You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. -Buddha (I LOVE this quote! P.S. colored in this drawing with one of Jane Davenport’s The Colour Institute watercolor markers from Michaels. I LOVE her watercolor markers. This color is Blue Bottle.) (1 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 3, 2017 at 6:40am PST

Celebrate what makes you unique. What a boring world it would be if we were all the same. (It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I stopped trying to fit in with how everyone else is like. When I was in my thirties, I started to love who I am and to celebrate (instead of criticize) the ways I differ from other people.) (27 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 29, 2017 at 6:20am PST

I miss you when you’re not around. (For everyone with friends and family members far away and everyone with friends and family members who have passed away. This is also for my first art friend: Kym Stromberg (1960-2013) who I miss very much.) (4 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 6, 2017 at 5:23am PST

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 18, 2017 at 5:32am PST

Take a nap. You’ll feel better. I promise. (I’ve always wanted to draw my own version of a lion and now I have. This makes me happy.) (7 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 9, 2017 at 7:31am PST

Remember what brings you joy (and do them often.) (This was a big insight for me today. Here's why: Earlier this week, I was in Glastonbury, England and I saw so many beautiful goddess paintings. The goddess paintings made me decide, "I am going to start to paint women's faces and bodies and goddesses." This morning, I spent hours and hours on two art journal spreads in which I attempted to incorporate women's faces. But, the art journal spreads didn't work and they made me doubt whether I wanted to start making art again. Then, I decide to draw, with paint, this imaginary-looking underwater-like character and her simplicity made me so happy. The sight of her reminded me that I like making imaginary characters that don't necessarily look human-like. I also remembered that my non-human-like art DOESN'T make me less of an artist as people who draw and paint human-like art. Actually, by embracing what brings me joy is WHAT MAKES ME AN ARTIST. As an added bonus, when people look at my art, they can sense that my drawing gave me joy when I made it; this is why people, who like my art, like my art.)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Sep 4, 2017 at 3:55pm PDT

This moment is perfect. But only if you let it be that way. (20 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 22, 2017 at 5:34am PST

Inside, we are all the same. (These are close-ups photos and one zoomed-out photo of a recent journal spread.)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Sep 5, 2017 at 4:36pm PDT

Change is hard while it’s happening. But, after the newness becomes familiar, life is easier. (29 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 31, 2017 at 6:50am PST

Go forth. An amazing and interesting year awaits you. (Happy New Years, everyone! I wish for you a marvelously fulfilling 2018. Thank you for looking at my post-Switzerland work. Posts of new artwork starting tomorrow. Love, Jenny) (30 of 30.)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Jan 1, 2018 at 8:01am PST

If you can be happy when it’s rainy, cold, and windy, you will have a happy life. This is because you carry happiness in your heart wherever you go instead of carrying an empty heart that is needy for external circumstances to fill your heart with happiness. (22 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 24, 2017 at 7:27am PST

Let us admire and love each person we meet. (For everyone seeking a more compassionate, less judgmental world.) (3 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 5, 2017 at 5:27am PST

Hold me. Please. (For everyone who likes to hug and be hugged. I used Jane Davenport’s Starfish watercolor marker from Michaels. I LOVE this color.) (2 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 4, 2017 at 5:37am PST

The universe wants your dreams to come true. (For all of the dreamers out there. And, for all of the child-at-heart unicorn-lovers. I appreciate that it’s socially acceptable to be in my forties and to LIKE unicorns.) (9 of 30)

A post shared by Jenny Messerle (@jennymesserle) on Dec 11, 2017 at 5:29am PST