a meaningful souvenir or gift!

Where we ate

Mount Desert Bakery (Bar Harbor): A daily stop for coffee/matcha in Bar Harbor - must try their daily, freshly baked good!

Asticou Inn (Northeast Harbor): The newly renovated Asticou Inn came highly recommended and we ventured there for lunch on their patio. Not only are the views stunning, but the design is incredibly inspiring - all of the layers, patterns, textures, and art you could dream of. Highly recommend!

Havana (Bar Harbor): My favorite meal of the trip! This James Beard award-winning restaurant is such an incredible vibe - live music, delish food, and fantastic service - and is an institution in the area, 17 years running. The best mussels of my life!

Geddy’s (Bar Harbor): A very low-key, dive-y restaurant right in the middle of town. Great place for those blueberry margs and lobster-“fill in the blank”. Kid friendly and casual!

Balance Rock Inn (Bar Harbor): Our hotel had a great restaurant and I would definitely recommend it for drinks on the patio and then a fancier dinner! There’s also a piano bar that makes for a great end to the evening.

Bar Harbor Inn Terrace Grill (Bar Harbor): We had lunch here after a boat tour and all ordered the lobster roll - highly recommend! Can’t beat the view and central location, and all agreed the food was great/perfect for lunch.

Jordan Pond House (Acadia): The iconic pop-overs! Blueberry everything! The best part of this restaurant is absolutely the location - set in Acadia, Jordan Pond House is the perfect place to eat before or after exploring the park. I would recommend making a reservation in advance!

Colonel’s Bakery (Northeast Harbor): One word - donuts!

What we did

Thuya Gardens (Northeast Harbor): A garden located on the grounds of Thuya Lodge, built in 1912 for Boston landscape architect Joseph Henry Curtis. The trellised hike to the garden was easy and picturesque, but you can park at the top as well.

Windjammer ship tour (Bar Harbor): A fun way to see Bar Harbor from the water! We did the morning cruise, but you could also do a sunset tour which would be a great way to end the day! We did the Windjammer, and learned a lot along the way.

Sand Beach: While Maine is not known for it’s traditional beaches, I would highly recommend Sand Beach if you are looking for a great sandy (duh) beach with swimmable water. The water was frigid so it depends how you define swimmable, but I couldn’t help jumping in on my 30th!

Acadia Park Loop: We did not hike on this trip, so doing the Acadia loop was ideal for getting iconic views from the car. There are lots of places to pull over to take pictures and take it all in!

Recommendations We Didn’t Get To!

These are a few recommendations that we received but didn’t have time for! Saving them for a future trip.

Rockland

Camden

Azalea Gardens

Southwest Harbor:

• Bib’s Burritos

• Lunch/drinks/dinner at The Clairmont Hotel

• Peter Trouts

That’s all for now! I hope this is helpful as you plan your trips and let me know what we missed so I can add it to my list for the future - truly can’t get back quick enough!

I was shopping with my mom in Georgetown recently and between Ann Mashburn, Farm Rio, and Staud, I was surprised to see how often the bandana or bandana-inspired pattern reoccurred. Imbued with so much history, I love that the bandana can feel fresh in many ways - especially in the summer to fall transition. In reflection of western inspired styles having a big moment in general, it’s a fun way to modernize a classic with color.

What began as a utilitarian handkerchief for laborers created with Turkish dye and inspired by Kashmir paisley or for carrying maps and messages during the American Revolution, has now become an iconic trope so ingrained in our culture that it’s synonymous with americana. Like so many parts of our history, the bandana represents an amalgamation of cultures and histories, and holds evergreen even with changing styles and trends.

From the highest level of fashion (the headscarf bandana was big this summer) to Target and Aerie, I think this is the perfect pattern to layer and bring into fall (thinking mostly navy, reds and browns!). I immediately fell in love with this Sandro bag, and the bandana-everything of Madame Pauline. Damson Madder’s wearable bright blue bandana collection includes a bandana, mini dress, and scrunchie - they can do no wrong in my book. I’m excited to try this pattern in unexpected ways this fall, starting with a much needed gym bag upgrade!

In the Arts:

Stitched in the City

I recently came across these under $100 embroidered bandanas that look great framed - such an easy way to bring texture to your walls. I believe this is a new business, so it’ll be fun to follow along with them!

Lindsey Meyer

To finish it out, all this talk about bandanas has put me in the mood for some cowboy art. I love the work of Lindsey Meyer and her print collection is extensive - perfect for those looking to add a bit of yeehaw to their space in a playful way.

Left to Right: Gaucho III, Lime Cowboy, Three Amigos

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

As one of my best friends said recently - friends are the best influencers. Most of my recent buys have started this way, and I always love to see what people are buying and actually keeping!

1. Monday Swimwear Chartreuse Suit - This suit got a LOT of wear during my recent Maine trip and I’m a Monday Swim convert. So flattering and comfortable, and I love this bright green color that makes me look a bit more tan than I actually am!

2. Day to Drinks Blue Dress - One of those dresses I immediately put on when I opened the package - GOOD for those steamy summer days and I’m excited to style for early fall. I’ve returned everything I’ve bought from Dissh in the past, but this was a keeper.

3. Thorne Creatine - I recently bought this on Amazon after so many people told me I need to take this before/after the gym, and Amazon flagged that it’s been ordered 8 times before. Turns out my very fit and nutrient-conscious mom loves this brand of creatine - which is all the convincing I needed.

4. Jergens In Shower Tan Extender and Rare Beauty Niacinamide Lotion - The sun has been drying me out more than usual this year, and I love the consistency of Rare Beauty’s lotion - my friends and I agree that it smells “grown-up” in a great way. Take that as you will. To extend my tan, I apply this Jergens lotion in the shower and love the results - can’t get better for $11.

5. The perfect summer and fall fragrances - I have been wearing 7 Virtues for the past year and adore their warm scents. Coconut Sun has been my summer go-to, while Cherry Ambition is perfect for fall - sweet and spicy.

And that’s all for today! Working on a compilation of everything we did in Maine and it’s a good one - keep an eye out for that this week!

-Catherine

I’ve picked up some tips and tricks for organizing art studios over the year (maybe I need to consolidate them into a guide? Would that be helpful?), and there’s one in particular that is gold. If you sell art prints or works on paper that are relatively small or you need to keep materials sorted, this is for you.

Enter: the KALLAX unit by IKEA. Undoubtedly you’ve seen these from dorm rooms to play rooms. This 4 x 4 unit is $139 - which is hard to beat.

The real magic of the KALLAX is not the shelving, but the inserts. With one simple insert - you can make flat shelves (which can be labeled, think art prints), drawers for supplies, or dividers so branding materials stay organized.

I can’t believe how well these have done the job in the past and I think they’re such a clever solution to maximize space and your budget. You can easily make them look a bit more chic with woven baskets and the natural wood colorway.

If you use these, let me know!! I’d love to see photos of your studio!

The Eternal Studio Question - Where?

I have talked to hundreds of artists about their studios (yes 100s), and one thing remains the same - they are each unique in their own way. I feel strongly that what works for one person, may not work for another. I have worked with artists that feel like they should have a studio independent from their home but they: 1) Have school aged (or little little) kids and their schedule is unpredictable, 2) Have a great space in their home for their studio, 3) Like to create in odd hours - like early in the morning or late at night. They are MUCH happy in their home studio.

Similarly, I have worked with artists that need 1) the separation of space, 2) work at a scale too large for their home, and 3) want to have a public space for studio visits or retail. The independent studio is perfect for them.

As you consider your options, know that your season of life will change. What works at one point, may not be forever. And that’s okay. Lean into what you need, and if you ever want to chat about studio design and organization - reach out! I LOVE working on studio spaces so that they work for YOU.

(If you’re in the DMV and looking for studio space - let me know! I get passed opportunities frequently and would love to be matchmaker.)

To Close - A Ready Made Home Studio

Have you heard of Hillbrook Collection? These are new to me and I only HOPE to have a reason to use them one day. These chic pool houses, studios, or garden houses are ready made to order and would be perfect as an art studio. Bunny Williams is calling, folks.