Hello, Subscriber First Name,

August is here!

Pause for a moment.

Take a deep breath. And another.

What do you notice around you right now?

I hear crickets. A chickadee. The buzz of cicadas. The air is sweet with the scent of lilies blooming along my fence. The clouds have blown away and the sky is a hazy pale blue.

Someone recently asked me if I’ve found the joy I seek. I’ll admit, it isn’t always easy. This year, especially, I’ve been struggling. But pausing like that, slowing down to pay attention, it always helps me to see the joy. The joy that surrounds us every day.

As June shifted to July my purple poppies started blooming. Now as we enter August, here come my sunflowers.

Looking at their centers I feel the pull to paint them again. Those varying colors of yellow and green are irresistible.

Last year’s painting still brings me joy.

(it’s available as prints in three sizes here and in a set of notecards here).

I haven’t been doing much painting lately. It’s not unusual for me in the middle of the summer. I used to beat myself up about it, to feel like I’m wasting all my garden’s fresh inspiration by not painting it right now, but I’ve been trying to pay better attention to my cycles of creative energy.

If you struggle with this, too, be gentle with yourself. Some seasons are for creating, some seasons are for soaking up inspiration. Both are important.

A creative prompt:

Go small.

Working small is something I talk about in my upcoming Skillshare class (I hope to release it later this month). The class looks at a sketchbook practice as a form of self-care and creating as stress-relief. So many of us struggle to fit one more thing into our busy days but choosing something small makes it doable.

I was having a frustrating day. I felt anxious and overwhelmed. So I took my own advice.

I sat in the garden beside a tomato plant and sketched.

And I felt so much better.

Some inspiration:

• I know you love studio tours as much as I do. There must be something in the air lately because I keep running across them. Here’s one from Sandi Hester on Jeanne Oliver’s website (don’t miss the other ones she has, too). Here’s one from jewelry designer Kate Harvey on the Grace and Flora blog. And here’s one from Kelly Rae Roberts on her blog.

• These crocheted mandalas are so beautiful.

• I love getting glimpses into Jennifer Orkin Lewis’s sketchbooks.

• I’ve been enjoying Connie Solera’s newsletter (she sends newsletters instead of blogging). Maybe you might, too.

• Need more ideas for conquering stress? Here are 52 from In Her Studio Magazine.

• Do you struggle with finding your voice as an artist? Tara Leaver has some advice in this Q&A post.

• In case you missed it, I recently answered a question I’ve gotten from students and readers in this blog post. Have a question you’d like me to answer? Reply to this email and let me know. (I’ve also shared a Day in the Life and advice for handing creative slumps).

• I’m eating from the garden every day, usually not following recipes, though I’ve made these slow-cooker chicken tacos three times (being creative with the toppings — most recently using lots of fresh tomatoes). These garden-packed enchiladas sound yummy and would be a great way to use some of my collard greens.

• Sophie Blackall has a beautiful new book for grownups called Things to Look Forward To. She wrote it as a way to find joy during lockdown. I wonder what you’d put on your list.

I’d put watching caterpillars transform on mine.

Right now I’m raising three very hungry monarch caterpillars and one black swallowtail caterpillar. I’m amazed by how fast they’re growing and how much they eat! Caring for them and observing them is bringing me so much joy.

I hope you’re finding ways to nurture your own, joy.

Until next time,

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

Thank you for inviting me to your inbox! I usually send these Joy Letters twice a month. I love connecting with you this way!

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 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 (you can learn for free for a month!).

In addition to teaching, I love sharing inspiration on my blog. If you want to stay connected, I hope you'll join me there.

With gratitude.
--A

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