Hello my artist family!

Ohhh, I just love the story I get to share with you today. It’s one of those journeys that winds and weaves through life, creativity, and rediscovery, and I have a feeling so many of you are going to see a little piece of yourselves in it.

Today, I’m so excited to introduce you to Teresa Bruemmer, joining us from beautiful Anacortes, Washington. And let me tell you… her story is proof that art never really leaves you, it just waits patiently for you to come back.

Teresa started drawing as a child and dove into art classes all through high school. But like so many artists, she was given that all-too-common advice, not to pursue art as a career so she wouldn’t “ruin” her love for it.

(And can we just pause for a second and collectively sigh at that advice? Because wow… imagine telling creativity to sit quietly in the corner. Not happening.)

Even though she didn’t follow art as a career, Teresa never stopped creating. She explored stained glass, basket weaving, macramé, sewing, mural painting, furniture painting—you name it.

But deep down, nothing quite compared to painting on canvas.

And then came one of my favorite parts of her story…

On her honeymoon five years ago (yes, honeymoon!), Teresa came across me on Facebook, joined Let’s Dabble, and by the time she got home, her supplies were already waiting.

I mean… talk about a souvenir. Forget postcards, she brought home a whole new creative chapter.

And just like that, she found her happy place again.

When Teresa talks about what inspires her, you can feel how alive her creativity is.

She shared that even on a simple hike, she’s taking photos of beautifully lit trees, moss, and ferns—and hearing my voice walking her through how to paint it, which made me smile so big.

It’s that moment when something clicks and suddenly you’re seeing the world like an artist—colors, light, texture, all breaking down into possibilities.

Clouds, boats, trees… everything becomes something to study, something to translate, something to create. And honestly, once you start seeing the world that way, there’s no going back.

Teresa chose to share a piece called “Up Through the Forest,” and the perspective in this one is so special.

It pulls your eyes straight upward, just like you’re standing at the base of those towering trees. And knowing that she’s surrounded by Douglas firs reaching 110–200 feet tall makes it even more powerful, you can feel that sense of awe right in the painting.

It’s immersive, it’s peaceful, and it’s one of those pieces that makes you pause and breathe a little deeper.

(Also… I may or may not have tilted my head back while imagining it. You know I can’t resist a good “look-up-into-the-trees” moment.)

Teresa didn’t hold back here, and I’m not mad about it one bit.

She said:

“I can absolutely say with great confidence that Dabble Paints are the best. They are rich in color, thick and creamy, and the lids are so easy to open!”

And honestly… the easy-to-open lids getting a shoutout made me smile, because yes—sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in your creative flow.

When Teresa describes what painting means to her, it’s just beautiful:

“Painting touches my soul. It’s where I go to get lost in finding new ways to express myself and create something beautiful.”

That right there is the heart of it all.

And when she pairs that soulful connection with a unique perspective, like in Up Through the Forest, you can feel that it’s not just about what she’s painting, but how she experiences the world.

Teresa shared advice that I absolutely love, and I think every artist, no matter where they are, needs to hear this:

“Just do it, and keep doing it. Let yourself have fun. Give yourself grace. The palette knife has a mind of its own, so let it lead you. And as a practical word of advice, don’t be stingy with your paint. Load up that knife and lay it thick.”

Okay… can we just frame that last part and hang it in every studio everywhere?

“Don’t be stingy with your paint” might be one of my all-time favorite pieces of advice. Because yes—load it up, go bold, and let that palette knife do its thing.

Teresa, thank you for sharing your journey, your honesty, and your beautiful perspective with all of us. Your story is such a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to come back to what lights you up, and that creativity will always be there, waiting.

And to my artist family, if you’ve ever stepped away from art or questioned your path, let Teresa’s story be your nudge back in. Your happy place is still there, too.

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

XO,
Jen