This month I went home to California for the first time in a while.

I called it my "artist retreat." Away from my studio and my normal routines, I tried to reconnect with the images that make me stop and pay attention.

I came home with dozens of photographs of what I'm beginning to think of as small moments of abundanceTomatoes showing off at a summer market, light filtering through trees, and cats lazing in the afternoon sun.

I'm excited to see what they become.

Tiny gods

I have a suspicion that I'll be painting more cats.

While I was home, I found myself staring at them. They're endlessly entertaining, of course, but mainly there was a deep peace to to them—unhurried and unbothered—that also led me to calm.

Here's an early study that's come out of that trip.

One of my favorite cat paintings, Quiet Morning, Miami (2025), also found a new home this month. It feels like an invitation to keep following this thread.

The Dream tee

After a lot of research, I finally found a way to produce the Dream tee that felt true to the project. It's printed on demand so nothing is overproduced, and I've kept my margin intentionally small because my goal wasn't to build a clothing brand, but to make a piece people could not just live with, but live in.
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If you do choose to get this piece I would be grateful for a picture of you sporting it 💙

Year of the Horse, continued

As the year blazes on, I continue to feel busy in the Year of the Horse energy—but I've been strangely comforted by the influx of "It's not just you."

The Year of the Horse print and its companion essay was meant to be a small reminder that we're all moving through this season together. There's still a few left of the signed and numbered edition of 75, and many people have told me they've gifted it to friends who needed the talisman as much as they did.

Where the work is right now

I still have three pieces included in ARRAE Gallery's Volume III, on view through August 8. One of the things I admire about ARRAE is its mission to make fine art feel more approachable—it's a delightful space to be in.

The three pieces at ARRAE, below:

If something in this letter resonates with you—whether it's a painting, a print, or simply a thought—please reply. Those conversations are one of my favorite parts of sending these letters.

If this letter was forwarded to you and you'd like to receive future studio notes, you can subscribe here.

And if you know someone who might enjoy these small moments of abundance too, I'd be grateful if you passed this letter along.

— Austin 💙

​@austinlan.art​

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