Tag: #alightinthedark

Behind the Painting: Aquatic at the Flying Squirrel Coffee Shop

“Aquatic”, 30×40 Inch Abstract Painting by Award Winning Artist, Misty Blue of Misty Blue Arts

Playful splashes of blue and green, Aquatic is one of the pieces now hanging in my third-ever solo art show, at the Flying Squirrel Coffee Shop in Crowley, Texas. The exhibition, presented through the Mansfield Tournique Art Collective, runs now through November 8th.

For me, each solo show is more than just an opportunity to share my art, it’s a celebration of how far I’ve come. Growing up, I never imagined I’d see my work displayed for others to enjoy. Art has been my lifeline, helping me heal and cope through some of life’s hardest moments, from the loss of my mother to having thyroid cancer, and growing up in an abusive home. My colorful, whimsical paintings, that often feature playful animals, are a reflection of my desire to brighten the world, both for myself and for others.

Aquatic holds a special place in this collection. Its serene yet vibrant feel reminds me of the beauty and peace that can still be found, even in turbulent waters. That theme flows throughout the show: hope, resilience, and finding light in unexpected places.

The Flying Squirrel Coffee Shop offers the perfect backdrop, a warm, inviting space where art and community meet. Whether you stop in for coffee, conversation, or simply to take in the art, I hope my paintings bring a little joy to your day.

This exhibition is a reminder that healing can be colorful, and that art has the power to connect us in ways words sometimes can’t. I’m grateful to the Tournique Art Collective for believing in my work and to everyone who takes the time to see it in person.

– Misty Blue Arts

To Learn More About My Work, Read My Bio Or Shop My Art, Visit My Link Tree.

Artist, Misty Blue of Misty Blue Arts. Here Misty is holding a paintbrush and wearing her favorite jean jacket, her mother’s beaded turquoise necklace, and pins she created (that are also available in her shops).

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A Dream On The Edge

If you’ve ever seen Thelma & Louise, you know the iconic ending where they drive off a cliff together, holding hands, choosing freedom over fear. Lately, that scene feels a bit like my journey as an artist.

I’ve worked hard for several years, posting videos, hitting subscriber goals, chasing the dream of becoming a paid YouTuber to support myself and my family. But despite all that effort, the “paid” part still feels like a wall I can’t quite break through.

Some days, it’s like I’m in the passenger seat while my dream’s at the wheel, speeding straight toward that wall or maybe even a cliff, with this wild mix of hope, excitement, determination, and sheer terror.

I keep wondering: will we crash? Will we fly? Or will we somehow break through and finally make it to the other side?

And you know what? I’m still here, laughing and crying and making videos, even if I’m not quite “landing” the way I hoped.

Time Machine Tuesday is my way of holding on tight and enjoying the ride, looking back at my journey with a wink and a smile, knowing that even if the dream doesn’t turn out exactly like I planned, the ride itself is worth it.

So here’s to the cliff, the leap, the risk and the hope, and the wild, messy, beautiful adventure of chasing dreams that don’t always come easy. (Just like what happened in my latest YouTube video.)

And hey, if you want to join me for the next episode, buckle up, it’s going to be a fun one.

✨ To learn more about me, subscribe to my YouTube, and explore my shop, please visit My Link Tree. Thank you for supporting independent art! 🎨🖌️

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*For Educational Purposes Only

Call To Action: Art Kits For Kids

When I was kid, I had to use my school supplies as my art supplies. This is problematic because I had to be careful not to over use them, especially my markers. I needed them for school, so I didn’t get to create as much as I wanted and that hindered my ability to grow my art skills. As an adult, I’ve wondered what I could do to help children who may be in the situation I was in.

The first parrot was drawn in marker by 10 year old artist, Misty (Lemons) & the second parrot was done in watercolor later in her life (in her early 40s).

I was recently inspired by those little free libraries people put in their yards. I wondered how could I do something like that, but with art supplies. After some thought, I questioned whether that would be a good idea because all it takes is one hooligan painting up the neighborhood and I’d be on the hook for the shenanigans.

Intent to not be deterred, I reached out to a couple of arty people I know who have connections within the community that I don’t have as of yet and I suggested an art supply drop off. People can drop off gently used or new art supplies and those in need or want of said supplies are free to come get them. I just needed a location. This would potentially benefit adults and children.

My contact with the Mansfield Commission For The Arts (Texas) is helping me with a location they have available that would work for this. My other contact suggested I could make art kits for kids and distribute them to local food banks.

I love this idea, but lack funding. So, I’ve put together an Amazon Wishlist with supplies I’ll need to put together quality art kits for children. The kits will include an affirmations for kids coloring book, a watercolor how to book, a how to draw almost everything book, watercolor paint, brushes, markers, pencils, paper, and more.

I don’t want to skimp on quality. I remember when I was a kiddo around the holidays, well meaning relatives would occasionally gift me art supplies that were, most likely from a dollar store, and were mostly unusable. These kits should last the children a long time.

Artist Misty Lemons of Designs By Misty Blue Art Holding Up A Watercolor Painting She Created In Her Little Art Studio

If you are an artist or someone who wants to support young artists, maybe this is an idea you could implement in your community. I’d love to see this become a trend. Art is therapeutic. It expands the mind and soothes the soul. I think our communities would greatly benefit from a movement like this.

I’m starting off with 100 kits. If it’s successful, I may do more. I’m not sure where I will store everything (possibly my garage), but first things first. I have to acquire the supplies. If you would like to help, please spread the word and donate something on the wishlist. Thank you so much for your support!

*For Educational Purposes Only

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I Am My Niche: Inspiring Emotional Well-Being Through Art

Social media dictates that you should have a niche to grow your platform. To be honest, I have struggled with this. It feels oppressive. Why put myself in a box? Why should I niche down who and what I am and what I do? I’m a multipassionate, multidimensional human being. I have railed against a niche until I realized I don’t have to.

Pictured: Misty Lemons, a multipassionate multidimensional artist & human being

I can be me and keep doing all I do. Through healing my childhood trauma and all the work I’ve put into it, and how I’ve always used art to cope, I now know I am my niche. My niche is me. It fits me, and there’s peace in that.

My niche is Inspiring Emotional Well-Being Through Art. It’s always been that. I just wasn’t able to put it into words until recently. It helps give my platform direction and meaning. I look forward to continuing to grow and creating more! It’s exciting to better connect with others through my niche!

In any case, thank you for supporting me while I’m on this journey of healing and self-discovery. I appreciate you.

To Shop & Learn More About Me & My Artwork, Please Visit: My LinkTree

*This blog is for educational purposes only. I’m not a therapist or doctor.*

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They Were Wrong: Empowered Women Rock

From my dad who wouldn’t teach me how to work on a car because he’d rather teach my brother to the guidance counselor in highschool who told me girls weren’t allowed in shop class or mechanic class… Eff you! You were wrong.

Gender shouldn’t dictate what experiences and opportunities are granted or not. Especially, if the person is willing to learn.

I know how to check my oil now. I own and use a scroll saw, a drill, and have also used a reciprocating saw. And I’m eager to learn more. You may have slowed me down, but you’re not holding me back.

Here I am using a scrollsaw on an art project I’m creating & also showing off my drill. (I do not own the rights to the music in the video. This is a video I did for TikTok.)

If you’ve ever experienced anything similar, please feel free to share in the comments.

To Learn More About Me And My Artwork, Please Visit: Link Tree

#feminism #feminismishumanism #girlpower #art #artist #traumasurvivor #chronicillnesswarrior #designsbymistyblue

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*For Educational Purposes Only

“Facing Trauma”: My First Ever Podcast Interview

Today I experienced my first ever podcast interview! (You can listen to it on Spotify now!) The podcast channel is called Past Level 50 With Mel and my particular episode is called “Facing Trauma Without The Mask: Misty’s Story”.

Mel and I follow each other on TikTok and that’s how we “met”. She reached out to me about a week ago and invited me to do a podcast with her, after I had mentioned that someday I’d like to do a TEDx Talk and podcast interview about how I’ve used art to help me cope and heal my childhood trauma.

Mel is so easy to talk to. She immediately put me at ease. She’s genuinely kind and real.

I started my trauma healing journey two years ago and today was the culmination of what I’ve learned along the way.

Talking about my life isn’t easy. In fact, it goes against everything I was taught growing up and is foreign to me. I was expected to be quiet and not have needs or emotions. I was taught it was better for me to be invisible and not make myself a target. It’s how I survived.

Here I am holding a foam sculpture I made with an endearing message that means a lot to me

Today triggered me. I felt like I was shaming my mother and her memory. Like I was the bad child my parents made me out to be. Like I was failing her. But the truth is these things happened. I didn’t ask to be born, nor did I ask to be abused by people who should’ve protected me and comforted me. They failed me.

None of this has been easy for me. It’s like ripping a big bandage off a deep, angry wound. It’s raw and painful. But the wound needs to be exposed to the light to heal properly. Keeping this locked inside no longer serves me.

I don’t want to be a prisoner of the past. I owe it to myself to honor myself and my truth. And hopefully, my story will help others know that healing is possible. Though, my main goal is to feel better by healing myself and my family. But I love hearing that it helps others as well. That’s wonderful and amazing to me!

This is a journey I’ll probably be on the rest of my life, but it’s worth it because every step of the way more of the weight is lifted from me.

My mom was troubled. She had her own trauma and didn’t have the tools to cope or heal, but she wanted to and she tried. She did get some things right. She apologized to me a few years ago and genuinely meant it. I forgive her and I love and miss her. I’m her legacy and my healing and ending the generational trauma cycle is my legacy for me and future generations.

Easter with my mom and brother. This was her favorite memory and one of mine too. This photo was at her bedside when she passed. I was at her side too.

If you’ve ever experienced anything similar, please feel free to share in the comments.

To Learn More About Me And My Artwork, Please Visit My LinkTree

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First Image Courtesy Of Mel Chavez

*For Educational Purposes Only

Thyroid Cancer Survivor

Eleven years ago, I had surgery to remove my thyroid. I had two terribly painful lemon size nodules on my thyroid. One in front of the other.

Here I Am, Before Surgery. I Look Happy, But Was Completely Scared.

When they removed everything, they ran tests on the thyroid and nodules. They found a small amount of cancer in my thyroid. Thankfully, removing it was enough to treat it. I didn’t need chemotherapy.

Here I Am After Surgery And Having An Ordeal Post Op. I Was Miserable And Could Hardly Speak. The Surgery Effected My Vocal Chords.

My health is still a struggle, even after all these years. But in all this time, I’ve also had incredible and wonderful things happen that I’m extremely grateful for.

Here I Am (Center) With My Husband (Left) And Son (Right). We Have A Silly Accessories Filter On. This Was Taken At A Local Art And Music Festival.

Spending time with my family and creating art are at the top of my list of things I’m thankful for.

I’ve won awards for my art and photography. I’ve gotten to paint a mural, curated an exhibition that I participated in with a great group of art friends, I stream live while I paint, and so many more fantastic things, in spite of my health and childhood and medical trauma.

Here’s The Give Love Project And Exhibition I Curated And Participated In With A Great Group Of Art Friends. (My Piece Is Pictured Center)

It has been a tough journey, but I’m glad I could be on it. I’m still here and made a YouTube video to prove it!

I lost my mom and my dog this year, within months of each other. And as hard as it’s been, I’m blessed to have gotten to share my life with them. They blessed me with their love and support. I miss them every single day. I hope they can see me and are cheering me on.

Here’s A Glamour Shot Of My Beautiful Momma! I Miss You, Mom And Love You Bunches!

Here’s My Beautiful Buddy (A Lab Heeler Mix) Who I Lost Two Months Before Losing My Mom. I Miss Him So Much.

Here’s A Photo I Recently Took Of Myself On One Of My Jaunts To Paint In The Park (I Stream It Live On TikTok, Designs By Misty Blue)

If you’ve ever experienced anything similar, please feel free to share in the comments.

Thank you for reading my blog and for supporting me. To learn more about me, visit my LinkTree.

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*For Educational Purposes Only

Misty Lemons Presents: A Light In The Dark

I’m putting together a proposal for a gallery exhibition. I have art pieces in mind. Some need to be framed (paintings and drawings) and others will need to be printed onto canvas and framed (digital art). I’m calling my exhibit, “A Light In The Dark”.

The theme for my exhibition is my journey through generational trauma and how art has been a major coping mechanism and driving force in my healing, throughout my life.

I want to incorporate pieces from my childhood and teenage years, as well as work from my adulthood.

Here, I am standing in the beautiful gallery space I want my exhibition to be in

Art is an extremely pure form of expression, in my opinion. It helps the artist express and work through buried thoughts and emotions. It’s also a form of meditation and living in the moment, when you’re creating. Which, in turn helps with anxiety and depression.

As I’m Working To Put This Exhibition Proposal Together, I Made A Video Talking About What Motivated Me To Do So, Please ***Watch***

Putting this together, on my own, will be an expensive undertaking. But I need to be fully prepared and ready to go, should my proposal be accepted. I want to put forth a fully fleshed out exhibition, before I approach the gallery. The gallery is more like a museum setting, so the pieces will not be shown for purchase. I will not be making money from this.

I’ve set up a Kofi Fundraiser to help offset costs. If you feel inspired to help me make this exhibition a reality, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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*For Educational Purposes Only