Hello, Subscriber First Name,

How are you? I hope you are well and safe.

I’ll admit I’ve been struggling with what to say to you this month. I’m struggling with my thoughts and feelings.

The ritual of turning my calendar page and including it in these notes is one I usually don’t think much about, other than to consider my intentions and hopes and aspirations for the month.

As I turned the page to June I thought about what a hard year it’s been. It’s almost time for me to create my 2021 calendars and in some ways it feels strange to think about next year when there is so much uncertainty in the world right now. Creating my calendars is always a joy-filled and hopeful process. A celebration of botanical beauty and an act of hope for the coming year.

This morning I recorded an upcoming Sips of Inspiration interview and as I chatted with my guest I was inspired and uplifted. It felt good to hear her story and to laugh with her and to be reminded of all the good in our world, to once more feel hopeful.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

The purpose of these monthly notes is to spread joy and to inspire, but I can’t write to you without acknowledging what’s going on in my country right now. I’m having trouble finding the joy and the inspiration. I’m horrified by George Floyd’s murder, that police brutality continues to happen here again and again. I’m appalled by the president’s actions (again and again). I’ve been realizing how naive I am. How much I don’t understand. How much I take for granted and assume. I’ve been reading and thinking and listening and writing and reading and figuring out what I can do. I am stepping back and taking time to be open. To be uncomfortable.

I am not here to direct your thoughts or actions; I rarely talk about politics here. But if you’re struggling, too, I’m sending love. And instead of continuing to stay silent, I’m showing up in your inbox this month encouraging you to continue to look for (or create!) joy, not in an effort to pretend everything is ok, but because joy exists even in the ugliness. I believe (even if at times shakily) we can make the world a better place.

“Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”

—Emma Lazarus

Some inspiration:

• My garden is the greatest source of joy (and of solace) for me right now. Even if I’m not in the garden I never tire of thinking about gardens, reading about gardens or looking at them. Pinehouse Edible Gardens is probably my favorite garden Instagram account. Leslie Bennet’s company website is also gorgeous and inspiring as is the book she coauthored (though it makes me see all the flaws in my own garden!).

• You may know that before I started painting, crochet was one of my main creative outlets. I still enjoy it (and even still have a small Etsy shop of patterns). I’ve mentioned before that I’m always on the lookout for beautiful crochet patterns. I bought this one and some lovely yarn for it last winter (now if only my cats would let me get my yarn out!). Last month I was delighted to listen to an interview with Toni Lipsey the designer behind TL Yarn Crafts and was enchanted by her story. Her message on Instagram yesterday was beautifully put and inspiring.

• Ronni Nicole creates such gorgeous art. I’ve never been fast enough to snap up one of her smaller plaster pieces; maybe with her new collection? She’s reserving spots for her larger pieces now. The photo journal on her website lets you visit her farm and see her art in action.

• Although my days are full right now with gardening and painting, getting back into block printing has been on my to-do list for ages. Maybe I’ll even print some fabric. If you’re interested in block printing fabric (and sewing with what you create), Jen Hewett’s book Print, Pattern, Sew is filled with inspiration.

• One of my goals is to follow and support more BIPOC artists and designers. Women Who Draw and People of Craft are two great resources I’ve found.

Winding Roads Art Tour

Last weekend I was supposed to be participating in the Winding Roads Art Tour. It would have been my first year on the tour and I was excited to be a guest artist at Amy Arnold’s and Kelsey Sauber Olds’ studio. Amy and Kelsey live down the road from my parents and Amy was one of the first people I met in the area when my parents first bought their land and I was living there part-time with my mom (nearly 10 years ago). Because of the pandemic the tour was rescheduled to next year, but the tour’s organizers set up an online directory so even those of you who don’t live in my little corner of Wisconsin can visit the artists…. virtually! For such a small, out of the way place, this area is home to an amazing array of artists, don’t you think?

New art is coming

Of course my garden is also my inspiration and I’ve been working on a new collection of spring-inspired paintings. I plan to announce their arrival in the shop next month. Stay tuned.

Last month I closed my note reminding you to be kind to yourself. I think it’s still important, perhaps even more so. Yes these days are challenging and heartbreaking and hard in so many ways and because of this it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself. Need some suggestions? I recently shared some strategies on my blog.

Stay safe. Stay well. Until next month, wishing you joy.

Hi, I'm Anne Butera, the artist behind My Giant Strawberry. 

Thank you for inviting me to your inbox!

I'm completely self-taught and my experiences have fueled my passion not only for watercolor, but also for encouraging others to embrace their creativity and discover their joy. (Read more about my journey here).

You can purchase my art including original paintings, fine art prints, fabric (yes, the top I’m wearing is made out of my fabric!) and other product designs on my website and elsewhere on the web.

Looking to learn how to paint or find creative inspiration? I teach online. Come join me in class.

In addition to teaching, I love sharing inspiration on my blog. If you want to stay connected, I hope you'll join me there. And if you're on Instagram, let's connect there, too.

With gratitude.
--A

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