Hello my artist family!

I am so excited for you to meet today’s featured artist, Mari-Ann Keyser from Flower Mound, Texas. Her story is such a beautiful reminder that creativity never really leaves us — it just waits patiently until we’re ready to come back to it.

Mari-Ann enjoyed art in high school (many moons ago, as she says), but life got busy. And isn’t that how it so often goes? Responsibilities pile up, schedules fill in, and before we know it, the sketchbooks get tucked away. But in 2017, she made a powerful decision: she chose to reconnect with what had always brought her joy — being creative.

I absolutely love that.

She began again with drawing and immersed herself in colored pencil work, drawn to the realism, the intricate detail, and the vibrant color possibilities. If you’ve ever worked in colored pencil, you know that kind of realism takes patience and dedication — layer after layer of careful intention. Always eager to learn, she began experimenting with Pan Pastels alongside colored pencil, expanding her creative voice even further.

Then came an incredible opportunity — she was asked to teach classes on an Alaskan Cruise when the scheduled instructor had to cancel. Can you imagine? One moment you’re growing your skills, the next you’re teaching art while sailing past glaciers. That is what happens when preparation meets courage. She discovered she truly loved teaching, and that passion shines through her story.

Pastels gave her speed and freedom compared to colored pencil, but she was still searching for more. She transitioned into oil painting, drawn to the bold, expressive nature of palette knife work. The only problem? Waiting for layers to dry. I think we’ve all had that moment of staring at a canvas willing it to cooperate.

That’s when acrylic painting became her game changer. The versatility, the mediums, the endless creative supplies — she was hooked. And then she saw an ad featuring palette knife painting. Everything clicked. She found her way into our artist family and joined the Let’s Dabble Club, diving into each monthly painting with excitement.

Hearing her say that because of this journey she now feels she can paint anything — that is exactly why I do what I do. Confidence in your creativity changes everything.

When I asked what inspires her most, her answer was immediate: nature. She loves the great outdoors and has a special passion for animals — especially cats, both wild and domestic. Knowing she was born in South Africa makes that deep love of wildlife and diversity feel even more meaningful. Some landscapes imprint themselves on your soul.

Here is the lion she chose to share:

This lion is strength and confidence captured in texture. You can almost feel the movement in the mane. And knowing Mari-Ann is “obsessed with cats” makes this piece feel even more personal. She didn’t just paint an animal — she painted presence. There’s something so powerful about translating admiration into bold, layered strokes.

She also shared that one of her favorite photos is of herself in her studio finishing one of our paintings. I love that image — an artist fully immersed, knife in hand, in the flow of creation. That freedom is what she says she enjoys most about painting: the freedom of creativity. Showing up and letting the process unfold.

When I asked what she loves about Dabble Paints, she said they are thick, creamy, and very affordable. That makes me smile every single time I hear it. Professional quality should feel accessible, and that buttery texture is there so you can build dimension without fighting your paint.

And her advice for anyone just starting to paint?

“Be a fearless painter! It is just paint!”

That is wisdom worth holding onto. It’s just paint. It can be scraped, layered, transformed. Fear doesn’t belong in the studio. Exploration does.

Mari-Ann, thank you for sharing your journey — from rediscovering art after many years, to teaching on a cruise ship, to boldly painting lions with confidence and heart. You are such a beautiful example of what happens when we choose to return to what brings us joy.

Artist family, let her story remind you that it is never too late to begin again. Your creativity is waiting for you.

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

XO,
Jen