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.

Writing Joy Lists and Other Ways to (Attempt to) Feel Better

This week I sat in my studio and watched the garden out the sliding doors.

lifeAnne ButeraNovember 9, 2024joy, Joy Lists, writing joy lists, how to feel better during dark times, taking breaks, taking time for yourself, taking care of yourself Comments

How to Choose the Right Art Supplies (for YOU) and an Exciting Opportunity

I love art supplies. Learning about them, shopping for them, trying new materials — it’s so much fun.

I'm Falling (Back) in Love with Sketchbooks and Teaching at Sketchbook Revival

I’m a bit fanatical about sketchbooks. I love creating in them and I love encouraging others to embrace the practice, too.

What I love most about sketchbooks is the freedom I find within their pages.

sketchbooks, joy, inspirationAnne ButeraSeptember 14, 2024Sketchbook Revival, sketchbooks, sketchbook inspiration, art journey, my art journey, sketchbook pages, Sketchbooks, sketchbook Comments

A Tour of My New Studio: A Joyful Plant and Art-Filled Creative Space

It’s been almost a year since construction finished on the doors of my new studio and I was able to fully move into this space. About time for a tour, don’t you think?

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Savoring Summer and Embracing Creative Play

Hello my friend!

Summer has arrived in full force and my garden continues to enchant me every day.

An Art Tour, My Blogging Break and Shaking Things Up

I’m back from my blogging break and although I only skipped one post, it seems as if I’ve been gone a long time.

art, business, bloggingAnne ButeraJune 8, 2024Winding Roads Art Tour, 2024 Winding Roads Art Tour, Anne Butera, Charna Schwartz, Charna Pottery, Keewaydin Farms, Driftless Wisconsin, Driftless Curiosity, trying new things, trying something new, blogging, Substack Comments

Slowing Down, Nurturing and Taking a Break

Everywhere I look right now I notice glimmers of magic.

blogging, lifeAnne ButeraMay 11, 2024blogging break, blogging, spring garden, slowing down, living a slower life, focus, savoring, nurturing Comments

Hope, Patience, Joy: Lessons from the Garden for Art and Life

My peach and cherry trees are filled with flowers. Daffodils are blooming and everywhere I look outside, spring is progressing.

The Driving Force Behind My Business and Why I Write This Blog

Over the last almost 14 years I’ve blogged my way through growth and development as an artist and as a person.

business, bloggingAnne ButeraApril 13, 2024blogging, why I blog, why i write a blog, my newsletter, why I write a newsletter, The Joy Letter, Instigating Creativity and Joy, my creative journey, blogs, creativity, the why behind my business Comments

The Best of 2023: My 12 Favorite Plants and Garden Projects

In winter and early spring, it’s easy to forget how abundant and colorful my garden is during the growing season. I jog my memory by looking through photos and coming back to my blog posts.

Returning to a Big Project and Getting a Surprise Reminder of Gratitude

Every morning I try to spend some time sitting on the floor in my studio with my coffee or tea.

studio, gratitudeAnne ButeraMarch 9, 2024dream studio, dreaming big, projects, Writing a book, joy, savoring, dreams, don't give up on your dreams Comments

(Still) Loving Houseplants: 10 of the Easiest Plants to Grow and a Growing Houseplant Obsession

Last month I wrote about my love of houseplants, how they inspire my art and help me get through our Wisconsin winters.

Putting together that post was so much fun and although I was already enjoying tending my plants, it sparked a renewed obsession

books, houseplantsAnne ButeraFebruary 24, 2024houseplant books, houseplant portraits, houseplant paintings, watercolor paintings of houseplants, houseplant watercolor paintings, botanical artist, artist gardener, houseplants, growing houseplants, easy houseplants to grow, fiddle leaf figs, growing cuttings, propagating plants through cuttings, rooting cuttings in water Comments

Dreaming Big, a New Project and 5 Ideas for Moving Forward with Your Dreams

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been dreaming about projects and setting goals for this year. As I mentioned here on my blog and in my Joy Letter, I’ve been taking my time with this. And it feels good.