Posts in sketchbooks
Savoring Summer and Embracing Creative Play
Savoring Summer and Embracing Creative Play

Hello my friend!

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

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art, joy, life, seasons, sketchbooksAnne Buterasavor summer, garden joy, sketchbooks, summer sketchbooks, summer sketchbook class, flower pounding, butterflies, black swallowtail butterflies, Substack, Anne Butera, botanical art, botanical watercolor, artist gardener, creative play, the joy of creative play, sketchbook experiments, Sketchbooks, why I love sketchbooks, childlike joy Comments
Falling in Love with Sketchbooks Again and Again (and a New Class)
Falling in Love with Sketchbooks Again and Again (and a New Class)

In the middle of winter when frost decorates the windows of my studio and I pull on another sweater, I’ll think back to summer days in my garden, cicadas singing, sketchbook on my lap.

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sketchbooks, art classes, artAnne Buterasketchbooks, sketchbook class, sketchbook practice, sketchbooks as self care, self care, self-care, how I use sketchbooks, why I love sketchbooks, skillshare, Skillshare teacher, creative self-care Comments
Why I Love Sketchbooks and How I Use Them in My Art Practice
Why I Love Sketchbooks and How I Use Them in My Art Practice

This week I finished filling up my 16th sketchbook.

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art, art classes, sketchbooks, houseplantsAnne Buterasketchbooks, Sketchbook Playground, Dana Barbieri, developing a sketchbook practice, developing a creative habit, developing as an artist, Anne Butera's Sketchbooks, my history with sketchbooks, why I love sketchbooks, how I use sketchbooks, my favorite materials to use in my sketchbooks, about me, my story Comments
How a Sunflower Painting Brought Back My Creative Joy: Behind the Scenes in the Studio
How a Sunflower Painting Brought Back My Creative Joy: Behind the Scenes in the Studio

Right now zinnias, dahlias, cosmos and marigolds color my garden and feed the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

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art, creativity, inspiration, joy, sketchbooksAnne Buteraart process, painting, changing season, seasons, garden, butterflies, hummingbirds, watercolor, watercolor painting, painting process, sketchbook, sketchbook practice, sunflowers, watercolor sunflowers, inspiration, following inspiration, developing as an artist Comments
Celebrate Summer Joys: Sketchbooks! Week 4 of a Month of Gratitude Practice
Celebrate Summer Joys: Sketchbooks! Week 4 of a Month of Gratitude Practice

It’s hard to believe this is the last week of my month of gratitude. August has flown by.

I think back to childhood Augusts with school looming and days of freedom dwindling. Back-to-school was both exciting and welcome but also tinged with sadness for the ending of summer.

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art, art classes, creativity, inspiration, joy, sketchbooksAnne Buterasketchbooks, Sketchbooks, sketchbook practice, summer sketchbooks, Dana Barbieri, a class with Anne Butera and Dana Barbieri, sketchbook class, Sketchbook Playground Mini Class, Free Mini Class, Free online art class, free class with Anne Butera and Dana Barbieri, gratitude practice, gratitude, a month of gratitude practice, joy, celebrate summer joys, summer joys, summer, August, collaboration, collaborative sketchbook, creative journey Comments
The Story Behind My Beautiful New Marigold Botanical Embroidery Designs
The Story Behind My Beautiful New Marigold Botanical Embroidery Designs

Today I’m pinching myself because my first embroidery kits and digital pattern are here!

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embroidery, sketchbooks, artAnne Buterabig dreams, don't give up on your dreams, creative dreams, making our creative dreams real, Laura K. Bray, Laura Bray, embroidery kits, embroidery kit design, embroidery patterns, embroidery, embroidery as sketching, creating embroidery kits, marigolds, gem marigolds, marigolds embroidery pattern, marigolds embroidery kit, PDF embroidery pattern, digital embroidery pattern, popular posts Comments
Shake Up Your Self-Care and Recommit to What Truly Brings You Joy
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.

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art, creativity, joy, life, sketchbooks, fabricAnne Buteraself-care, winter, sketchbook, play, fabric design, Spoonflower, spoonflower contest, spoonflower challenge, recommit to self-care, dreaming of spring, garden dreaming, seeing the beauty of winter, rescue dog, February, Feeling sick of winter, feeling weary, feel your feelings, botanical fabric design, nasturtiums, watercolor nasturtiums, nasturtium fabric, vining nasturtiums fabric design Comments
Summer Adventures in Your Botanical Sketchbook: a New Online Class
Summer Adventures in Your Botanical Sketchbook: a New Online Class

Last Friday I mentioned I was working on a new online class.

It was my focus for most of July, never far from my thoughts even when I wasn’t working on it.

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art classes, creativity, sketchbooksAnne Buteraskillshare, sketchbook class on Skillshare, Skillshare, Skillshare classes, Anne Butera's Skillshare classes, sketchbooks, summer sketchbooks, summer, summer creativity, summer art, art making, creativity, summer vacation, nature, garden, botanical sketchbook, Summer Adventures in Your Botanical Sketchbook, facing the blank page, embroidery, embroidery as sketching, flower pounding, cyanotypes, sunprinting, painting, sketching, inspiration, creative inspiration Comments
When Your Word for the Year is "Do"
When Your Word for the Year is "Do"

Back in December I chose “DO” as my word for the year. Lately I’ve been thinking about that choice. Wondering if it’s a bit ironic. Wondering how I feel about it now. Wondering if I should choose another word for the rest of the year.

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art classes, sketchbooks, life, artAnne Buterasketchbook, sketchbooks, spring sketchbook, skillshare, Skillshare, sketchbook class on Skillshare, Skillshare teacher, Skillshare classes, word of the year, do, keep going, artist trading cards, atcs, UPPERCASE Magazine, UPPERCASE Circle Comments
Now
Now

Right now I don’t have the energy or the brain space to write the post I wanted to for today. So I’ll just check in with you. See how you’re doing. Tell you I’m doing fine. Send some words of encouragement your way.

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life, seasons, sketchbooks, studio, joyAnne Buterawhat's happening in my studio, skillshare, Skillshare teacher, Skillshare classes, sketchbooks, spring, daffodils, cats, rescue cats, black and white cats, spring sketchbook, studio, studio cat, in the studio, rainbows, quotes, Mary Oliver Comments
How to Choose a Sketchbook
How to Choose a Sketchbook

Over the years I’ve fallen in love with sketchbooks, but it took me a while. I’ve shared before about how even after I started making art I felt intimidated by them. The biggest reason behind my fear was an idea that what appeared on the pages needed to look a certain way. Prioritizing product over process is a great way to stifle your creativity in all art, but especially within the pages of your sketchbook.

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sketchbooks, FAQs, art suppliesAnne Buterasketchbooks, sketchbook practice, sketchbook class on Skillshare, Sketchbooks, how to choose a sketchbook, art supplies, art supply review, choosing art supplies, art supply recommendations, Youtube, FAQs, art supply faqs, Cultivating a Sketchbook a Guide by Anne Butera, cultivating a sketchbook practice a guide by Anne Butera, what to look for in a sketchbook, Anne Butera, art by Anne Butera, Anne Butera's Skillshare classes, Anne Butera's Sketchbooks, ebook, free e-book, art e-book, free art-ebook Comments
What is Skillshare and How Does it Work? (And Introducing a New Class)
What is Skillshare and How Does it Work? (And Introducing a New Class)

I just released a new class on Skillshare. My 20th class on the platform. It’s a little mind-boggling to think I’ve created that many classes.

I first started teaching on Skillshare three and a half years ago. I was already a member and had taken some classes on the platform, but had never thought of teaching there. Then they contacted me and invited me to teach.

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art classes, creativity, FAQs, inspiration, seasons, sketchbooksAnne ButeraSkillshare teacher, skillshare, how does skillshare work, what is skillshare and how does it work, what is skillshare, teaching on skillshare, Skillshare classes, sketchbook class on Skillshare, teaching on Skillshare, Skillshare, Anne Butera's Skillshare classes, sketchbooks, sketchbook practice, winter sketchbook, Explore Winter in Your Botanical Sketchbook, botanical art, botanical sketchbook, anne butera, popular posts Comments
Celebrating Autumn
Celebrating Autumn

It feels strange to think it’s November. These days tumble past faster and faster. Weeks pass. Months pass. Seasons pass.

And now it’s November.

Two months left of the year.

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joy, life, sketchbooks, seasons, art classesAnne ButeraSkillshare, Autumn, autumn in the garden, sketchbooks, botanical watercolor, botanical art, botanical sketchbook, Celebrate Autumn in Your Botanical Sketchbook, art classes, art instruction, anne butera, Skillshare classes, sketchbook class on Skillshare, Anne Butera's Skillshare classes, watercolor painting, watercolor, watercolors, watercolor illustrations, watercolor process, autumn watercolors, autumn leaves, acorns, painting maple seeds, maple seeds, watercolor maple seeds, nature in watercolor Comments
a little goes a long way
a little goes a long way

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been enjoying practicing yoga with Adriene, whose free videos I watch on Youtube. She often says “a little goes a long way.” It’s an encouragement to add yoga into your life, even if only in a small way.

I’ve been thinking about the idea of a little going a long way, not just in terms of yoga, but in all areas of life.

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life, sketchbooksAnne Buteraa little goes a long way, mindfulness, mindfulness practice, intention, art, sketchbooks, quick sketching, do something for yourself, self-care, dahlias, studio, cats, black and white cats, rescue cats, colored pencil, brush pen, brush marker, yoga, a few minutes goes a long way, breathe, care for yourself, care for your body, busyness, slowing down Comments
In the Garden Lately
In the Garden Lately

I’ve been spending as much time as possible in my garden.

The dogs love being outside, too. During the week Jude goes with Matthias to his shop and Charlie stays home with me until I need to leave for my job at the library.

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garden, joy, inspiration, sketchbooks, paintings, artAnne Buteragarden, gardening, the purpose of a garden, artist gardener, inspiration, garden inspiration, garden flowers, harvest, harvesting herbs, preserving herbs, preserving the harvest, perserving chives in vinegar, infusing chives in vinegar, sketchbooks, colored pencil, strathmore 400 series softcover journal, Prismacolor, garden projects, garden as sanctuary, gardeners' relationships with their gardens, Anne Butera, watercolor, watercolors, botanical art, botanical watercolor, columbine, yellow columbine, watercolor illustrations, watercolor columbine illustration, roses, head over heels rose, in my garden, garden studio, portable studio, mixing colors, greyhounds, retired racing greyhounds, window boxes, windowbox planters, cats, rescue cats, black and white cats, herbs, raised beds, cinder block raised beds, fuchsias, lemon balm, lemon balm for tea, drying lemon balm for tea, using herbs from the garden Comments
Sketchbook Revival
Sketchbook Revival

I talk about sketchbooks quite a bit around here. They’re one of my favorite ways to create. The art I make there, the practice and play, is special. I sometimes share my pages here and on social media and I’ve shared physical sketchbooks with Dana Barbieri, but most of my pages are just for me. And I cherish that.

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creativity, inspiration, sketchbooksAnne ButeraSketchbook Revival, Karen Abend, Carla Sonheim, Anna Bartlett, Anne Butera, Sketchbooks, sketchbook practice, working in a sketchbook, art journey, art making, art practice, Cultivating a Sketchbook a Guide by Anne Butera, Free online event, free gift, free online art workshops, inspiration, being inspired, overcoming lack of creativity, overcoming fearComment
More Art Supply Love -- Kuretake Watercolors and Some Pens
More Art Supply Love -- Kuretake Watercolors and Some Pens

A few weeks ago I wrote about how much I was enjoying playing with acrylic craft paint and mentioned there were other art supplies I wanted to share. I find it so hard to resist the pull of new art supplies. It’s probably a good thing that there isn’t an art supply store nearby!

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inspiration, sketchbooks, joy, art supplies, studioAnne ButeraKuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors, art supplies, kuretake watercolor, art supply review, kuretake gansai tambi review, kuretake watercolor review, sketchbooks, art practice, collaboration, collaborative sketchbook, watercolor painting, artists, art studio, pens, krylon leafing pens, krylon leafing pen review, metallic paint markers, Tombow Calligraphy Pens, Tombow Calligraphy Pen review, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen Review, brush pen, brush marker, drawing, sketching Comments
Looking Back and Looking Forward
Looking Back and Looking Forward

Today is my birthday. I love birthdays. When I was a child my mom always made them so special. I guess I never let go of the joy of celebrating my day.

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creativity, joy, life, sketchbooksAnne Buterabirthday, getting older, my birthday, my story, about me, anne butera, happy birthday, art, art making, creative journeys, creative journey, looking back, looking forward, takin stock, taking stock, celebrating success, your journey is unique, sketchbooks, development as an artist, word of the year, GROW, grow, dreams, big dreams, dreaming big, making our creative dreams real, how to make your creative dreams real Comments