Second chapters in life are something I know all too well. Sometimes you have to travel the world and back again to find yourself.

I had spent years doing what so many women do beautifully- raising two sons, building a home, pouring myself into family while working as a wedding photographer. Working hard to balance it all and enjoying every minute- well amost. But when my boys went off to college and my husband and I had to move across the country leaving everything that was dear to me to start all over again - the house grew quiet. Something was missing. Then one afternoon in a little art shop tucked away in Laguna Beach, California, my eyes met an old friend. There, propped on a shelf, was a brush that looked exactly like the one I had cherished in high school. In that instant everything came rushing back- the color, the texture, the joy of bringing light to life on canvas. It seemed as though my life had come full circle, leading me back to my one true love: painting. Designing. Bringing beauty into my world again.

I remember the excitement. My heart filled with joy. I couldn't wait to begin again what I had nearly lost those many years ago. From that moment forward, I went all in- studying with accomplished artists across the country, attending workshops, courses, and private sessions. Over the last twelve years, I've learned the art of laying down a brushstroke, how to use light and shadow to make a painting come alive, and in the process, I not only found my artistic voice, but I found myself again.

The little girl who once wandered the bluffs overlooking the marshes of Savannah, Georgia had returned - grateful to God, grounded in beauty, and eager to share joy through her work. Today, my paintings reflect that journey: quiet Southern gardens, sunlit interiors, and French vineyard hillsides where the light does most of the talking.

We have since moved back to the Southeast and I spend my time between Birmingham, Alabama and Park City, Utah. Over these twelve years, I have learned a lot, but more than anything, I've learned that art isn't just about talent or time- it's about courage. Courage to start again, to step into the unknown, to create your own second chapter. That's why I'm happy to share my journey with other women so that they too can find their own path - because it's never too late to write a new story.

So come in. Step over my English Bulldogs, pour a cup of tea, and join me in the sunlight. Or wander with me through a French vineyard as I paint. The best is yet to come. I would love to hear from you as I go searching for my next inspiration to capture on canvas. Come follow me on my instagram @caroline.harris.art. I would love to hear from you:)