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

Delighting in Dahlias: Dreaming of My Garden in the Depths of February

Over the last couple of weeks, our snow was slowly melting. Two weeks of predicted snowstorms never materialized. What was left was nearly gone and then this week we were hit with snow, sleet, freezing rain and more snow. Now everything is white again.

garden, inspirationAnne ButeraFebruary 25, 2023dahlias, dahlia tubers, growing dahlias, growing dahlias from seed, dahlias in the garden, watercolor dahlias, garden inspiration, painting inspiration, winter garden planning, winter garden dreaming Comments

Why I Love the Library: a Review of 10 Books Inspiring Me Right Now

Last week I mentioned how books are one of the ways I make it through the winter. And over the years I’ve shared books here on my blog again and again.

books, inspirationAnne ButeraFebruary 11, 2023books, libraries, why i love libraries, book review, art books, language of flowers, textile art books, why I love books Comments

Ease into the New Year: Welcoming 2023 with New Words, New Projects (Same Me)

Here we are, two weeks into the new year. How are you feeling?

Have you chosen a word for your year? Are you setting intentions?

life, art classes, inspirationAnne ButeraJanuary 14, 2023word of the year, 2023 word of the year, easing into the new year, new year, welcoming the new year, skillshare classes, Skillshare teacher, skillshare, Skillshare Class, Skillshare, Skillshare classes, block printing, lino printing, lino cuts Comments

Focus on Gratitude in December: Thankful for Teachers and Students

I vividly remember the first time I tied my shoe.

gratitude, inspiration, lifeAnne ButeraDecember 3, 2022gratitude, gratitude for teachers, thankful for teachers, thank you teachers, why I teach, gratitude in december Comments

Why Skillshare is Great and How to Get the Most Out of Your Membership

I’ve been teaching on Skillshare for over 6 years. My first class came out in July of 2016.

Today I have 27 classes on the platform.

inspiration, creativity, art classesAnne ButeraNovember 12, 2022skillshare, Skillshare teacher, skillshare classes, Skillshare, Skillshare classes, what is skillshare, how does skillshare work, what is skillshare and how does it work, why is skillshare great, why you need a Skillshare membership, how to get the most out of your skillshare membership, Skillshare membership Comments

My Art Studio is Still Evolving but I'm Savoring Its Imperfection

Last year I blogged about planning my dream studio. I was hoping to move my work space from one room in our house to another. For various reasons this never happened.

life, studio, inspirationAnne ButeraNovember 5, 2022In Her Studio Magazine, art studio, bloom where you're planted, dreams, creative dreams, rearranging my studio, studio, dream studio, making do Comments

Listen to Yourself: a Reminder of the Importance of Rest and Self-Care

My blogging calendar has a different post scheduled for today, but I came down with a bad head cold this week and that other post didn’t get written.

inspiration, creativity, lifeAnne ButeraOctober 22, 2022creativity, self-care, recommit to self-care, creative self-care, being present as self-care, prioritizing self-care, rest, rest increases creative energy, prioritizing rest, making time for rest, time off, taking time for yourself Comments

Reader Conversations: Which Print Magazines Do You Enjoy?

Flipping through magazines in a bookstore with a cup of coffee in one hand. Checking out a stack of magazines from the library. Opening the mailbox to find a magazine tucked inside.

inspiration, Reader ConversationsAnne ButeraAugust 13, 2022reader conversations, magazines, inspiration, print magazines Comments

My Favorite Self-Seeding Annuals For Effortless Beauty Each Year in the Garden

One of the things I love most about my garden and gardening is connecting with nature. I plant my garden and I tend it, but I’m not really in control.

garden, art, inspirationAnne ButeraAugust 6, 2022garden, self seeding plants, self seeding flowers, growing herbs, garden flowers Comments

Making Creative Choices: How to Figure Out Your Style, Favorite Medium, Subject Matter and More

Earlier this year I invited you to share suggestions of what you’d like to see here on my blog. Since then I’ve been sprinkling in posts inspired by you.

One type of question a few of you had was around making decisions.

creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraJuly 30, 2022student questions, reader questions, creative advice, making decisions, creative dreams, how do you decide, style evolution, artist style development, artist style, art mediums, art subject matter, art supplies, creative choices, making creative choices Comments

The Winding Roads Art Tour and Another Reader Conversation

Last weekend was the Winding Roads Art Tour.

I keep trying to write about it, but nothing I write truly captures the experience.

joy, inspiration, Reader ConversationsAnne ButeraJune 11, 2022reader conversations, Winding Roads Art Tour, 2022 Winding Roads Art Tour, making connections through blogging, Kathleen Aaker, Deborah Conlon, making connections, bringing people together, bringing people together around beauty and joy Comments

June 4 and 5 is the Winding Roads Art Tour

After being canceled the past two years because of Covid, the Winding Roads Art Tour is finally going ahead.

art, inspirationAnne ButeraMay 28, 2022Winding Roads Art Tour, Kathleen Aaker, Deborah Conlon, Viroqua Wisconsin, Viva Gallery in Viroqua Wisconsin, 2022 Winding Roads Art Tour, Artist Studios, Wisconsin, Driftless Region, Driftless Wisconsin, art and artists, art community, local artists Comments

Reader Conversations: Do You Subscribe to Any Online Creative Memberships?

I regularly invite you, my dear readers, to engage in conversation here on my blog by asking questions in my posts. Nurturing an open, encouraging and inspiring environment is important to me.

inspiration, Reader ConversationsAnne ButeraMay 7, 2022reader conversations, online communities, let me know what you think, online memberships, membership subscriptions Comments

Finding Inspiration in a Student's Review of One of My Classes

In a recent review of one of my classes, a student wrote:

“She encouraged me to step out and paint for me instead of for approval.”

A Love Letter to Blogging, or Why Blogs are More Relevant than Ever

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and if you’ve been around a while you know I love it. Not for the commercial aspects (though I’m a fan of both chocolate and flowers) but because the idea of a day devoted to LOVE makes me happy.

How to Discover Joy in Subtle Colors: Lessons from the Winter Garden

The sun is shining, warm and bright. The garden is humming with bees and I catch the scent of roses, mint and spicy tulsi. I step among the blooms with my scissors at the ready,

10 Ways to Invite More Ease into Your Days and Why it Matters

When I think about the word EASE, I imagine serenity and calm. I picture being able to do hard things with confidence. I see myself flowing through my days with lightness, finesse, grace.