These are my favorite days, dividing my time between my studio and my garden.

I’ve been unplugging as much as possible. And it feels good to be so focused. I’ve fallen in love, again, with my art. There’s so much to paint! Some flowers come and go in the blink of an eye.

This painting of a tulip, dandelions and wild violets is from earlier this spring (all are now finished blooming), but it never felt right to me. This week I added the butterfly.

A watercolor painting of a red tulip, dandelions and wild violets by Anne Butera

And now I like it so much better.

I’ve been taking my time. Letting the paintings sit. Coming back and adding details here or there. I don’t usually work like this, but it feels good. I’ve also been working on more than one painting at once. When I update my shop in July with my spring painting collection, I’ll have lots to include.

Things are coming along in my garden. Growing. Blooming.

The early June garden is already bountiful

It demands I pay attention. Savor the ephemeral joys (because once they’re done, they won’t be back until next year).

This week I harvested chive flowers for infusing in vinegar.

Harvesting Chive Flowers to Infuse Vinegar

I’ve also been using them instead of onions in green salads, egg salad, tuna salad. I brought some up to my studio to paint (and left plenty in the garden for the bees).

working on a painting of clematis, chives and catmint with a kitty helper

Whereas in the garden at least one dog is usually keeping me company, in my studio I usually have at least one cat. Quin likes lounging on my table or in one of the windows when he’s not demanding I pet him or drinking paint water. Pepper likes to bite the flowers I’m painting. Or in the case of the catmint for the painting above, grab them and run away.

This year’s spinach is growing better than ever, even though the squirrels have repeatedly dug up the bed it’s in.

a cinder block raised bed is home to a mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables

In the same bed is my tiny peach tree (you can just see it on the right above). Remember its beautiful pink flowers? They’ve become fuzzy silver peaches and are growing bigger every day!

I also spotted the first red strawberry this week.

wild strawberries grow in the holes of the cinder blocks I used for the edging of my raised beds

The self-seeded violas popping up in the gravel and the cracks in the patio bring me so much joy. I love noticing all the variations of color, size and pattern.

A rainbow of self-seeded violas growing in gravel and cracks in the patio

It’s only a matter of time till I paint them, too.

Something else I want to paint this year:

Foxgloves, lamium and geraniums in my garden

Foxgloves. There are always flowers I don’t get around to painting and foxgloves have eluded me these past few years. I’ve never painted them.

I have a bit more work to do on these clematis paintings and then I’ll wash my palette and move on to the next flowers. Maybe one of them will be a foxglove. (And don’t worry, I’ll keep them safely out of the cats’ reach).

Working on watercolor paintings of the two varieties of clematis growing in my garden

In addition to color, painting inspiration and sustenance, I’m finding joy in the scents in my garden. Flowers, herbs and my little collection of scented geraniums have me touring my garden with my nose.

Another view of my early June garden — a combination of containers, raised beds and in-ground beds

Although saying “stop and smell the roses” is a bit of a cliche, it’s a good reminder to be present. To pay attention. To take time to truly notice all the beauties around me.

The Above and Beyond rose is just beginning to bloom

With the continued heaviness in our world, I am ever grateful for my garden. And my paintings.

I hope you have been able to find your joy, too.

Paint. Garden. Repeat.