There’s something about November skies in Colorado that stops me in my tracks. The sunsets and sunrises this time of year are unlike any other—blazing streaks of pink, orange, and blue that feel like nature’s last hurrah before winter fully sets in. I’ve always wondered if it’s the angle of the sun, the cooler temperatures, or maybe just the slower pace of November that allows me to notice them more. Perhaps it’s actually that Sunsets and sunrises happen at an hour when I can more easily notice them. Whatever the reason, they get to me every year. This collection of sunset paintings, called November Skies, is my way of capturing that breathtaking beauty with soft pastel.
When I started this series, I went back to using soft pastels—a medium I hadn’t touched in a year or so. It felt so natural, like coming home. And yet, there’s always that inner voice whispering about “finding my niche.” As artists, we’re often told we need a signature style to build our brand. But the truth? That kind of thinking can feel like a box, one that limits instead of frees. What I’ve come to realize is that my style isn’t tied to the medium I use; it’s in the way I see and interpret the world. My color palette, the way I draw people and places, the emotions I aim to evoke—those things stay consistent, no matter the tools in my hand. And my art isn’t meant to be a brand, that’s just an easy way to show up consistently on social media. My art is meant to showcase the world as I see it, in that moment and sticking to one medium doesn’t always tell the story I want to tell in that moment.
This need for “an artistic style” is just one more “should” that we can let go of. Your creative practice doesn’t need to fit into a tidy box. It’s enough to show up, to create, to express your voice authentically. When you do that, your style will come through naturally. It’s part of who you are, and it’s impossible to hide. Look at the great artists of history—their most famous works might share similarities, but their full bodies of work reveal a journey. They experimented, evolved, and witnessed the world through ever-changing lenses. The pieces we associate with their “brand” are just a fraction of their stories.
So, if you’ve been feeling the pressure to define your style or stick to a niche (in any creative format or field), let this be your permission slip to let that go. Creativity is about exploration, about following what inspires you in the moment. For me, that’s been the November skies, soft pastels, and the chance to celebrate nature’s fleeting beauty.
Each piece in this series is an ode to the quiet drama of twilight and a reminder of the beauty in following creative flow. These soft pastel works capture moments of wonder–or what I call everyday magic. They invite you to pause, breathe, and let the season’s warmth and serenity wash over you. They’re a testament to how authenticity in storytelling—whether through art or life—lets your unique style shine through. By bringing the fleeting magic of Colorado’s November skies indoors, these paintings celebrate the quiet joy of witnessing the world with fresh eyes.
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