Creating In Him

Looking for simple, inexpensive ways to encourage creativity and sensory play with your children or grandchildren? As an artist, former children’s art teacher, mom, and now Grammy to a creative 3-year-old, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite DIY creative activities for little ones—many using things you probably already have at home or can find at the dollar store.

Discover how my love of cycling inspires my whimsical bicycle paintings. From riding the beautiful Razorback Greenway in Northwest Arkansas to imagining my dream bikes in dream settings, each painting combines real-life inspiration with color, texture, and imagination. For fellow cyclists and art lovers, these paintings are a colorful reminder of the trails, adventures, and places we love.

Made of Memories is a collection inspired by one of life’s sweetest seasons—raising children and the ordinary moments that quietly became extraordinary memories.

Created from years of layered paint, collected papers, and woven remnants of previous artwork, these paintings celebrate backyard birthday parties, wildflower bouquets, picnic quilts, childhood imagination, and the wonder found in everyday life.

My hope is that these pieces not only tell my story, but awaken memories of your own.

What does an artist’s studio really look like in the middle of a creative session? Mine looks like beautiful, intentional chaos. I’m lucky enough to have converted my third garage into a dedicated creative space, and while I have a desk, two large tables, and easel wall space… I almost always end up on the floor. In this post I’m pulling back the curtain on how I actually work — from lighting a candle and prepping surfaces, to sneaking away on a Saturday morning for a stretch of uninterrupted creative flow.

Before the fireworks lit the sky, there were pool games, greased watermelon contests, picnic blankets spread across golf course greens, homemade ice cream, and sparklers glowing in the summer night. Threads of Freedom 250 was inspired by these cherished Fourth of July memories from my childhood in Fayetteville, Arkansas—a collection that celebrates the traditions, community, and freedom that connect us across generations.

Mixed media artist Stacy Spangler introduces Threads of Freedom — a new original collection of hand-painted, woven flag art created in honor of America’s 250th birthday, honoring sacrifice, resilience, and the beauty of many stories woven into one.

One of the questions I get asked most often—by both art collectors and fellow artists—is: “How do you decide what to paint?”

The honest answer? It’s rarely one thing.

In this personal art blog post, mixed media artist Stacy Spangler reflects on signing a lease for her caboose art studio, discovering that running an art retail space wasn’t aligned with her creative goals, and embracing a slower, more intentional season of life. As she steps away from striving for a full-time art business, she chooses to focus on painting for pleasure, teaching art classes when inspired, and enjoying time with her grandson in what she calls her “Grandma Era.” This post explores creative entrepreneurship, shifting dreams, art studio life, and finding freedom in redefining success as an artist.

I’ve taken a step back from social media to be more present, pursue peace, and guard what shapes my heart. As an artist and follower of Jesus, I’m learning that what I consume affects what I create—and I want to reflect God’s love, not the world’s chaos.

Why I collect art and why collecting art matters. A personal reflection on joy, self-expression, and connection through art collecting and original artwork.

Reading is one of my many favorite hobbies, and I love a good book about art, creativity and entrepreneurship. Here's my top ten art related books that you will find on my art studio shelf.