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Notes from Nola Noreen!

Looking for some sketchy inspiration?

HOW TO USE THESE NOTES: These notes are dynamic.  I’ll post a note and return later to add an additional sketch or a link to another post, as they are completed.  It’s almost more of a bulletin board in that regard. 

Building An Art Career “Backwards”

I’m doing it backwards, but it’s working! Instead of getting an Art degree and them starting my professional art career, I’ve done it the other way around. In 2025 I applied to art school as a 55 year old CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) who had no formal art...

An Artist’s First: What Just Happened To Me

This was a first for me!  I have a great urban sketch in my collection titled Sourdough Bakery.  It's an adorable little bakery with the best sourdough cinnamon buns you have ever had in your life.  The building itself is charming and rustic.  My sketchy side-kick and...

Art Storefronts Review Of First Month (I Sold Art!!)

I will lead with what you all want to know…did I sell any art? The answer is YES!! The original above is gone from my inventory AND I have had a collector (who is well aware that prints are available) ask if I would create another original of the same building for...

Why I Chose Art Storefronts (For Better or For Worse)

For better or for worse, artists need to be online these days and that's why I was looking at Art Storefronts.  I am probably the most left-brained artist you've ever met.  I've spent many more years running businesses as a Chartered Professional Accountant (with a...
Cedar Cafe (Coffee Shop Review)

Cedar Cafe (Coffee Shop Review)

Cedar CafeRATING: 5/5Coffee shop reviews by Nola Noreen!Roses for LunchSweetie is (finally) starting to work on his retirement plans.  We took a drive to Cornhill Nursery in search of grape vines.  However, upon arrival the first signage we see is for the "Cedar...

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The Landing Fredericton (Coffee Shop Review)

The Landing Fredericton (Coffee Shop Review)

The Landing FrederictonRATING: 5/5Coffee shop reviews by Nola Noreen!Our Most Visited Coffee ShopThe Landing is what Sweetie and I consider our "local" coffee shop even though it's a 30 minute drive to get there.  We're rural.  Everything is a 30 minute drive! I think...

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10 Reasons You Should Convert Your Van For Camping!

10 Reasons You Should Convert Your Van For Camping!

Vinny VAN Gogh at KOA in New Mexico, USAMy daughter wrote off my 2009 Honda Civic in 2022. I couldn’t even get upset because I had told myself that when it was time to replace my car, I was getting a van that I could convert for wild camping. What a grand opportunity...

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