Hello my artist family!
It’s Jen here, and I am so excited to introduce you to a wonderful artist from our community, Vicki Lyman from Antioch. Her story is one of curiosity, courage, and saying yes to creativity at exactly the right moment—and I know you’re going to feel inspired reading it.
Vicki’s artistic journey began in a way that instantly made me smile. Back in 2019, she started painting rocks with her girlfriends—paint a rock, hide the rock, and see how far it travels. Honestly, how fun is that? Art mixed with a little adventure. That playful beginning led her into a rock-painting Facebook group, and the creative spark was officially lit.
Fast forward to June 2022: Vicki retired after 35 years in county and state government and knew she needed something to keep her mind engaged. She’s always had a creative mind, but turning those ideas into something tangible felt like the tricky part. Then, in April 2023, an ad for Let’s Dabble popped up on Facebook… and just like that, she was hooked. Proof that sometimes the right message shows up at exactly the right time.
When it comes to inspiration, Vicki’s heart belongs to nature. She grew up in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area and has been an outdoor girl her entire life. The mountains, lakes, and ocean speak to her, and she’s drawn to capturing their beauty and color on canvas. And truly, you can feel that love for the outdoors woven into her work.
The painting Vicki shared was created as part of the Mendocino Open Paint Out, held in beautiful Mendocino. She challenged herself to enter so she could learn from other amazing artists and push herself creatively—and I absolutely love that brave, growth-focused mindset.
There’s something really special about stepping outside your comfort zone like that. You can almost feel the coastal air and shifting light in a Mendocino scene, and choosing to paint in that environment is such a powerful way to grow as an artist. Painting alongside other artists in a setting like that is equal parts inspiring and humbling—in the very best way.
When I asked Vicki what she loves about DabblePaints, her answer made me grin. She shared, “DabblePaints are amazing! I started in the Dabble community prior to Jen developing the paints… then WOW. The paints are creamy, beautifully pigmented and easy to apply.”
She even admitted that while she’s taking an in-person art class to learn the basics, she’s saving her DabblePaints just for her Let’s Dabble paintings. And listen, that might be the highest compliment ever. I’m honored.
What Vicki enjoys most about painting is the challenge and growth that come with it—and that really shines through in her Mendocino piece. Entering the paint-out wasn’t about perfection; it was about learning, stretching, and soaking up inspiration from fellow artists. That mindset right there is where confidence and joy are built.
Her advice for anyone just starting to paint is absolute gold:
“Don’t compare your paintings to others. You have your own unique style and interpretation of all that surrounds you. Paint for the joy of painting. Baby wipes are our friends.”
I mean… truer words have never been spoken. Every artist needs that reminder.
Vicki, thank you for sharing your journey, your courage, and your creative heart with us. Your story is such a beautiful reminder that it’s never about where you start—it’s about saying yes to joy, growth, and creativity when it calls.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.
XO,
Jen