Studio Newsletter | August 2025

Not sure what it says on your calendar but it’s August here in Texas. I’m convinced that every year, as summer draws to a close, the memory of August’s furnace hell heat is erased from memory because if we remembered, everyone would move away.

My feral child turns five this month. Besides reflecting on the joy that has come from watching her grow, all of the great moments, etc I keep thinking of a conversation I had with a seasoned parent when Emmie Bean the Wonder Machine was only a few months old.

I was sharing the depths of my exhaustion and general emotional and mental anguish that new motherhood had bestowed upon me. “It only gets harder” was their professional insight. What an asshole thing to say, I thought but now I know they were shootin’ it straight…it indeed gets harder.

If you’ve ever raised a young child then you know it’s like being joined at the hip with a super drunk friend. And not only are you navigating weird situations that have no solution, you’re doing it on years of little to no sleep.

This kiddo hasn’t napped since she was one - she’s full-throttle, no brakes. She wants to make all of the things and learn all of the stuff from sunup to sundown. I couldn’t be more proud of her or more exhausted.

What does all of this have to do with an art newsletter? Because I’ve been watching my studio practice flame fight daily to stay lit (summer has meant no nature school twice a week for Bean which means zero dedicated studio time). At the same time, I’m questioning if my momming skills are matching what my wonderful, smart, strong-willed wild child needs. Neither of my two priorities are getting my full attention so it’s time to find a new balance.

Mom/artist experiences always seep into work and this is no exception. Above is a drawing of a Chuck-will’s-widow. Of all bird songs, his is the one that can send me back to childhood instantly. He’s nocturnal and his calls were the cause of many sleepless nights during childhood. Until recently, I thought it had been a Whip-poor-will. As a kid, he wasn’t my favorite but now he’s magic. Childhood memories, sleep deprivation, and new outlooks…the perfect ingredients for a therapy session.

STUDIES

At this point, my cup is still full with canyon inspiration and that makes me glad.

“You’re never alone.” | Shadow, 5.5”x5.5”, Flashe on paper

“He knew more than most.” | He Knew More Than Most, 5.5”x5.5”, Flashe on matboard

“Every child knew of the legend. It was the story of a snake whose body ran the entire length of the nearby canyon and if you ever became lost, he was the one who found you. The lost soul had two choices upon meeting the snake - to let it destroy them or to make it their friend.” | Canyon Legend, 5.5”x5.5”, Flashe on paper

ALTARS | GUIDES | AMULETS

New batch of amulets! The convenience and joy of creating these guys keeps me in the makin’ game.

Canyon Snake Amulet Necklace

Amulet Necklaces from left to right: Mope the Donkey, Pearl the Possum, Rain, and Quiet Cat

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The crew of new amulets is August’s Studio Shop highlight. Several previously made necklaces are available at Artspace111.

Pearl the Possum | Amulet Necklace

PEARL THE POSSUM | Resourcefulness

“After the threat was gone, Pearl seemingly rose from the dead and scrambled away. The opossum had been very much alive during the encounter, she was just practicing her mastery of self-preservation.”

$145.00

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Rain Necklace

Rain | Tranquility

“Rain followed the dust storm, washing away the layer of dirt that had settled on the landscape.”

$100.00

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Canyon Snake | Amulet Necklace

Canyon Snake | Optimism

$135.00

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Mope the Donkey | Amulet Necklace

Mope the Donkey | Kindness

“The donkey’s posture conveyed a lifetime of sensitivity and kindness towards all who’d crossed his path.”

$135.00

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Quiet Cat | Amulet Necklace

Quiet Cat | Tranquility

“Take a moment when you need it.”

$135.00

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Lolly is on summer vacation and I’m impatiently waiting for her return.

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Documenting my landscape through paintings and storytelling.

Hi, I’m Layla! I am a painter with a focus on southwestern landscapes and the author/illustrator of a children’s story series called The Lolly Stories. The exploration of home, nature, and storytelling are the major components of both my painting practice and illustrations.