How a new brush rocked my world
Awakening by Natalie Eve Marquis
Sometimes a tool is just a tool…
It’s just the thing we use to get something done. Other times it's a doorway to discovery, opening up a whole new creative experience.
That was my experience with a simple mop brush.
Using this new mop brush for the first time was pure joy from start to finish. It gave me a completely new way to create the soft, dreamy blended areas I love so much, and it made me want to keep experimenting just to see what would happen next.
Truth be told, I'd tried a mop brush years ago and wasn't impressed at all. Maybe it was too small. Maybe it wasn't the right kind. Maybe the timing just wasn't right. I honestly don't know. But this mop brush completely changed my experience. It totally rocked my world and sparked a fresh wave of curiosity in the studio. I'm having so much fun seeing what effects I can create.
Before this, my favorite tool for creating soft blended areas was a scrunched-up paper towel. I haven't abandoned the paper towels altogether, but they've definitely been bumped from the top spot.
The Smelliest Brush Ever
The only downside? This Creative Mark Goat Hair Mop Brush (purchased through Amazon) has a truly awful smell. The reviews warned me, but I figured, How bad could it be? Well...pretty bad! I actually store it in a zip-top bag after each painting session so the odor doesn't take over the studio. I'm hoping the smell fades with time because, unpleasant aroma aside, this brush has been an absolute delight to paint with.
Here's the Interesting Part
I don't paint many abstracts because I'm never quite sure when they're finished—or even what they're trying to say. This one was different. I loved every minute of creating it, and when I stepped back, I knew it was complete. I also knew its name…
“Awakening”
I love the dreamy, mystical feeling of flowers quietly emerging from another realm. The title feels fitting for another reason, too. This painting has given me a trail of breadcrumbs to follow. It's opened a new direction I want to explore—abstracts built around hints of flowers, soft expanses of blended color, and those quiet places where creation seems to happen just beyond the veil. Serene, yet filled with possibility.
Awakening is an original 16" × 20" acrylic painting on canvas, beautifully finished in a light oak frame.
If this piece speaks to you, I'd love for it to find its forever home. Feel free to reply to this email or visit my website for pricing and additional details.