notes from the studio
Seasons, Stories and New Calendars
The season is shifting. Each day I notice something new. The angle of light. The colors of falling leaves. The sound of geese calling as they begin their journeys. I try to stay connected to the seasons. As a gardener, the wheel of the year directs so much of what I do. As a botanical artist, my inspiration is tied to nature and its cycles.
12 Years of Calendars: a Record of My Journey and Inspiration to Keep Dreaming
As we near the end of 2024, I can’t help but feel reflective. I look back at the year, the projects I’ve tackled, the goals I’ve accomplished, and I begin dreaming about 2025.
Inspired by Houseplants New Pattern Designs and a Tea Towel Calendar for 2023
Fall is here for real now. One of the things I like best about fall is the way my attention shifts to my houseplants when the weather gets too cold to be outside. You can see it in my art, too.
2022 Watercolor Calendars: Looking Back at 9 Years of Calendars and Dreaming Big Dreams
Last month I wrote about how creating a tea towel calendar has become a yearly tradition for me*, but it’s not the only tradition for my art.
This is the 9th year I’ve created a desk calendar with my seasonal watercolor paintings.
Vining Clematis and Painted Lady Butterflies: Garden Delight for the 2022 Tea Towel Calendar
Designing a tea towel calendar each year has become a tradition for me. This is the 6th year I’ve created one.
Calendars are Here! (And a Pep Talk)
Back in 2011 I had a dream to create a calendar with my art.* Two years later I was finally able to do it. Every year since then I’ve designed a calendar with new paintings. It’s one of my favorite projects.
I think I say it every year, but this calendar is my favorite!
On Dreaming Big
When I first started writing a blog and named it My Giant Strawberry one of the things that appealed to me about that name was how it spoke of my big dreams. Back then I had a lot of dreams, but I never imagined I would begin painting or that painting would become a main focus for me.
Allowing The Change (And New Calendars)
I’ve been thinking a lot about change lately. In part with the changing of the seasons as I wrote last week, but also because change seems to be all around.
Isn’t it always?