The Driving Force Behind My Business and Why I Write This Blog

Over the last almost 14 years I’ve blogged my way through growth and development as an artist and as a person.

business, bloggingAnne ButeraApril 13, 2024blogging, why I blog, why i write a blog, my newsletter, why I write a newsletter, The Joy Letter, Instigating Creativity and Joy, my creative journey, blogs, creativity, the why behind my business Comments

Beginning the New Year with Stillness and Returning to My Creative Self

All week I’ve been thinking about what I want to share in my first post of 2024.

life, seasons, creativityAnne ButeraJanuary 13, 2024New Year, easing into the new year, beginning the new year with stillness, returning to creativity, returning to myself, studio, nature, inspiration from the garden, inspiration from the winter garden, observing nature, creativity, reclaiming creativity, reclaiming inspiration Comments

Is Perfection Possible? Contemplating Simple Shifts in Business, Art and Life

When I was first starting to learn to make art I thought that if only I could discover the perfect art supplies, I’d be able to create the beautiful, perfect art I imagined in my head.

business, life, artAnne ButeraApril 8, 2023perfect schedule, creative schedules, art work balance, life work balance, creativity, art supplies, choosing art supplies, learning how to make art, learning to paint, Artist Dates, Searching for Perfection, Is perfection possible?, Is there a perfect schedule?, simple shifts to make life easier Comments

Let's Talk Creativity: What's Your Story? Join in 2023's First Reader Conversation

If I were to ask you, “Are you an artist?” What would your answer be?

Would the question make you feel uncomfortable?

creativity, Reader ConversationsAnne ButeraMarch 11, 2023reader conversations, creativity, creative journeys, sharing our stories, sharing inspiration Comments

Focus on Gratitude in December: Thankful for Art and Creativity (and a Giveaway!)

“In the pocket of her jacket, Aunt Edna found a small sable brush, and throughout dinner she repeatedly dipped it in her water glass and drew…. upon her absorbent napkin.”

Listen to Yourself: a Reminder of the Importance of Rest and Self-Care

My blogging calendar has a different post scheduled for today, but I came down with a bad head cold this week and that other post didn’t get written.

inspiration, creativity, lifeAnne ButeraOctober 22, 2022creativity, self-care, recommit to self-care, creative self-care, being present as self-care, prioritizing self-care, rest, rest increases creative energy, prioritizing rest, making time for rest, time off, taking time for yourself Comments

What if You Don't Feel Like Creating? How to Handle Creative Slumps

Your materials are gathered. You have time. You have a space to work. But when you sit down to create… nothing.

creativityAnne ButeraApril 30, 2022creative slumps, ebb and flow, creativity, creative ebbs, creative blocks, how to handle creative blocks, how to handle creative slumps, what if you don't feel like creating, rest, creative cycle, treating yourself with grace Comments

New Beginnings: 10 Ideas for Welcoming a Changing Season and Embracing Your Dreams

September is here and I’m relishing the seasonal shifts.

You Can't Do Everything (and Why That's Not a Bad Thing)

Piles of fabric line a shelf in my studio closet. Sewing patterns fill a drawer. I love wearing handmade clothing. I love to sew. Most of my fabric has been matched up with sewing patterns — some bought especially for specific projects — but it’s been a year or more since I’ve done any sewing.

Why I've Stepped Away from Instagram: My Problems with Social Media

It’s been a busy week. Our warm spring weather disappeared, replaced by dark dreary days. We even had a couple of mornings of snow. Not unusual for Wisconsin and I haven’t minded. I have lots of projects I’m working on in my studio.

Why Protecting Creative Time and Space is So Important for Your Creativity

Today I was supposed to be wrapping up the Get Re-Inspired Creative Retreat. I planned to share my finished papier-mache pieces and sum up the lessons I learned over the course of the month.

But as this week approached, I realized I wasn’t finished with the retreat. So I’m giving it one more week.

art, creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraMarch 26, 2021carving out time for creativity, creativity, protecting creative time and space, reclaiming creativity, reclaiming inspiration, March Creative Retreat, patience, practicing patience, going slow, skillshare Comments

Five Beautiful Books That Are Inspiring Me During The Creative Retreat

Sun streams in through the window and I curl up on a comfy chair in my studio, a book balanced on my lap.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

In reality…

Five Things You Can Do Right Now to Boost Your Inspiration

When you hear the words “Creative Retreat” what do they bring to mind? Perhaps you envision a cabin in the woods, light streaming through the windows and a fire crackling in the hearth.

creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraMarch 12, 2021Creative Retreat, March Creative Retreat, creativity, inspiration, doing something different, flipping your schedule, being in nature, get organized, studio, messiness of life, discovering inspiration, where does inspiration come from Comments

Why I Love Valentine's Day Plus an Invitation to Creative Self-Care

I love Valentine’s Day. It’s probably not cool to admit this, but I do.

Looking Back and Connecting the Dots of our Journeys

Back in December Abby Glassenberg interviewed me for the Craft Industry Alliance Podcast. Our conversation aired this week.

art, creativity, lifeAnne ButeraJanuary 22, 2021about me, podcasts, Abby Glassenberg, Craft Industry Alliance, creative journeys, looking back, looking forward, creativity, childhood Comments

10 Lessons from 10 Years of Learning How to Paint

You’ve quieted your mind and listened to the whispers. Your heart longs to learn something new, to be creative, to craft a different life.

Now what?

art, creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraNovember 13, 2020advice for artists, creative advice, 10 years of learning to paint, 10 years of watercolor painting, 10 years of learning watercolor, creativity, creative doubts, creative inspiration, Creativebug, skillshare, developing a creative habit, Elizabeth Gilbert, Georgia O'Keeffe, Vincent van Gogh, joy, enjoy the process, being a beginner, give yourself time to be a beginner, advice for creatives, Let creativity take over your life, have fun, enjoy yourself, enjoy creativity, enjoy creating, creative challenges, creative classes, creative community, focus, Lilla Rogers, development as an artist, developing as an artist, creative dreams, creative development, 10 Year Painting Celebration, 10 Years of Learning How to Paint, How to take your art to the next level, 10 year painting celebration, popular posts Comments

10 Year Painting Celebration: Nudging You Toward Your Dreams

My heart raced and I held my breath. I felt a flutter in my stomach as I sat down with a set of watercolors, some paper and a brush to paint for the first time.