Launching My Shop From Our Van 🚐

A chat about the renewed appreciation I have for my art practice. Plus, creating a mini landscape painting of one of our favourite wild camping spots in the UK , and sharing with you the relaunch of my art shop, managed completely from our home on wheels! Here's the van life artist content you were after (I hope!) Subscribe and follow along to see the behind the scenes of running an art business from our van and more about my nomadic lifestyle.
Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/u...
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[@ohbli_oh]

I had a similar moment of intense joy and gratitude recently (and gratitude isn’t a word I use much) when I thought of my love for drawing and how I can always do it even if I had very little stuff or was somewhere really boring. That I have something to grow and improve at and relax and disappear into. It’s very precious to me and all the hours I’ve put in over my life and where I’m at is a precious thing for me too.

[@hollyexley]

This is exactly how I feel. We are so lucky!

[@ThePattiw]

I love all the prints and stickers in your shop Holly! I wanted them all, but sadly with all of our brutal postage even one item is out of reach for me right now. I have recently been inspired by keeping a scrapbook. Not those fancy, perfect crafty ones, but one in which I collage anything I like visually or like the texture, art exhibit invites, artists and makers business cards, cutouts from magazines or newspapers. It all goes in the book, some pages are a mishmash, others are dedicated to a particular artist or theme. Because it doesn't matter if the images look right to me since I am not making them there is no pressure to make it "look good" but somehow the pages do and are very inspirational for me when I flip through the book. Music or a good audio book - these are a must when I am in the studio. Congratulations on the shop launch!

[@BethDooner]

I always remember a piece advice being "imagine your life like it's a Ghibli movie, and how 'nice' even the smallest things would look" and it changed a lot for me. Even my way too cluttered space would have its own charm. The snoot set is AMAZING what an excellent idea :D I can imagine this being an excellent series, maybe something like Toe Beans next?

[@hollyexley]

Toe beans! Such a great subject matter, what an amazing idea :D

[@emilyhales]

I loved hearing you talk about romanticizing your art! This was so inspiring. You have the best personality 💓

[@heathershaw9235]

The snoot set is adorable, I've just made an order! Can't wait to stick them on my notebook.

[@Spidercandy957]

The prints are so beautiful and the snoot set is so funny and cute!!

[@ChantelleArts]

This is so good, congrats on the launch... again ☺☺

[@GalletaCreates]

The snoot stickers are adoooooorable 😍

[@Ellary_Rosewood]

I love those prints and I especially love the Snoop Set! I'm really tight on my funds right now as I'm trying to save everything for moving to Europe, but I'm definitely going to purchase one of your lovely prints in the near future. I've also started to romanticize my art again. Remembering why I used to create as a child and why it began to feel like a chore. Lately, I've been putting on an audiobook and losing myself in the process of painting and drawing again and it feels AMAZING. Getting rid of my perfectionism has been a huge focus for me and it's been so therapeutic to just allow myself to doodle and draw nonsensical things again. I feel like my creativity and my childlike sense of wonder has been coming back again. 🥰 Thanks for yet another lovely video, Holly!

[@hollyexley]

That sounds amazing Ellary, good for you! Hope the process of moving goes smoothly for you 😘

[@debsllewelyn230]

Snoot Set!! How fabulous

[@hollyexley]

Yay!

[@barbdesigns]

Awww, great about the relaunch and I love the Snoot set :) they are so cute!!! Well Done! 🖌💛💚🧡

[@hollyexley]

Thank you so much!

[@robinamybruce]

just seeing you paint with music in the background, inspires me to make that time for myself and do the same. but since it's not my job. It will be a selfcare moment.. and the little cards to buy is amazing ! xo much love from an old follower, who had stopped waching your video's .. but will continue again.. ( beautiful seanary, and seeing what inspired you are also good)

[@deboramissoorten6765]

Sketchbooks can feel so liberating to play in , nevertheless I have periods I seem simply to forget them but now you're the second one that reminds me off it so I am pleased for that ! Your prints look awesome and so funny about the stickers , they look great too . Good luck with the re-opening of your Etsy shop 🍀

[@hollyexley]

Thank you so much Debora :D

[@cherylwithers]

Just placed an Order for some lovely prints and I am so happy to have been able to place an Order for your Zine. I missed it last time, but managed to get one this time. Can't wait to get it! xXx

[@hollyexley]

I'm so glad you were able to get one Cheryl, thank you so much for supporting my shop!

[@DrFjords]

Snapped up some prints and the stickers as soon as I got the email! The wood sorrel and the owl/mustelid prints are my favorite I think 💕

[@hollyexley]

Thank you so much! I really hope you like them :)

[@TazimHamid]

Love your sketchbook drawings Holly ❤️

[@hollyexley]

Thank you kindly Tazim :)

[@simonwilson64]

Wonderful!! I love your snoot set! What a fabulous idea. I’ll be sure to check out your shop! ❤

[@hollyexley]

Thank you so much :D

[@elizabethwindrow8306]

Hi Holly, I'm glad your Etsy shop is open again. I have already ordered two prints❤

[@hollyexley]

Thank you so much Elizabeth, I really appreciate the support! I hope you like your prints :)

[@bunnykins1450]

Thank you. Your words are from the heart and soul even when you say *to pay the bill*. Brava. And again thank you. You made a difference to me 🙏🏼💕

[@bunnykins1450]

Beautiful soul

[@beccac615]

Nothing I love more than putting on an audiobook or some vlogs and crafting - it helps my anxiety a lot too!

[@hollyexley]

Sounds idyllic Becca!

[@maluiriarte]

Hi!! I found your channel right now, and I love this video, I'm painting with watercolour while Im listening and watching your video.I must to say you that I found your stickers so so lovely!!! I hope they became best sellers!!! Congratulations and best wishes from Buenos Aires!!!

[@hollyexley]

Thank you so much!

[@MrsQuam]

This was lovely to watch and I wish I knew what song was playing on piano!

[@hollyexley]

Thank you - it was Pinchon by brique-a-braq, I got it from Musicbed :)

[@itscarolinemary]

When I was young, I used to love art and I was somewhat not bad at it. Not amazing but there was a natural talent, ish. If I kept at it, or explored more, I feel I would have gotten even better. In my first year of high school I started comparing myself to others in art class and felt less inspired. I went through some horrible mental health struggles too back then. Now I'm 31 and I am craving getting back into art... but I am such a perfectionist in everything that I let fear stop me from even trying. Your art is so inspiring to me & also filmmaking. I also love videography & photography as a passion so I've been channeling that! I want to really explore both but the fear of failure and not being good always makes me procrastinate!

[@hollyexley]

That is so relatable Caroline, procrastination is huge. Why do humans have to be like this?! I believe in you though - keep exploring and taking inspiration where you can. I also really struggle with comparison, I have to shut it down in the same way I try to shut down my anxiety when I can feel it spiralling. It's really hard but important not to give it too much time. Noticing when you're doing it is really helpful too, you're on the right track.

[@sarawebb6031]

I was super stoked when I opened Patreon & saw your Etsy shop open notice! I purchased the 3 mini Foraging prints. Big hugs to all! 💜💜💜💜

[@melissaterry1585]

I had one of your calendars. I still have it somewhere. Why don’t you create a vegan food year calendar? With recipes for some of the amazing food you eat. I would definitely buy one! Stickers ordered 🎉

[@hollyexley]

Thats a brilliant idea Melissa, thank you! And plenty of time to get a head start on this project.

[@FeralEcho]

I’d love to see you do a second run of your Whalebone zine, I was bummed to have missed it the first time and want a second chance 😂

[@hollyexley]

I will try to make this happen!

[@Marxnchill]

I think big noses are cute! On human animals too!

[@hollyexley]

I agree! A strong nose is a good look!

[@catklu]

👏☺🙂

[@LauraGomez-bl2so]

How do your watercolours not run when you use that table easel? I've always painted watercolours flat like some kind of idiot. :D Love the snoot set!

[@hollyexley]

I think it really depends on how wet your brush is :D I use a very dry brush, not much water at all, so I dont notice any paint running or anything.

[@lawsdraws]

Snoots

[@HoneysVlog]

Hello Holly, maybe I missed it, but I can't find your Patreon link in the info box. 🤔 Sunny greetings from Germany, Anni 🌻

[@hollyexley]

Just added it - under 'FIND ME' section, thanks for the reminder :)