Hello my artist family!

It’s Jen here, and I’m so happy to introduce you to a wonderful artist from our community — Ellen Gerst, joining us from beautiful Paradise Valley, Arizona. Ellen’s story is one of those that gently grabs your heart and reminds you just how powerful creativity can be, especially when life nudges us to find new ways to heal and express ourselves.

Ellen is a grief and relationship coach and the author of 30 self-help books (yes… thirty — I had to pause and blink twice). But when the pandemic shifted the rhythm of everyday life, she found herself craving a new creative outlet. Instead of painting pictures with words, she began painting with color — using art to express feelings and soothe her soul in a whole new way.

Art wasn’t entirely new territory for Ellen. Over the years, she had dabbled in different mediums, including running a custom card company many years ago. Then one day, she stumbled across yours truly on Facebook. She started with holiday tutorials, moved on to cards, then the First Five, and eventually joined the club. Today, Ellen is developing a beautiful, evolving style using a mix of brushes and palette knives while building a portfolio she hopes to exhibit in 2026. And let me just say, I love an artist with a vision and a timeline.

When it comes to inspiration, Ellen draws from a rich mix of sources. Nature plays a big role, as do heartfelt emotions — both sadness and joy. One of my favorite inspirations she shared is creating art that delights her grandchildren and reflects what they’re excited about right now. That kind of love and intention always shows up on the canvas.

Here’s the painting Ellen chose to share with us:

This piece captures exactly what Ellen described — a quiet moment of solitude and a gentle break from the constant noise of the world. When I look at it, I can almost feel everything slow down. It’s calm, reflective, and deeply grounding — the kind of painting that invites you to breathe a little deeper.

Ellen shared that what she loves most about DabblePaints is their thick, creamy texture and how easily they glide across canvas or paper. She also appreciates their affordability and the thoughtfully curated color lineup. While other brands may tempt artists with endless exotic shades, Ellen loves knowing she has everything she needs to blend, mix, and create without overwhelm. I couldn’t agree more.

When it comes to what she enjoys most about painting, Ellen said it best: painting allows her to set aside the concerns of the day and become fully immersed in the act of creation. This particular piece represents a peaceful refuge — and she shared that painting itself offers her that same sense of quiet and restoration.

Her advice for artists just starting out is honest, practical, and incredibly freeing. Don’t get discouraged if you’re not happy with your early results. Ellen has painted over some canvases three or four times, and she reminds us that this is one of the great gifts of acrylics — if you don’t like something, you can simply paint over it. She also suggests taking photos throughout the painting process so you can learn from each stage. Sometimes the magic is in noticing where things started to shift, so the next painting can be even better.

Ellen, thank you for sharing your story, your art, and your heart with us. Your journey is a beautiful reminder that creativity can meet us exactly where we are and gently guide us forward. I know so many artists in this community will feel encouraged by your words and inspired by your work.

Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.

XO,
Jen