It’s that time of year where holiday shopping is in full swing! For many of us, these are the last few weeks that you can find those special gifts for everyone on your gift-giving list. As we head into the biggest sale weekend of the year, the Ashley Laren Art shop is having a rare-sale of its own. From Friday, November 29th to the end of the day Monday, December 2nd get 20% off art and art merchandise (excluding custom items and commissions) by using code SHOPSMALL20 at checkout. Now, let’s get into the shopping guide you need for this Small Business Saturday and the whole shopping season.

Looking for a unique, heartfelt gift or a beautiful way to celebrate family members in your home? Flower portraits—personalized artworks featuring birth month flowers—make stunning and meaningful keepsakes that are as beautiful as they are symbolic. Each flower portrait is crafted with meticulous detail, showcasing the flowers of each birth month and capturing the essence of your loved ones. Whether you want to honor family, friends, or commemorate someone special, a custom flower portrait transforms this thoughtful gesture into a work of art.

Are you looking to unlock your creative potential or give your child a fantastic outlet for their imagination? Private art lessons could be the perfect answer! Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, personalized art instruction offers numerous benefits that can make your artistic journey both enjoyable and fulfilling.

As the artist-in-residence, I was provided with a cozy room to stay in during my visit. The staff at the Lodge were very sociable and welcoming which gave to the enjoyable experience. I really got to craft how I wanted to spend my time creating art and spent most of my time in the lobby — which largely inspired the painting I created, but more on that later — and I also sat and drew by the creek in the mornings. It was nice to have open possibilities of what I created as sometimes I get too much in my head when I am in my day-to-day of creating. This allowed me to really think outside the box in aspects and I am excited to share with you how this inspired me to go beyond my usual limits.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of abstract expressionism? Look no further than my upcoming Abstract Art Workshop - Channeling Emotions, led by artist Ashley Laren. Taking place on Tuesday, May 28th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Mystical Thoughts Shop in Springfield, MO, this workshop will be a transformative journey into the realm of abstract art and emotions.

As Mother's Day approaches, finding the perfect gift to express your love and appreciation for Mom can feel like a daunting task. But fear not! I've curated a selection of heartfelt gifts that are sure to make her smile on her special day. From art prints that capture the beauty of nature to unique stationery items that inspire creativity, this list is curated to different types of moms and their interests. Take a look and find the perfect gift to show Mom just how much she means to you.

In a world that constantly beckons for innovation and creativity, mundane tasks like bookmarking your favorite page in a book or planner often receive a delightful makeover. Enter the realm of magnetic bookmarks, where functionality meets artistic expression. Today, I am thrilled to unveil a new addition to my shop – a magnetic bookmark collection adorned with my abstract artwork.

Jumping into the craft fair game as an art vendor is a crazy and exciting experience. I made the decision to start selling my artwork and painted products at craft markets because I wanted the opportunity to interact with my customers face-to-face and make new connections. It can feel more personal when you can have those in-person interactions instead of their impersonal experience of shopping online (which I still love, but for other reasons). I know some of you are also starting your craft fair journey, so today I wanted to share with you 5 things I have learned from vending in my first few months of participating in craft markets.

I recently finished a painting commission for a client who shared with me one of her most beloved travel experiences. I am an adventurer at heart and love when I get a chance to travel. My passion for travel is a cornerstone of my business and the art that I create. The world around us is too beautiful to ignore. This art practice is not intrinsic on solely my own travels, but is greatly influenced by your experiences during your travels and the amazing places you have seen.

If you are like me and are guilty of dropping the ball when it comes to some of the smaller holidays, do not fret. I am wanting to help make the process a little easier this year for you. Not only is this a friendly reminder to purchase your Mother’s Day gifts before it’s too late, but I am also presenting you with a little shopping guide to make the hunt that much simpler.

The hand painted clay earrings in this collection make for a fun and playful addition to any outfit. The collection is characterized by vibrant Spring colors that will make you want to go outside and smell the daisies. Each pair is hand crafted with a soft and lightweight polymer clay and are hand painted with acrylic paint before being coated with a gloss to give them the perfect shine.

A lighthouse out in the distance, that we now know to be the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Lighthouse, was accessible only by a narrow pathway. I say it was peculiar because the pathway was divided by both residential private property and federal land designated to the National Guard. Walking out toward the lighthouse, we were accompanied by the soft sound of waves crashing along the beach and the view of the colorful clouds cast above the tree line. That is where I took the photo that inspired the painting “Cotton Candy Sunset over Sturgeon Bay”.

All of these earrings in the collection are made of polymer clay, are very lightweight, and are held together with gold hardware. Each earring is painted with acrylic paint and glossed over with a clay binding gloss. They make the perfect little statement accessory to dress up any outfit.

My travels have been an inspiration toward my creativity so much because of the uniqueness of the American landscapes I have visited. Our country is so vast and the terrain changes on a dime as you are driving through it. It’s the childlike wonder that comes upon me when I drive from grasslands and prairies into the mountains or desert.

When you travel, there are two kinds of souvenirs: trinkets that clutter your house, and real, lifelong treasures. These real treasures are in-the-moment photos—photos that remind you to be thankful for every opportunity you’ve been given on your journey. While photos are some of the finest treasures that can come out of your travels, besides your memories, these days, we take so many photos they can get lost in translation. That's why taking that extra step is so important. Finding the best photo from your travels and allowing me to do the hard work of painting a beautiful and unique artwork will present you the best souvenir you could ever ask for.

This collection of colorful statement earrings includes both dangle earrings and studs. There is a range of colors to fit any type of look from the purples and greens seen in the Mulberry Earrings to the the warm pink hues of the Rosy Earrings. The polymer clay is coated in a finishing gloss to give it both a stunning sheen, but also preserve the painted details.

With this collection, it makes me happy to be able to bring people the joy of memories they’ve gathered from traveling some of the beautiful National Parks the United States has to offer. Most of these ornaments focus on the most popular National Parks, like Yellowstone and Joshua Tree, but a few of them are just favorites that I couldn’t get myself to exclude from the collection like Arches National Park.