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.

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

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

Saying Goodbye to 2021 and Welcoming 2022 with EASE

Wednesday morning dawned with a blowy, snowy storm. Most mornings after breakfast and coffee I start my day with a walk.

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.

life, creativity, studio, sewing, paintings, gratitude, joy, artAnne ButeraJanuary 3, 2020word of the year, year in review, 2019, 2020 Calendars, 2020 desk calendars, art, painting, goals, intentions, 2020, welcoming the new year, growth, Grow, GROW, greyhounds, retired racing greyhounds, challenges, life, life challenges, watercolor paintings, a year of paintings, a year of watercolor paintings, joy, handmade joy exchange, failure, being unafraid to fail, learning from our failures, art dreams, art by Anne Butera, artist, art exhibit, Viroqua Wisconsin, Viva Gallery in Viroqua Wisconsin, Rooted Spoon, Rooted Spoon Kitchen Table, Rooted Spoon Culinary Viroqua Wisconsin, Viroqua Healing Arts Center, McIntosh Memorial Library, embroidery, sewing, spoonflower garment sewing, fabric design, Spoonflower, studio, art studio, sketchbooks, sketchbook practice, Sketchbooks, Dana Barbieri, collaboration, collaborative sketchbook, artist collaboration, yoga, yoga mats, Youtube, skillshare, Skillshare, sketchbook class on Skillshare, Skillshare classes, Skillshare teacher, teaching on Skillshare, Anne Butera's Skillshare classes, gouache, creative journey, creative journeys, garden, gardening, garden joy, looking back, looking forward, dreams, don't give up on your dreams, dreaming big, creative dreams, big dreams, moving from dreaming to doing, living your dream, making our creative dreams real, making your creative dreams real, going for your creative dreams, grow, intention, inner critic, Sonya Philip, Yoga With Adriene Comments

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!

calendars, life, artAnne ButeraOctober 18, 20192020 Calendars, calendars, desk calendars, 2020 desk calendars, Anne Butera, Anne Butera's Botanical Watercolor Calendars, art journey, creative journey, inspiration, using Photoshop, learning Photoshop, dreaming big, big dreams, art dreams, creative dreams, determination, stubbornness, hard work, creative work is hard, Cottages and Bungalows Magazine, creative development, looking back, celebrating success, my development as an artist, my story, botanical illustration, botanical watercolor, business, creative business, business sense, art business, creative pep talk, encouragement, creative encouragement, words of encouragement, art practice, working hard, designing a calendar, Skillshare, Skillshare classes, teaching on Skillshare Comments

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.

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.

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.

notes from the studio