Why I Love Sketchbooks and How I Use Them in My Art Practice

This week I finished filling up my 16th sketchbook.

art, art classes, sketchbooks, houseplantsAnne ButeraSeptember 24, 2021sketchbooks, 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

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

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.

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!

Behind the Scenes This Week: What it's Really Like to Run an Art Business

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be a full-time, self-employed artist? Although I frequently share what I’m working on here on my blog, I don’t think it gives a comprehensive picture of what it’s like to run an art business. Are you curious?

Painting Violas and Pansies: in My Studio with Spring Garden Inspiration

For me, springtime in the garden always means violas and pansies. They’re some of the first things to show up at garden centers and one of the first things to bloom in my garden.

Botanical Embroidery Design: an Exciting New Direction For My Art

Sometimes the universe nudges you forward when you’re not quite ready. This happened a few weeks ago when I checked Spoonflower’s list of upcoming design challenges and saw one featuring embroidery.

Prioritize Your Big Work

I recently purchased Sarah Greenman’s Oracle Deck and this is the first card I pulled: “Prioritize Your Big Work.”

art, business, joy, inspiration, lifeAnne ButeraApril 30, 2021inspiration, oracle deck, oracle cards, Sarah Greenman, My Big Work, my purpose, prioritizing art, prioritizing our work, goals, making goals, setting intentions Comments

Why I've Stepped Away from Instagram: My Problems with Social Media

It’s been a busy week. Our warm spring weather disappeared, replaced by dark dreary days. We even had a couple of mornings of snow. Not unusual for Wisconsin and I haven’t minded. I have lots of projects I’m working on in my studio.

Why Protecting Creative Time and Space is So Important for Your Creativity

Today I was supposed to be wrapping up the Get Re-Inspired Creative Retreat. I planned to share my finished papier-mache pieces and sum up the lessons I learned over the course of the month.

But as this week approached, I realized I wasn’t finished with the retreat. So I’m giving it one more week.

art, creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraMarch 26, 2021carving out time for creativity, creativity, protecting creative time and space, reclaiming creativity, reclaiming inspiration, March Creative Retreat, patience, practicing patience, going slow, skillshare Comments

An Invitation to Join Me in the Get Re-Inspired Creative Retreat

On February 16 before I did anything else in my studio, I sat down and worked on a page in my sketchbook. Since then I’ve started every workday with sketchbook play and have only missed one non-work day because of a migraine.

art, creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraMarch 5, 2021Creative Retreat, March Creative Retreat, get inspired, get re-inspired, join me in creativity, how to be more creative, how to be more inspired, how to be creative, how to make room in your days for creativity, sketchbook, daily art making, daily creativity, be creative every day Comments

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.

Are You an Artist? Writing an Artist's Manifesto

The shop was a jumble of art, jewelry and funky secondhand furniture. Although the town’s population was tiny, it was crowded with people attending the local art festival. I browsed, more curious about what was for sale than because I wanted to purchase anything.

Looking Back and Connecting the Dots of our Journeys

Back in December Abby Glassenberg interviewed me for the Craft Industry Alliance Podcast. Our conversation aired this week.

art, creativity, lifeAnne ButeraJanuary 22, 2021about me, podcasts, Abby Glassenberg, Craft Industry Alliance, creative journeys, looking back, looking forward, creativity, childhood Comments

Art by Other Artists in My Studio: a Partial Studio Tour

I’ve been wanting to show you around my studio but instead of giving a full tour, today I’m sharing one corner where I’ve collected art from other artists.

Sips of Inspiration: an Interview with Dana Barbieri

I’ve been giddily anticipating posting it and I’m so happy to finally be able to announce this month’s guest: Dana Barbieri.

art, inspiration, life, Sips of InspirationAnne ButeraNovember 20, 202010 years of learning to paint, 10 Year Painting Celebration, 10 year painting celebration, 10 years of learning watercolor, 10 years of watercolor painting, 10 Years of Learning How to Paint Comments

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?

art, creativity, inspirationAnne ButeraNovember 13, 2020advice for artists, creative advice, 10 years of learning to paint, 10 years of watercolor painting, 10 years of learning watercolor, creativity, creative doubts, creative inspiration, Creativebug, skillshare, developing a creative habit, Elizabeth Gilbert, Georgia O'Keeffe, Vincent van Gogh, joy, enjoy the process, being a beginner, give yourself time to be a beginner, advice for creatives, Let creativity take over your life, have fun, enjoy yourself, enjoy creativity, enjoy creating, creative challenges, creative classes, creative community, focus, Lilla Rogers, development as an artist, developing as an artist, creative dreams, creative development, 10 Year Painting Celebration, 10 Years of Learning How to Paint, How to take your art to the next level, 10 year painting celebration, popular posts Comments

10 Year Painting Celebration: Nudging You Toward Your Dreams

My heart raced and I held my breath. I felt a flutter in my stomach as I sat down with a set of watercolors, some paper and a brush to paint for the first time.