I just want to share a few behind-the-scenes from this past week with you. I am always looking to follow the joy, and I hope that by reading my blog or watching my videos, you will be inspired to do the same.
If you have been following me on my incredible art journey, you know that I LOVE to play with color and flowers. It's where I find the joy and magic to create.
Flowers.
My dahlias are all coming up, most have buds, and some are in bloom. First few out are "Sun Kissed" from Swan Island. I absolutely love the pale yellow (and I'm not a big yellow fan!). Or how about this gorgeous shade of maroon with flecks of pink also from Swan Island called "Diva". And these sweet new ones from Triple Wren Farms are "Fern Cliff Copper"
Art.
So when Renee Mueller and I went to Santa Fe a couple of weeks ago, we came away wanting to create more art for ourselves. We both teach and sell products with our art – so it seems whenever we make art it’s for "work". A pact was made with each other to carve that time and create more for ourselves.
So I am declaring to you that I will be definitely doing this! Even though seem to be always busy – it’s been really good for my soul to push everything aside for this special time.
1. Santa Fe study; watercolor on top, oils on the bottom. 2. Watercolor flowers in. my sketchbook
Sunday Funday.
Ok! On Sunday Funday I cleaned! You may not think this is fun, but it was super cathartic. I spent most of the day weeding a huge chunk of my art studio garden and then I went into the garage where all my inventory and product is and I cleaned it all out and put what I needed back. A big load is going to be donated. I never left my home, and yet I walked 4.7 miles and did over 9K steps!
Inspiring Creatives.
One of my favorite things about social media is being inspired by other creative people and finding new ones to follow.
I always watch Willow Crossley's Sunday IG videos. I adore her and everything she does with flowers. This past weekend I checked out her blog and read an amazing interview with Lucinda Chambers. OH MY GOODNESS. What an incredible woman. Have you heard of her?
The link below is a 2-for-1. You can explore Willow's website and then read about Lucinda's journey from British Vogue. Now all I want to do is paint all the walls in my house a bright, beautiful color.
Click here for the article:
Follow these amazing women on Instgram:
Two quotes from Lucinda Chambers that I loved!
"I also think when experimenting with colour for walls and floors, it’s a bit like what I call ‘posh dusting’. Paint a huge swatch. Go big. Live with it and see it at different times of the day. When thinking about colour combinations inspiration can come from anywhere, a favourite painting that has colours you admire, an old tile, a pattern in a fabric. One room I was thinking about had so many colour swatches on that they all joined up, it was rather lovely and stayed like that for a year or so. And don’t be afraid. You can always re-paint."
Lucinda Chambers
"I think ageing is fine, and I think it’s almost easier after 50. You are never going to look near 40 so no point in trying. I think I’m happier in my early 60’s than I ever was. I know what suits me, I know who I love to spend time with, I am more adventurous in my social life as I love young people and their energy so I’m pretty open to change and having new experiences."
Lucinda Chambers
Enjoy the article and definitely follow Willow on Sundays. You will love her bouquets that she creates from her little garden shed in the English countryside. Swoon!
I hope you get to #followthejoy this week, and let me know what you find!
xo
Andrea