There was a time when I used to write regularly. And by “regularly,” I mean whenever my brain had too many thoughts for an Instagram caption (which…was often). Blogging was a space where I could think out loud, tell stories, and—let’s be real—overshare just the right amount.
And then, life got busy. My speed painting career took off, I started traveling constantly, and somewhere along the way, my blog took a backseat. But lately, I’ve been feeling the pull to write again—to actually sit down and reflect, rather than just post and move on. So, here we are.
I'll still be posting on my website blog - but if you want to get these kinds of updates straight to your inbox - click on over and subscribe to my shiny new Substack!
Why Now?
I didn’t wake up one day and think, You know what my life needs? Another platform to keep up with. But after helping a friend launch their Substack, I realized this place is kind of incredible—it’s like a mix between an old-school blog, an email newsletter, and a secret VIP club where I can actually connect with people in a deeper way.
And honestly - I miss writing. I love sharing my art, my performances, and my wild travel schedule, but I also want to share the messy, funny, unexpected moments in between. Because speed painting is cool (objectively), but I also want my followers to know me—the person behind the paint.
So here we are.
I’m diving in, head first, hoping I can keep up with the cadence I have in my mind (ambitious? absolutely), and excited to share a whole new side of what I do.
What You’ll Find Here
Behind-the-Scenes Stories – What it’s really like to be a speed painter on the road. The good, the wild, and the unexpected.
Reflections on My Work – Breaking down what it’s like to perform live, work with different industries, and bring art into spaces that usually don’t expect a speed painter to show up.
The Small Moments In Between – Travel, life updates (I am getting married in 40-some days, no big deal), and whatever else feels worth sharing.
A Peek Behind the Curtain – If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work with a speed painter, this is the place where I’ll demystify the process, tell you what goes into it, and probably spill a few industry secrets along the way.
Why I’m Doing This (Again)
I’ve missed writing.
It connected me with my community in a way that nothing else did. Sure, I can post a photo of my latest painting, but there’s something more human, more real about writing out my thoughts, telling a story, and letting people see me—not just my work.
And at the end of the day, this is about connection.
Most people see the final painting—the big reveal, the moment the canvas flips. But the real magic? It happens in the in-between. The long travel days, the unexpected moments, the renovations I’m working on in my studio, the stories that never make it into a social media post. That’s what I want to share here.
That’s the vibe here. Less polished, more real. Less “marketing,” more messy middle of a creative life. Hope you stick around—I’ve got some fun stories to tell.
Talk soon,
Annika 🎨✨
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