Hello my artist family!
It’s Jen here, and today I get the absolute joy of introducing you to Barb Dieterle from Loveland, Colorado—an artist whose story is such a beautiful reminder that creativity keeps evolving right along with us. And honestly, I just love how her journey unfolds.
Barb’s path with art began nearly three decades ago with toll painting classes. Twenty-eight years ago she was learning brush strokes, highlights, and shading—those foundational skills that quietly build confidence over time. Toll painting gave her a strong base, but like so many artists, Barb felt that familiar nudge that whispers, “What else is possible?”
That curiosity led her to explore new styles, and before long she found herself completely drawn to textured painting while scrolling Pinterest. (Let’s be honest—Pinterest has a very persuasive way of doing that. One minute you’re pinning color palettes, the next minute you’re rethinking your entire creative life.) That exploration eventually led her to Let’s Dabble, and the rest is texture-filled history.
When it comes to inspiration, Barb is fueled by her love of creating itself. She’s always enjoyed making things and giving homemade gifts, and color plays a huge role in what lights her up. Pinterest became her visual playground—she pinned everything she loved, and those pins slowly turned into creative direction. I always say inspiration leaves breadcrumbs, and Barb followed them beautifully.
Now let’s talk paint for a moment. When I asked Barb what she loves about DabblePaints, her answer made me smile from ear to ear:
“Jen and Matt really nailed it with their beautiful smooth and creamy paints. Let’s Dabble paints work perfectly for palette knife painting.”
Music to my artist heart, because palette knife painting should feel smooth, joyful, and forgiving—not like you’re wrestling your supplies.
What Barb enjoys most about painting is something so simple and so powerful: the transformation. She loves starting with a blank white canvas and ending with something she made. That moment of stepping back, seeing the finished piece, and realizing, “I created this,” fills her with happiness and pride. And truly, that feeling never gets old.
Here’s the piece Barb chose to share—a painting that represents that exact moment of joy and accomplishment:
If you’ve ever stood in front of your own finished painting and felt that quiet little yes in your chest, then you know exactly what Barb is talking about. That’s the magic.
When asked what advice she’d give someone just starting to paint, Barb kept it refreshingly real:
“Just start! It’s tempting to procrastinate. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll realize how fun it is to paint and create. It makes your heart happy!”
Isn’t that the truth? Starting is the hardest part—and also the doorway to all the joy waiting on the other side.
Barb, thank you for sharing your story and your heart with us. Your journey is such a beautiful reminder that it’s never about how you start—it’s about staying curious, staying creative, and letting yourself grow. You are an inspiration to this artist family.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world. 💖
XO,
Jen