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.

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.

art, creativityAnne ButeraFebruary 10, 2024dreams, creative dreams, dreaming big, dreaming big dreams, moving from dreaming to doing, stickers, art journey, creative journey, creative journeys, how to move forward with your creative journey 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.

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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

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.

Quitting Instagram (for Good) and Why I Adore Blogs and Blogging

In April I wrote about stepping away from Instagram. It felt right for me. Energizing. Freeing.

In June I wandered back.

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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!

10 Lessons from 10 Years of Learning How to Paint

You’ve quieted your mind and listened to the whispers. Your heart longs to learn something new, to be creative, to craft a different life.

Now what?

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On Blogs and Blogging (again)

Last month I wrote about taking a social media break. I looked back over my time on Instagram and also touched on the way blogging has changed over the years. I want to spend a bit more time considering blogs and blogging, giving the topic its own post (I’ve written about blogging before and will most likely write about it again).

My Word for 2020: DO

I’d been slowly accumulating a list of possible words for this year. Beautiful, poetic words. Any of them would have been a good guide for my year. I thought I’d decided on one until a couple weeks ago another popped int my head while I was in the shower.

2019 Year in Review (& Thoughts About a Decade)

Another year has drawn to a close. Another decade, too. On January 1, 2009 I wrote in my journal: “2010. Wow. Seems so futuristic.” And here we are in 2020, even more futuristic-sounding.

But I don’t want to jump into 2020 without spending some time considering 2019 first.

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Being courageous

With only two months (and a bit) of the year left, I find myself looking forward to next year while also looking back over 2019.

My word for 2019 has been GROW. In some ways I feel that I’ve fallen short with my intentions. I don’t know about you, but for me I can look at all I still want to do and forget about all I already have done. Last week I was looking back at my seven years of calendar making and remembering how far I’ve come in that time. In some ways I’d almost forgotten.

Calendars are Here! (And a Pep Talk)

Back in 2011 I had a dream to create a calendar with my art.* Two years later I was finally able to do it. Every year since then I’ve designed a calendar with new paintings. It’s one of my favorite projects.

I think I say it every year, but this calendar is my favorite!

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An Opening Reception

Last night was the opening reception for my show at Viva Gallery in my town of Viroqua, Wisconsin. The gallery is an artist cooperative with 23 (I think) members and each month it hosts a guest artist. I’m the guest for the month of October.

Carving Out Time for Art

Today I’m taking over the Carve Out Time for Art Instagram account. I’m so honored to have been asked to share my day with that creative community. Carve Out Time for Art was created by Marissa Huber and Heather Kirtland and this is what they have to say about it:

On Dreaming Big

When I first started writing a blog and named it My Giant Strawberry one of the things that appealed to me about that name was how it spoke of my big dreams. Back then I had a lot of dreams, but I never imagined I would begin painting or that painting would become a main focus for me.

Where are They Now? Catching Up with Some of the Artists I Interviewed

You may have noticed that I'm posting on a Tuesday instead of my usual Friday. I'm working on sharing some shorter posts between my regular posts. I'm not sure how often I'll do this, but it's fun to experiment and try some new things in this new space.

And speaking of trying new things, I've been contemplating starting up another interview series. What do you think? Do you enjoy reading interviews with creative women who are living their dreams?

inspirationAnne ButeraAugust 14, 2018inspiration, inspiring people, inspiring women, creative women, creativity, dreams, creative dreams, living your dream, interviews, Sarah Venema, Jayme Marie Henderson, The Storm Cellar Vineyard and Winery, Under a Tin Roof, Kayla Haupt, Jill HauptComment

notes from the studio