Cozy Paintings, Portraits, and Prints by Jen Carmiel | Columbia, South Carolina
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3 Rules for Peaceful Living

3/25/2024

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Reader. Oil paint on canvas pad. (2023)
I have to say, I’m getting used to it. 23 days into my 30 day journey to find myself, and I feel myself filling up the shell that I used to be. The shell that belonged to others, for them to project their ideas onto, their wants and wishes. I remember that once I felt as if I were a servant, always asking “what can I do for you?” in my head, hourly, sometimes by the minute, to others. I always wanted to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend, a good employee, a good person. I thought that being a “good person” meant being good to others. Now I’m discovering that being a “good person” is also being good to yourself.

It’s easy to get caught up with the treadmill run of trying to be everything for everyone else. You feel like you’re doing a great job, you see the distance climbing higher on the machine, and you feel like you’re getting somewhere. 

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The Story of The Muse

3/18/2024

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Commissioned portrait for a couple's wedding. Oil on stretched canvas (2023).
It’s 7:20PM on a Saturday evening. I’ve returned home from a long and exciting day out in Charlotte, North Carolina. I visited the Charlotte Museum of Modern Art with my partner, and attended the St Patrick’s day parade and artist market.

I created a watercolor painting from life with the market bustling around me, live music blaring in my ears. (Thank you, little earplugs I carry around at all times.) I had an absolutely dream of a day. I felt alive in the fullness of my artist self. So connected. Living in my truth.

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The 30 Day Challenge

3/11/2024

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Another Monday comes around, and I find myself back at a blank document. About one week ago I decided to quit my job and start an experiment with myself. I told myself I would take 30 days to strictly pursue my own interests, hobbies, and turn them into a business. And see what happens. I also told myself I would publish a blog post once a week. So, here we are.

What are my rules for myself? How do I structure my time? Here. I'll tell you. . .


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I Quit My Corporate Job

3/4/2024

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How did I get here? As I sit writing this first blog post, I can’t help but glance at the time. 8:54AM, Monday morning. At this time last week, I would have been rushing into the office for another day in a corporate-ruling, soul crushing world. Instead, I sit in my bedroom at a newly-cleaned desk. Instead of my typical travel cup of water, I sip from a tall cylinder: a  household glass. 

My entire life, I knew that creating artwork was what I wanted to do forever. As a child, I would carry around folders of printer paper to draw on the bus until that folder was ripped and falling apart at the seams. I would doodle in the margins of every homework assignment and every test, (sometimes gaining extra credit for a particularly good doodle, thank you, Mr. Germain).  It was that one thing I never let go of. . . until I did.


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    Author



    Jen Carmiel is a watercolor painter and illustrator based in Columbia, South Carolina.

    Inspired by the memory of picking roses with her grandfather, Jen Carmiel paints the Small Joys as a reminder that joy doesn't have to be big. Joy is what you notice. No amount of chasing will change the love you feel for what you already have.

    To support Jen Carmiel in her mission to discover and spread the Small Joys, consider joining the Small Joys Club!

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  • Home
  • Shop
    • Originals
    • Art Prints
    • Collections >
      • The Rose Garden (2025)
      • BREATHING (2024)
      • Pride (2025)
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
  • Blog
  • Small Joys Club
    • Join
    • View the Gallery
    • 5 Random Joys
  • Watercolor Classes