Life, a Little Art, and a Lot of Catching Up
October 28, 2026
It's good to be back!
After spending much of the past couple of months traveling back and forth to California to be with my daughter during a serious medical emergency, I'm happy to share that she's finally on the mend. It's been a long road, and while there's still some healing ahead, things are looking much brighter.
California offered some beautiful scenery along the way, and I managed to find a few moments to enjoy it. I even found a little time to be creative. Art has a funny way of finding its way into just about any situation, doesn't it?
While spending time at the hospital, I created some stickers to share with other patients who, like my daughter, were using wound VAC machines to help with their recovery. I donated them to the hospital, and it's been wonderful hearing how much others have enjoyed them. Sometimes even the smallest things—like a funny little three-inch sticker—can bring a smile during a difficult time.
For me, creativity isn't always about making something beautiful to hang on a wall. It can also be about finding a small way to brighten someone else's day.
Before I dive into what's happening around the Island, I want to say thank you.
To everyone who reached out with texts, emails, prayers, positive thoughts, and encouraging words—thank you. I've also had several people stop by Evoke to ask about my column, including a few who came in simply to tell me how much they enjoyed reading my articles and how much they'd missed them. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. And a special thank you to the wonderful Jeanne Pasch who stepped in to open Evoke for a day while I was away. Knowing the gallery was in good hands and that our visitors would be welcomed with a familiar, friendly face meant so much to me. I truly appreciate you!
After nearly two years of writing The Art of Island Life every week, I'm making a little adjustment. Life is keeping me on my toes these days, and my schedule may be a little unpredictable for a while. So going forward, I'll be sharing my stories once or twice a month. There are still plenty of stories to tell, interesting people to meet, and things happening in our community that deserve a little attention. And I look forward to sharing them with you!
And speaking of things happening around the Island, I certainly didn't have to look far to get back into the swing of things!
Good Food, Good Company
Taste of the Island was a wonderful way to jump back into our community. What a great evening celebrating the restaurants, chefs, and businesses that make our local dining scene so interesting.
There were so many delicious things to sample, familiar favorites to revisit, and a few exciting newcomers to discover. One I'm particularly excited about is Lizyrd's, a new restaurant concept currently looking for a place to call home right here on the Island.
A fun fact: Artist Wade Koniakowsky and I had the pleasure of collaborating on the logo and illustrations for the restaurant, so I've had a little behind-the-scenes look at what's coming.
It's been a fun creative project, and I'm looking forward to seeing it all come together!
With the holidays approaching, plans are already underway for the return of our Shop Small Saturday Crawl and Island BINGO on Saturday, November 28!
If you participated last year, you know how much fun we had. Local businesses came together to encourage everyone to explore, shop, and discover places they may not have visited before. Shoppers collected their BINGO stamps as they made their way around the Island, and those who completed their cards qualified for our grand prize drawing.
It was such a hit that we're bringing it back for another round on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
We're currently gathering participating businesses and putting the details together now, so stay tuned. There will be more information to share as we get closer.
In the meantime, mark your calendar for Saturday, November 7, from 5–8 p.m., when Evoke will be making a pop-up appearance at the Lively Beach Market on the resort property located at 138 Zahn Rd.
If you haven't yet experienced this market, it's a fun way to spend an evening. You'll find live music, good food, and great local vendors offering everything from clothing and jewelry to handmade gifts and other interesting finds. And I have to mention the fresh lemonade. It was worth the visit all on its own!
There's even a friendly pet pig who occasionally makes an appearance. How many shopping excursions include the possibility of making friends with a pig? And she's absolutely adorable.
I'll be bringing along something to our pop-up that I've been working on for quite a while—the area's first miniature fine art vending machine!
This little idea has been on the back burner for close to two years, and it was absolutely worth the wait. For just four quarters, you can take home a miniature collector's edition print of original artwork. And here's a little twist—hidden among each batch of prints is one original piece of art, randomly tucked in for one lucky collector to discover. I've also scattered a few special Christmas designs throughout the collection, just in time for the holidays.
This machine is a little nostalgic, a little unexpected, and a whole lot of fun. So don't forget to bring your quarters. If you don't have any, don't worry—I've stocked up.
A Little of This, a Little of That
I'm grateful to be home, grateful that my daughter is recovering, and grateful for the opportunity to return to the people, places, and creative projects that are such a big part of my life.
I may have been away, but my creative wheels certainly haven't stopped turning! I've been expanding Evoke's online shopping experience, adding new products and online exclusives that aren't available in the gallery—including this beautiful woven blanket featuring one of my original designs.
It's been fun finding new ways to share my artwork beyond the Island.
And I've also been packing Pretty in Print Parcels and filling other orders.
I have a few more things in the works, several stories waiting to be told, and a calendar that's already filling up again.
I'm looking forward to it all—and perhaps having a little more time to simply enjoy the moments that make Island life worth writing about in the first place.
It's good to be home.
(This is the view that greeted me at Whitecap Beach the morning after I returned... Just wow.)
The Art of Island Life will return next month with more stories and coastal reflections.
Have a story to share, a cause close to your heart, or something you've read here that resonated with you? I'd love to hear from you at contact@melissamitchellart.com.
14646 Compass Street, Suite 10
The Island—Corpus Christi, Texas 78418
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 11a-4p
Friday & Saturday: 12p-4p
Closed Sunday & Monday
After-hours private shopping appointments may be arranged upon request, based on schedule availability.
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