Sketching Group visits Elk River, MN

My last post was an invitation to the Twin Cities Urban Sketchers group to Elk River, one of my favorite spots to sketch. They did a great job sharing the invite via their Facebook group and blog. I invited my circle of creative people to try something new. With our combined efforts, there was a pretty good showing of 'sketchy people'. 

Matt Blythe

Heather Hultgren, Heatherhultgren.com, IG:@h.hulgren.art

Rain was predicted, so I reached out to several downtown Elk River businesses to see if they would be willing to share their indoor space with our sketchers. Most graciously,  Katie from Thumbs Up offered her space to our group. I also talked with several restaurants to see if they would be welcoming to our people coming in to sketch if the rain became an issue. A big thanks to The Edge Bar + Boutique, McCoy's Pub, and Sunshine Depot for being welcoming. I encourage our group to make a purchase if they are to draw inside the restaurants or use the facilities. If our artist did not want to make a purchase, Thumbs Up was a great location for our sketchers. 

Jewel A, IG: @jewelraesundae

Kathy Fenske, IG: @kefenske

To start with, we gathered at the Rivers Edge Commons park. As the host, I welcomed everyone and explained the rain-day options. There were some new sketchers, so it was really beneficial that Heather Hultgren was prepared to share the history of Urban Sketchers. Another person who showed up was Jim Boyle, editor from the Star News. Jim is a wonderful asset to our community and covers all the happenings in Elk River and the surrounding area. It was fun to watch him in action, interviewing and capturing the moments with his camera. I'll add his story here once it is posted. 

Joel David Abramson, author of Dog Garage Sale

Joel David Abramson

I'm a newer member of the group, but I love how people get started. Some people opened their chairs on the spot and started sketching. Others started walking the small area of Elk River's downtown to hunt for the perfect spot. I saw some of the more practiced sketchers move around like little butterflies, creating quick sketches and starting a story about the day and the location in their sketchbook. 

Donna Turner

Deanna Sloan Janiak

It did indeed start raining. One of the things Mr. Boyle mentioned to me was how adaptable our group was. That is so true; this group can roll with a little weather. They can adapt to the space, make decisions, and roll with it. One person mentioned that I had set the bar high for hosting other events... but that is not true. Elk River is a welcoming community, and I lucked out with some generous business owners. The inside space and facilities are not necessary to host a sketch... really, all that is required is an idea of a time and place. This group will make it work... no matter what 'it' is. 

Chen May Yee IG: @Mayyee.chen

Alyssa Nelson

At the end of our sketch time, we gathered for the 'throwdown'. This is a time when everyone puts the sketchbooks down, and we all look and learn from one another. It's a great way to wrap up the event. This will go down as one of my favorite Halloween activities. It was fun to host, and I'm glad to have found people to share this passion for drawing, painting, and creating with. 

You're invited to a Halloween Sketch

I'm so excited to host my very first sketch with the Urban Sketch Twin Cities group. We will be meeting on Oct. 31, 2026. Head on over to Facebook to sign yourself up for this free event!

Everyone is welcome to join the Twin Cities Urban Sketchers for a Halloween-themed sketch. We will gather at Rivers Edge Commons, located at 679 Main Street in downtown Elk River, at 11 AM. There will be a “throwdown” at 2 PM at the same location. A throwdown is an opportunity to share your sketchbooks and celebrate each other's drawings and paintings.

What do you need: 

• A sketchbook
• Drawing/Painting tools
• A chair (optional)

Free street parking is available, along with several nearby parking lots. There are also various restaurants in the downtown area. Additionally, free porta-potties will be on site, and many businesses have bathroom facilities. We kindly ask that you support our local businesses with a small purchase when using their restrooms.

Largest Parking lot: The King Avenue parking lot does not have a formal street address; it is located adjacent to King Avenue NW and Main Street NW next to Rivers Edge Commons Park (near 679 Main St. NW, Elk River, MN 55330) in downtown Elk River.

Restaurants in downtown Elk River

See Links below

This is a safe space for everyone to explore their artistic hobby. We welcome urban sketchers, students, art educators, artists, and anyone who wants to join! Costumes are optional. 

Goal or Soul? Finding Balance in a New Creative Chapter

As I’ve been navigating this new empty-nest season and settling back into the rhythm of MiniMatisse, I’ve found myself asking some big questions. We spend so much of our lives chasing deadlines, lesson plans, and milestones. But somewhere along the way, we have to pause and ask: Are we chasing a goal, or are we feeding our soul?

I recently put together a short vlog exploring this exact thought—how we balance the drive to achieve with the deep, quiet need to simply create for its own sake.

I'm just working on finding myself, feeding my soul, and staying connected.

This is my 'why', and the purpose of this blog. I'm grateful to have found my focus again and will continue to adjust along the way.

Nic

Sweet Treats and Studio Sweets: Fun Art & Baking Projects from Home

2026 Halloween Cookies

Hello again, friends!

As I’ve been settling into this new rhythm of an empty nest and diving back into the creative life here at MiniMatisse, one thing has become abundantly clear: my art studio sometimes is my kitchen.

While I've been loving sharing classroom art education ideas and exploring the world of urban sketching, my Art Home Projects & Studio Life pillar is really where I get to play with everyday creativity. Lately, that has translated into some fun, hands-on decorating projects right in my own kitchen—combining sweet treats with artistic detail!

I’ve put together a series of quick, bite-sized YouTube Shorts showing how I bring these little creative visions to life. If you are looking for a fun weekend project or just need a quick dose of inspiration, check out these shorts over on my YouTube channel.

1. Spooky-Cute Spider Cookies

Get into the festive spirit with these fun, easy-to-decorate spider cookies! Perfect for a seasonal gathering or just a playful afternoon in the kitchen.
👉 Watch the Spider Cookie Short on YouTube

2. Classic Painted Pumpkin Cookies

There is something so satisfying about getting the icing details just right on a classic autumn shape. Watch how these pumpkins come together layer by layer!
👉 Watch the Pumpkin Cookie Short on YouTube

3. Fluttering Bat Cookies

Simple outlines and dark details make these bat cookies a fun, striking project for any cookie artist.
👉 Watch the Bat Cookie Short on YouTube

4. Spooky Ghost Cookies

You can never have too many friendly ghosts! See how a few simple icing flood techniques bring these little spooks to life.
👉 Watch the Ghost Cookie Short on YouTube

5. Fun Witches Hat Cookies

Catch more behind-the-scenes decorating fun and creative troubleshooting right from my home workspace!
👉 Watch the Studio Short on YouTube

Creating things in my own space—whether it's sketching on location or decorating cookies in the kitchen—has been such a wonderful way to feed my soul during this new chapter. Bonus, I was able to send these cookies off in a 'cookie kit' to my college kiddos.

Head over to YouTube, watch these shorts, and give a 'like' to your favorite design.

Warmly,

Nic

Hello Again: Empty Nests, New Chapters, and What Feeds the Soul

It’s been a minute—four years, to be exact! My last post here was back in 2022, and a whole lot of life has happened since then.

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know this space was born out of my passion for art education, classroom adventures, and creative projects. But life shifts, kids grow up (hello, college!), and suddenly you find yourself looking around a much quieter house.

I am officially a newly empty nester.

With that big life milestone comes a lot of quiet time to think, reflect, and ask myself the big questions: What are my goals? What truly feeds my soul?

Reconnecting and Reintroducing

Being out of the traditional art classroom for the past five years has left me missing something vital: community. I miss the energy, the shared ideas, and the daily camaraderie of fellow educators. I’ve missed you.

At the same time, life is giving me the space to explore brand-new creative communities. Recently, I’ve found myself diving headfirst into the world of Urban Sketchers—learning to slow down, observe my surroundings, and capture real life on paper out in the wild. It’s been an incredible, humbling, and refreshing way to meet new artists and see the world through a different lens.

What’s Next for MiniMatisse?

So, what does this next chapter look like? Moving forward, this blog will be a reflection of my evolving creative life. You’ll see a mix of three main pillars here:

1. Art Education: Tried-and-true lessons, bite-sized video tips, and resources for teachers who want to bring more joy and structure into their art rooms.

2. Urban Sketching: My personal journey exploring urban sketching, sketchbook practices, and tips for drawing on location.

3. Art Home Projects & Studio Life: Creative things I'm making in my own space, DIY inspiration, and the quiet joys of a creative home.

Whether you are a longtime teacher friend who has been here for years or a new fellow sketcher just stopping by, I am so glad you're here.

Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's get to know each other again.