Hello my artist family!
Today I have the absolute privilege of introducing you to an incredible artist from Anthem, Arizona—Denise Myers. Denise's journey reminds me that art has an amazing way of finding us exactly when we need it most, and I know her story is going to touch your heart as much as it touched mine.
Believe it or not, Denise says she couldn't even draw a stick figure before she started painting with me! She always considered herself a singer, not an artist. I have to smile every time I hear stories like this because they remind us that it's never too late to discover a gift you didn't know was waiting for you.
About 15 years ago, while visiting a gallery in Sedona, Denise came across my landscape paintings. She was so moved by them that she wrote my name on a piece of paper and tucked it away in her nightstand drawer, thinking, "Someday, I would love to create something that makes people feel the way her art made me feel."
Can we just take a moment to appreciate that? Fifteen years! Sometimes God has the most incredible timing.
Then, in 2021, Denise found that same piece of paper in the very drawer where she had left it all those years before. She looked me up and discovered I was teaching painting classes. What seemed like a simple rediscovery became part of a much deeper journey.
After the heartbreaking loss of her son, Matt, painting became so much more than learning a new skill. It became a place to grieve, to heal, to remember, and to reconnect with the beautiful places they had loved together. Through every palette knife stroke, Denise found a way to express hope, love, and grace while honoring Matt's memory.
Today, through her business, Brushes of Grace, Denise creates richly textured acrylic landscapes that invite others to find peace, connection, and beauty—even in life's most difficult seasons.
For Denise, every painting is connected to her healing journey. The ocean, the mountains, the desert skies, and the landscapes that she and Matt loved together continue to inspire her creativity. You can feel that love woven into every layer of paint.
Here are a few of the beautiful pieces Denise chose to share.
When I saw these paintings, I could instantly feel the warmth of Arizona and the memories they hold. They almost make you want to grab a pair of golf clubs—or at the very least, find a comfy chair outside and soak up one of those gorgeous desert sunsets. That's the beauty of Denise's work—it doesn't just capture a place; it captures a feeling.
When I asked Denise what she loves most about DabblePaints™, she said:
"The incredible vibrant color & texture is amazing. A bonus is the lids come off EASY!"
I had to laugh when I read that because she's right! Beautiful paint is wonderful, but paint that doesn't require a wrestling match to open is something every artist can appreciate.
Denise shared that the two paintings she submitted are especially meaningful because they represent one of her family's favorite places—Anthem, Arizona, where Matt especially loved spending time golfing with their family.
These paintings are filled with treasured memories, but they also mark another exciting milestone. They were the very first paintings Denise ever sold. What an incredible reminder that something created from the heart has the power to touch someone else's heart, too.
When I asked Denise what advice she'd give someone who's just beginning, she didn't hesitate:
"Pick up the palette knife and let it make magic. I watched lessons with Jen for 10 months BEFORE I decided to start, and I think, 'How much further would I be today if I could take those 10 months back and just start!'"
I absolutely love that advice because it's so true. We can spend so much time waiting until we feel "ready," but the real magic begins the moment we simply start. Every artist begins with that very first palette knife stroke.
Denise, thank you for sharing your beautiful story, your incredible artwork, and your heart with all of us. Your courage, your faith, and your willingness to create beauty through healing are inspiring more people than you probably realize. I know our artist family will see your work and be reminded that art has an incredible way of bringing light, hope, and connection into our lives.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.
XO,
Jen
