Happy artist, Misty Lemons, smiling in front of her artwork displayed at her solo show, Musings
From now through November 8th, my solo art show Musings is on display at The Flying Squirrel Coffee Shop in Crowley, Texas, hosted through the Mansfield Tournique Art Collective.
Musings features acrylic and watercolor paintings of whimsical animals and themed pieces bursting with color and personality. For me, art is more than paint on paper, it’s a way to heal, cope, and process life’s challenges.
Here I am striking a happy pose in front of my art show
These colorful, lighthearted themes reflect my desire to brighten the world, even when things feel heavy. Every brushstroke is a reminder of resilience, hope, and the small moments of joy that can transform difficult experiences.
Come with me to set up my solo art show, Musings at Flying Squirrel Coffee in Crowley, Texas. Watch and subscribe to my YouTube
If you’re in the area, I’d love for you to stop by, sip some coffee, and see the work in person. Maybe you’ll leave with a smile or even a favorite piece to take home.
Exhibit Dates: Now through November 8th, 2025 Location: The Flying Squirrel Coffee Shop, Crowley, TX Presented by: Mansfield Tournique Art Collective
To Learn More About My Art & To Shop, Visit My LinkTree You Can Also Subscribe To My YouTube For Behind The Scenes Fun & More
Copyrights & Reproduction Rights Belong Solely To The Artist, Misty Lemons/Misty Blue Arts Do Not Copy Or Reproduce
After years of hard work, some doubt about the algorithm, and posting consistently (posting up to a few videos a week), one of my YouTube shorts finally got over ten thousand views. It didn’t happen overnight. It took a few days, but it reached twentyfour thousand views altogether. It’s my most viewed video to date. It’s not exactly a viralvideo, but it is to me!
You can watch the video here and please feel free to subscribe. It helps with my dream to be able to support my family with my art. Thank you.
“Inner Strength” is a abstract mixed media art piece created by award winning artist, Misty Lemons of Designs By Misty Blue Art. It’s made from watercolor paper and paint and polymer clay.
The video is ten seconds long and starts with me putting watercolor paint onto the rim of a disposable cup and finishes with a photo of me holding the completed art piece. I used a popular sound that would be familiar to many. I used text overlay on the video and made sure to have a detailed description and hashtags.
The beginning of the video was just a small snippet I took from my previous YouTube livestream that I sped up for time. The quick movements capture the eye and holds attention.
In my description I detailed the name of the piece (“Inner Strength”), the art materials used, and some of the process it took to create it. I also connected the livestream video where I worked on the piece as a related video.
All of this combined with consistency and a little bit of luck are what I believe helped the video get the views it has. I also recently reached over 1,000 subscribers and have heard this helps open up the algorithm more as well.
The algorithm on social media platforms can be incredibly daunting to overcome for so many, myself included. It seems fickle at best. Some people get lucky and strike gold immediately. Others can work for years with little or no returns. I always said if I can figure it out, I wouldn’t gatekeep, so I’m sharing what I learn and hope it helps others. I by no means of any stretch of the imagination have it figured out and can offer absolutely no guarantees, but this is what I’ve learned and believe it has helped me.
Above everything, stay consistent, but remember to add a description and several tags. I hope your hard work pays off for you. I’m wishing you the best and I’m rooting for you!
*UPDATE: A few days after having two shorts hit over 20,000 views in the same week, my views tanked. This happened immediately after YouTube wanted me to promote my channel. I’m thinking this is no coincidence. They seemingly opened my views to only shut it off to entice me to promote my channel. I believe this is what happened. The timing of it makes sense, unfortunately and I’ve heard of other social media platforms doing the same sort of thing to people. But I will do what I always do. Carry on. It’s a let down, but not surprising. My advice, remains the same, though. Stay consistent, but not for an algorithm. Do it for yourself. Do it for the love of your art and content. Do it because you wanna make a positive difference. Do it because it matters and means something to you, whether you have a large audience or not.*
To Learn More About Me, Shop My Art & Commissions, Please Visit My Link Tree. Thank You.
*For Educational Purposes Only
Copyrights & Reproduction Rights Belong Solely To Misty R. Lemons/Designs By Misty Blue Do Not Copy Or Reproduce
Hey, everyone! I’m still here. It’s been a tough time, but I’m pushing through. Between dealing with health challenges and trying to raise enough money for a procedure I’ll be having next month, I’ve also been dealing with harassment from my abuser—my father (more on that in a minute).
To keep myself going, I’ve started up the “Sharing My Art Every Day Til I Can Afford Healthcare” series again (on YouTube). I’ve got loads of artwork available, art commissions, tutorials, and a medical fundraiser up and running. If you’re interested in supporting, my family and I would be so grateful. Every bit helps!
I won’t lie—creating new work hasn’t been easy lately. I’ve been in a mental and physical “rest mode,” preparing for my upcoming procedure and, honestly, just enjoying some much-needed time with my immediate family.
Now, you might be wondering why I’m talking about my father. For years, I’ve been healing my childhood trauma and sharing that process with all of you. Staying silent only continues to protect the abuser, and I refuse to do that any longer. My story deserves to be told. It’s incredibly important to me that my story is heard—especially if something were to happen to me, I want there to be a record.
My father has stalked, harassed, and manipulated me for far too long (my whole life). I’ve told him multiple times that I don’t want him in my life—especially after he made cruel accusations to his neighbor, claiming I neglected and abused him. (It’s textbook narcissistic abuse to flip the script on their victim and accuse them of being abusive. The narc is charming to outsiders and they oftentimes will side with the narc.) Keep in mind, I was the one raising money and organizing supplies for him when his house burned down at that time. I even set up Meals on Wheels for him and got him in touch with Red Cross. It’s hard to understand how someone can be so twisted and diabolical, especially to recruit people to exact his cruel bidding even more.
He also told my brother I’m not his child, that he never treated me like I was. (He finally said the quiet part out loud! Now that’s closure!) But I did an Ancestry DNA test, and surprise—turns out, I am his child, just like my mom always said. It’s not shocking to me at this point. What I’ve learned over the years is that he’s cruel, manipulative, exploitative, and abusive. I’ve had enough of that. *YouTube Video Discussing This And Recent Events More In Depth*
I deserve peace. I deserve love. And I deserve happiness.
So, I’m focusing on keeping my spirits up and staying busy when I can, but I’m also giving myself permission to take things slowly and to talk about what’s happened and happening to me now.
I want to thank you all so much for your support and kindness. It truly means the world to me. I’ll try to keep you updated on everything, as it’s important to document things for safety, and I’m so grateful to have you in my corner. Take care of yourselves and I’ll see you soon!
Award Winning Artist, Misty Lemons of Designs By Misty Blue Art holding a watercolor painting she created live on YouTube, showing a technique she uses to calm her anxiety
To learn more about me and my art or if you’d like to offer support, please visit my Link Tree! Thank you so much!
Copyrights Reproduction Rights Belong Solely To Misty Lemons/Designs By Misty Blue Do Not Copy Or Reproduce
*For Educational Purposes Only
*For Legal Purposes, Statements Made Here & Other Platforms Are Opinion & Are Alleged
When I started livestreaming on TikTok, I offered a glimpse into my artistic process. Whether I was painting in watercolor in the park or sculpting polymer clay in my studio, I urged viewers to seek progress and not perfection when practicing art. I spoke on how therapeutic creating art can be, after suffering childhood trauma and using art as a tool for healing.
This Watercolor Fairy Garden Tutorial Is Available In My Shop Now!
After twenty plus years of being a professional creative, it only made sense to start teaching what I’ve learned. I’m starting with watercolor painting and may move on to acrylic painting and polymer clay later.
I chose to start with watercolor tutorials because I remember when I started to learn watercolor how intimidating it felt. But I kept at it and I want to share my insights into the medium with others who may be feeling the same way I did.
To Honor Him, I Named This Tutorial After My Dog, Bones. He Loved Eating Watermelon With Me. He Was My Bestest Buddy And I Miss Him Every Day.Here I Am With My Sweet Boy After Demolishing A Watermelon Together On The Fourth Of July
When the pandemic hit, people were picking up new skills while in quarantine. I decided to pick up watercolor. But after my mom passed in 2022, I decided I needed something to help me through my grief. So I started painting several times a day for six months. Only when I started practicing daily did I see real improvement. And I still consider art a practice. Every time I create I learn something new and see progress in the skills I’m learning.
After Losing My Mom, Going To The Park To Paint Was The Best Thing I Did For Myself. It Helped Me Process My Grief.
It’s my hope that I inspire others to create and use art for their mental and emotional well-being. I’m not a therapist or doctor, but studies show art is beneficial and beyond that, I believe it because I live it. Art helps me. Maybe, it can help you too.
To Learn More About Me & My Artwork & To Shop My Art & Tutorials, Please Visit My LinkTree
Art & Blog Copyrights & Reproduction Rights Belong Solely To: Misty R. Lemons/Designs By Misty Blue Do Not Copy
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
Misty Blue Arts is an award-winning, multi-passionate artist and a survivor of thyroid cancer, chronic illness, and childhood trauma. Her work blends whimsy and resilience, often bursting with vibrant color and playful creatures, including the occasional feisty llama.
She works in watercolor, acrylic paint, digital illustration, and clay, creating soul-led pieces that offer refuge, spark joy, and reflect the depth of lived experience. Whether born from heartbreak or hope, Misty’s art is always emotionally honest and infused with wonder, humor, and healing.
Despite everything she’s endured, she still believes in magic and makes art that gently whispers, “You’re not alone.”
Her greatest strengths are her vulnerability, creativity, and courage. Through them, she connects, uplifts, and reminds us: even in darkness, we are not broken, we are unfolding.
Curious to learn more, explore Misty’s art, or talk licensing? Visit her Link Tree
Misty, Holding A Foam Conversation Heart She Sculpted & Painted, With An Affirmation That She Holds Dear
Copyrights & Reproduction Rights Belong Solely To The Artist, Misty R. Lemons/Designs By Misty Blue/Misty Blue Arts Do Not Copy
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.
Copyrights: Misty R. Lemons/Designs By Misty Blue Do Not Copy
Misty Blue Arts 