A Day in the Life of Artist Leah Nadeau

5:00 AM- Like clockwork, my dog wakes me up whining because he's hungry. I feed him and go back to bed. 

9:00 AM – I get up unwillingly, feeling the weight of sleep procrastination and sleep apnea hanging over me. My body feels heavy, and it’s not until around 11 AM, after my latte, that I start to feel human again. Mornings can be slow, like my heels are glued to the floor, but I know the day holds potential, so I push through it. I hate NOT being productive. I have a business to run!

I think about posting on Instagram, but instead, I get caught up in a mindless scroll, forgetting I’m supposed to be searching for trending reel audios. Social media has this way of sucking me in, but I remind myself it’s also part of my world as an artist. After about 15 minutes, I snap out of it and grab a snack—usually a string cheese or Babybel—before heading up to the studio.

Because I have ADHD, executive function can be a real challenge for me. Staying on track with tasks has always been tough—my parents knew I had ADHD when I was just 7 years old. I’m a big daydreamer, and starting a task or focusing on just one thing can feel like climbing a mountain. Sometimes I’ll get lost in social media scrolling, and before I know it, I’ve forgotten what I was supposed to be doing in the first place. Making it past the morning is always the hardest part of my day.

How Errands Inspire Creativity

I eventually make it into my studio by the time the caffeine kicks in. I usually have multiple paintings in progress, jumping from one to another depending on the mood of the day. Today, I’m keeping it simple, painting the sides of a commission black. Some days are busier than others, but it’s important to enjoy the quiet moments too. Simplicity can be satisfying.

Around 1 PM, I take my dog to the park for a walk. It’s a nice break, and as I walk, my mind wanders freely. I remember I have a prescription at Target to pick up, so I make a plan to go. There’s something about wandering through the aisles, grabbing groceries, and finding a pair of pants I that scream "cozy fall evenings" that give me a dose of joy. I always browse the frames and home décor sections, even though I know them by heart. I can’t resist checking out the new vases—I love collecting them.

But it’s not just about the errands. Walking through Target, feeling the textures of objects, seeing the colors and patterns of the latest trends, sparks little ideas that stay with me when I get back to the studio. Inspiration is everywhere, even in a simple trip to the store.

It’s More than Making art!

Once I’m home, it’s time for a quick shower, and then I get back to work. I update my website listings, put in a print order, and notice it’s the perfect time to post on Facebook. After errands I always feel productive!  I shift gears, making a post for both my creator page and business page. Facebook has always been my favorite place to engage with people about my work. The interactions feel real, like I’m connecting with my audience beyond just likes and comments. I truly feel as though my community on Facebook is one of my favorite things in the world. I'm lucky to have become friends with many of my collectors, who cheer me on daily.

After an hour of chatting with people online, it’s time for dinner. I relax with the news or catch up on a show before heading back to the studio. This quiet evening time is my sanctuary. It’s when I can let my thoughts roam without the distractions of the day. Some nights I’m painting late into the night, other times I’m just scrolling through the internet or playing a PC game to unwind. I usually do a bit of all them. 

Everyday Life Shapes My Art

I’ve come to realize that every small moment, every seemingly mundane part of my day, finds its way into my art. The fall pants I picked up at Target, the shapes and textures of vases, even the trending audio I found online—these little details all inspire my work. Social media, even when it feels like a distraction, exposes me to new aesthetics that weave themselves into my paintings.

Being an artist isn’t just about the time spent painting; it’s about living. Whether I’m walking my dog, browsing stores, or engaging with people on Facebook, every part of my day feeds my creative process. I may not finish every painting in a week, but I create steadily, letting both the physical world and the digital one influence my art.

At the end of the day, my art reflects my life—the joy, the inspiration, the frustrations, and everything in between. From the vases I collect to the ways I connect with my audience, every bit of my day makes its way into what I create. And as I navigate the balance between creativity and business, I’ve learned to embrace it all.

After all, my life, like my art, is a work in progress.

Thanks for reading! Yours in Paint,

Leah Nadeau