Joyful Companions: Looking Back at 16 Years of Dogs in the Garden

My main intention with my blog is to encourage and inspire you. To discover beauty. To look for joy. To embrace your creativity.

garden, joy, lifeAnne ButeraApril 9, 2021dogs, dogs in the garden, rescue dogs, greyhounds, rescued greyhounds, retired racing greyhounds, Siberian Huskies, Pitbull mix, rescued pitbull mix, gardening, gardens, about me, in my garden, my gardens Comments

Why Joy and Play Will Continue as Part of My Creative Practice

The Get Re-Inspired Creative Retreat is now over. I’m not sure if it ended up being what I planned, but it was nurturing, fun and I learned a lot.

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

An Invitation to Join Me in the Get Re-Inspired Creative Retreat

On February 16 before I did anything else in my studio, I sat down and worked on a page in my sketchbook. Since then I’ve started every workday with sketchbook play and have only missed one non-work day because of a migraine.

art, creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraMarch 5, 2021Creative Retreat, March Creative Retreat, get inspired, get re-inspired, join me in creativity, how to be more creative, how to be more inspired, how to be creative, how to make room in your days for creativity, sketchbook, daily art making, daily creativity, be creative every day Comments

Shake Up Your Self-Care and Recommit to What Truly Brings You Joy

Back in November I vowed to fall in love with winter. And I did, for a while.

Pursuing Curiosity: Using Art Books for Inspiration and Self-Care

When I was 16, a newly-minted driver’s license in my wallet, where did I go on my first solo drive?

books, inspiration, lifeAnne ButeraFebruary 19, 2021books, inspiration, Inspiration Deck, Skillshare classes, self-care, self care, joy, about me 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.

Are You an Artist? Writing an Artist's Manifesto

The shop was a jumble of art, jewelry and funky secondhand furniture. Although the town’s population was tiny, it was crowded with people attending the local art festival. I browsed, more curious about what was for sale than because I wanted to purchase anything.

Winter Joy: How to Choose and Order Seeds for a Successful Garden

The wind shrieks a puff of snow off the roof and as I step outside the storm door shatters an icicle onto the stairs.

gardenAnne ButeraJanuary 29, 2021gardening, garden planning, ordering seeds, how to choose and order seeds, growing a successful garden, seed sowing plan, seeds, garden plans, deciding what to grow, seed companies, favorite mail order seed companies, favorite online seed companies, favorite seed catalogs Comments

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

Simplifying: Goals, Intentions and Planning My Year

I sit at my table with a steaming mug of earl grey beside me. The table is strewn with notebooks and lists and calendars. My pen is poised to write, but I’m having trouble adding anything to the page.

creativity, lifeAnne ButeraJanuary 15, 2021planning, planning for the year, tips for goal setting, setting intentions, January, January 2021 Comments

Choosing a Word for the New Year

I just got back from my long morning walk with Clara. It feels good. To be out in the winter mornings. To notice the changing landscape.

life, seasonsAnne ButeraJanuary 8, 2021word of the year, planning for the year, new year, welcoming the new year, overcoming anxiety, dealing with anxiety, anxiety, winter, embracing winter, loving winter, beauty Comments

Sips of Inspiration: an Interview with Karen Lowry Reed

Today’s Sips of Inspiration conversation is with my long-time blogging friend Karen Lowry Reed.

Shift Your Perspective and Recommit to Your Heart

I stumbled into my shoes, pulling on my hat and coat before rushing two wagging dogs out the door.

I was still wearing my nightshirt.

I wasn’t wearing any socks.

I hadn’t even put on my glasses.

Art by Other Artists in My Studio: a Partial Studio Tour

I’ve been wanting to show you around my studio but instead of giving a full tour, today I’m sharing one corner where I’ve collected art from other artists.