We just returned from the trip of a lifetime in Hawaii (Kaua’i) celebrating our daughter, Reese’s, high school graduation. Everything was extraordinary, breathtaking and exploding with color. I’ve been sketching our Hawaii experiences in a travel sketchbook. I still have to finish a few pages, so for now, here is part one of our trip to Hawaii!

I’m so excited to be able to put just a tiny bit of what I felt onto paper so I can remember those wonderful emotions every time I look at my travel sketchbook. I’m also incorporating these into the memory book I’m putting together for my daughter.

Now I get why Israel’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is so moving. It truly feels like another realm in Hawaii.

I absolutely love these sketches. Not because they’re perfect. In fact, if I look at them for more than a few seconds, I immediately start ripping them to shreds with all the mistakes, imperfections, and so on. No, I love these sketches because of their imperfections.

While we were at our class, I also enjoyed sketching this construction scene in downtown Macon.

I took a sketchbook class recently in Macon. It helped me learn some tips, tricks, and techniques for sketching better. And sketching in a way that helps me grow as an artist.

I had a meeting at the Roberta-Crawford County Chamber of Commerce recently and I took a few minutes to sketch the cute building and the red train car in downtown Roberta. It’s just so friendly and welcoming to me.

My daughter’s favorite flower is a tiger lily and she wants a large piece of art over her bed for her college apartment. So I did a little sketch for her to see if the colors were what she wants with some new gouache paints I’m trying out.

Friends shopping at Natalie Bradley Home’s space at Forsyth Antiques and More.

I sketch or doodle a lot when people are talking, including during the sermon at church. (I also take notes.) This actually helps me focus and not get distracted.

Morning sketchbook fun. Starting with the shadows. I love this by itself honestly. It makes me feel so happy. 

Unadilla Methodist Church Watercolor by Natalie Bradley.

A couple of weeks ago, I arrived at a meeting in Columbus, Georgia a few minutes early. So, I pulled over and sketched this gorgeous historic church downtown. It’s the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, and I admire its beauty every time I drive by to go the Chamber of Commerce.

I only had about 10 minutes to draw this and I added some paint later so it’s super simple, but it was a lot of fun!

This couple illustration was fun to create recently and she loved it. She was excited that I even included her tattoos.

The Braves are a part of the culture in Georgia and the spirit is especially contagious when the Braves are having an incredible season. So…. my husband suggested I make a watercolor featuring bits and pieces of Braves culture for all the fans out there.

Sketchbook journaling is one of my new favorite things. It really does help me to get out of my head and into a place of joy. It also helps me warm up to paint for my awesome clients like you!

I go through seasons of creativity and prolific art production. And then I have seasons where I am resting and feel depleted.

Recently I sketched a few of my favorite downtown Perry shops for the Dogwood Festival.

Sketching is so enjoyable. I can just freehand it, get lost in the fun of creating, and not have to worry about making everything perfect or include too many details. I have a handful left that you can purchase from our space in Lanier Hays Design in downtown Perry or from our online shop.

I love @bridalsbygilbert in downtown Perry. I started this sketch during the @perrydogwoodfestival and then I went to a conference, birthdays, Easter, life… and I finished it just a few days ago.

It just makes me happy. I hope it makes you happy too.

I stumbled upon the @wilddaisyfarm on Instgram, and had to sketch their lavender shack in my sketchbook.

I am obsessed with lavender and have been since I was a teenager. It is my favorite scent!

I cannot wait to go to this farm in real life and do some #travelsketching How beautiful!

Hey, Perry friends! You kept asking if you could buy my artwork around Perry and now you can!

Natalie Bradley Home is now also located inside Lanier Hays Design (at 925 Jernigan St., Perry, GA) along with A Gracious Plenty to make shopping a little easier for our local shoppers. As I create new local artwork, I’ll also have it available for sale there.

Thank you for a wonderful experience at the Perry Dogwood Festival!