Amanda Mottorn
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modernjourneyer.bsky.social
Amanda Mottorn
@modernjourneyer.bsky.social
32 followers 25 following 100 posts
World Traveler, AirBnB Host, Artist, Author
https://linktr.ee/AmandaMottorn
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modernjourneyer.bsky.social
Sometimes I think I have everything I need. I forgot my palette paper. It wasn’t super cold but the rocks don’t have butt warmers. I sat on the back of a painting pad over a rock. Then I painted the forest as happy as a pea in a pod.

#MakeItWork
#naturepainting
#nature
#watercolorartist
November 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
This is a scene I paint over and over. Circus Maximus in Rome. When I did the original in 2021, it was searingly hot, sun beating on my head despite the scarf I wore on top. I was in my glory with the four panels that resulted.

#rome #italy #blueskyartist #painting
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I love painting and mixing with purple. This was my first daily painting to commit to the project. The notebook is almost full now. It’s like the season you don’t want to end. What I love about #abstractpainting is that it doesn’t have to be something. It’s freedom.

#blueskyartist #purple
November 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I created this in the start of my painting practice this spring. My notebook is almost full now. a palette knife with many prongs and circles at the end is used in green. Abstract painting is play time. The pages stuck when drying.

#blueskyartist #abstractpainting #creativeplay #paintingpractice
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 AM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I had another participant, Kera in my Creative Play for Adults workshop, Pittsburgh-based. I created this class from struggling with years of self-doubt and finding my own self-acceptance through creativity & travel, my vision in supporting others.

#creativity #blueskyartist #selfacceptance
This is a picture of Kera, a woman who took part in my Creative Play for Adults workshop. Rather than producing a result it’s about letting go of perfection and embracing possibility through creativity, painting in this instance.
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
This is Sharon MacKinnon’s painting whom I had the pleasure of learning from in her Paint Free, Paint Loose, Paint You course. I met her on Instagram through a mutual art connection. So of course I drove the 6 1/2 hours to Midland, Ontario.

#Canadian #blueskyartist #painting
Sharon MacKinnon painting of Mixed Media with a threatening sky and red cliffs high up with pine trees at the top colored front bluish-green to magenta by the light perhaps of orange light. Dots of a dark aqua, orange and yellow play about the painting.
November 9, 2025 at 12:41 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
This is another watercolor painting I did at the lake.
November 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
Very excited about my first participant earlier this week! Feedback from Mani. My next one is this afternoon after my Toastmasters Club meeting. Yay!

#trysomethingnew #feedback #reviews #selfacceptance #blueskyart
November 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
#paintingoftheday #woodlands #autumn #blueskyartist
A painting on a bright blue sky day of the side of a hill with moss covered rocks stacking below trees with autumn colored leaves orange, yellow, red and brown on the ground. A creek flows between the fallen leaves
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 AM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I made 2 paintings, this was the first with 30 minutes before I had to leave the lake. I was going to fix it with charcoal pencil but it’s growing on me just like this.

#paintingpractice #dailypainting #blueskyart
November 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
This is the second painting from Saturday night. The joys of painting at dusk are the surprises you see when you’re back home. The colors you couldn’t quite see, the way the brush strokes blended with the water spray and nature’s beauty reflected on the paper.

#blueskyartist #nature #waterviews
November 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
close your eyes and imagine this. A splash in the water. The ring of waves form around it lapsing out. The call from a flock of geese flying overhead, their joyous calls to each other. Complete darkness came after I finished the second painting.

#paintingpractice #blueskyartist
November 3, 2025 at 11:55 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
It was sunset Saturday night, my favorite time of day to paint. No time to obsess just get the shapes and colors down and stay in the moment not think just feel and listen and go.

#outside #nature #sunset #blueskyartist #meditation
November 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
A weekend ago my sister, a cancer survivor surprised me with participating in a fundraiser for Hearts of Steel Pittsburgh Dragon Boat team. It was great fun. www.heartsofsteelpittsburgh.org

#survivors #cancerresearch #dragonboat
The three winning ducks for the Hearts of Steel Pittsburgh Dragon Boat team of women breast cancer survivors. This was a fundraising event. This is a team that feels - “When we celebrate our birthdays, we’re excited about turning 62.” One yellow duck floating downstream with a Hearts of Steel Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Team member off to the side. My sister waiting for the last ducks that floated past the finish line. She speaks of what it means to be on the team: “One woman had a similar complication to mine. It really helped having someone to talk to who understood.” Hearts of Steel Pittsburgh Dragon Boat team members with one duck floating downstream to raise money for breast cancer survivors who want the camaraderie of other breast cancer survivors but can’t afford the dragon boat fees, apparel and equipment costs.
November 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I’m excited about promoting a small limited space workshop called Creative Play for Adults within my Toastmasters community. The venue I was going to use fell through. After a series of phone calls and a short hike, I pivoted and sent out a take 2 to my four early adopters. #pivot #playtime #create
October 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I went to Keystone Lake State Park and this watercolor with charcoal came to life. I’m not sure how long it took except I enjoyed the process. I painted it to use as a big birthday card for a longtime friend turning 53 today. #birthdays #landscapepaintings #thelake #blueskyartist
Landscape watercolor painted on location in the fall at keystone lake state park. A bridge crosses the lake and a hillside of pines and trees with a few orange leaves remain at their tops.
October 27, 2025 at 9:54 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
Did you know there’s a Pittsburgh Chocolate and Coffee Festival this weekend? My upcoming mother-and-daughter AirBnB guests informed me!

#pittsburghstay #pittsburgh #airbnb #chocolate #motheranddaughter
October 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
The calm after stormy weather! What is it for you?

#ModernJourneyer #dailypainting #blueskyartist #dreamy #nature #abstractpainting
Dreamy abstract painting with yellow, Magenta, filled with predominantly bled and green brush strokes.
October 24, 2025 at 11:40 AM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
#dailypainting quick, don’t think. Take inspiration actions. #blueskypainter #blueskyartist
Painting of the day made with watercolors. Following intuition without thinking.
October 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I wrote this episode about my need for play and hitting the reset button. Play for me is about discovery: the intersection of traveling & art.

#travel #ontario #discovery #artists
amandamottornartist.substack.com/p/playtime-a...
Playtime Adventurer
When Travel Meets Art
amandamottornartist.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
This sign is for adults, too. Especially the adults.
A sign at a Children’s park that says stop and play.
October 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I took these on a walk along Midland Harbor, Ontario.
October 18, 2025 at 1:06 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
I drove from Pittsburgh to Midland, Ontario to take a class with Sharon MacKinnon. We met when she reached out to me about a mutual contact. I looked at her profile on Instagram and loved what she shared and all of her tips. This is one of the results from that class.
An acrylic painting with lotus flowers.
October 18, 2025 at 1:03 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
One year of hosting travelers in Pittsburgh — thank you, Airbnb guests, for turning stays into stories and helping me in fulfilling my dream.

#AirbnbHost #Pittsburgh #TravelCommunity #InspiredStays #OneYearAnniversary
Thank you AirBnB guests Thank you to Sarah my first repeat guest in marking the one year anniversary. Reasons to come to Pittsburgh- nature lover, art lover, business conference, family trip, annual trip Come stay with me at 1932 Artist Bungalow with shared spaces in the house, private room and conversation with the artist in residence
October 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
modernjourneyer.bsky.social
New episode dropped from what it means to be a multi-passionate entrepreneur.

#authenticliving #trustit #gratitude

open.substack.com/pub/amandamo...
Perfect Imperfection
My sister and I flew to California for the long weekend.
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October 14, 2025 at 8:38 PM