Dear creative,

I don't know about you, but these days I feel the need to take it slooow. I've had a bit of a flu this week so I haven't done as much as I had planned, but it's not necessarily a bad thing because it was an opportunity for extra self-care: allowing myself to take naps, go to bed early, drink lots of hot tea (with thyme from the garden), work from my favorite armchair and snuggle up with comfy layers, scarves, blankets and furry kitties. And day-dreaming about my upcoming online art show!

I’m calling this year’s collection “The Joy of Nature” and today I thought I'd share some of my favorite pieces with you. I even dug out some process pictures and videos so you can see some of them come to life. Enjoy!

It’s going to be lovely and I hope you will be there! Find out all the details here:

My heart is all a flutter because this year I've decided to include some very early paintings from my kitchen-table days. They've been whispering to me that it's time for them to fly...

There can be such a deep connection between our soul and the paintings we create. Yet we don't create them just for ourselves: they have a wider purpose, they're meant to be shared with others so that all the loving energy, the hopes and dreams and stories we have poured into them can radiate out into the world, and make it a more peaceful, joyful, open-minded and beautiful place.

That's why it can feel emotional, yet so fulfilling to part with our art and send it to its next home, to the people it was meant for all along. What a lovely mystery... Whenever I complete a painting, I always include a blessing for the person who will eventually own it. Sometimes I'll just whisper it, other times I'll doodle a heart or three little xxx. In my earliest paintings, I would add a real four-leaf clover (I keep finding them, ever since I was a little girl).

The heart in “Compassion” later inspired another painting that will also available in the show. It’s called “You are so loved” and is part of a workshop called “Wholehearted”, which will be added to my online classes later this year! I love how one painting often inspires another. The whole background is made of little love notes and the painting is just supercharged with good vibes and positive energy. I know it will bring so much love into its new home!

Every painting is a step on the artist journey, and some hold special meaning and importance. This was the case with my Jane Austen-inspired series of large paintings, which was featured on the cover of Somerset Studio Magazine in 2014!

I was so excited to know that the whole series would be featured over several pages, but I had no idea that one of the paintings would make the cover! I will always remember the moment I found out, because it was on the eve of a big exam: I was going to be assessed by a jury while leading a creative workshop about fairy-tales in an Alzheimer’s unit at a nursing home, of all things! You can imagine the state of my nerves…

Our kids were very little then, and we had just tucked them in for the night, so I thought I’d take a short break from my revisions. I had been wondering when the magazine would come out, so I went to check the Stampington website… and there it was! The magazine with my art on the cover for the very first time! I didn’t have a clue and my heart skipped a beat. Then I started jumping up and down and rushed to call my husband. After that, I wasn’t so worried about my exam anymore.

As serendipity would have it, the series is all about romantic heroines looking through a window, envisioning their dreams. And there I was, at crossroads between two very different life possibilities, both creative but one of them local and “sensible”, and the other a dream of spreading art around the world. Guess which one I ended up choosing?

This cover, at that pivotal time, was like a magical nudge from the Universe, a key step on the journey that led me to where I am now. I know that part of this magic will always stay embedded in these paintings, and I’m thrilled to think that they will bring these good vibes to somebody else.

More recently, I created a whimsical series of super textured and dreamy abstract landscapes, and challenged myself to film the whole process. It was during lockdown and there was so much to process, that I was having a hard time feeling motivated to make any art. This series was just the project I needed to stay committed and even fall in love with painting all over again.

These little dreamscapes are so lovely and feminine, with soft colors and plenty of vintage elements: papers, lace, tiny buttons… They were a joy to create and I know that this sweet energy is embedded into every layer. There are four small one, as well as a larger piece. I called them “Where Dreams Await”…

Finally, the larger part of the show will be about florals! They’ve been such a source of inspiration for me lately. Flowers might well have become my favorite subject to paint, especially because they’re so free and forgiving, a real invitation to play without fear and experiment with plenty of styles and techniques!

Many of the paintings in the show were created as part of my course Flower Flow. Some were created before the class, while I was deciding what projects to include, and others were painted as part of the lessons. To me there is no difference, because whatever I share in my classes, it’s always my own authentic art, no matter if the camera is rolling.

Spring Posies

The first series is called “Spring Posies”. These little collages are all about embracing the sweetness of imperfection!

A little wild

This next one is called “A Little Wild”. Who said flowers couldn’t be a little dark and grungy? In this series, color takes a step back so that texture can really shine:

Summer Days

This other, super colorful series is called “Summer Days”. Inspired by impressionism, the little paintings are made of dozens of tiny pieces of colorful paper, then painted over with different mixed media techniques:

Garden Dreams

The tiny, whimsical collages of the “Garden Dreams” series have been mounted on wood panels, then framed in shadow-boxes. They have a sweet and girly vibe!

There are yet more paintings in the show, including more florals and even a small encaustic piece. To discover them all, make sure to join the guest list! You will have accesss to all the previews and can request to be notified when your favorite pieces go up for sale during the show. I hope you will come and support me! Whether you purchase some art or not, know that your presence and encouragement are always deeply appreciated.

I would love for you to tell me which paintings speak to you, what feelings, stories or memories they evoke in your heart? I would also love to know: have you ever purchased some original art before? Have you ever attended an online show? Let me know in a comment below!

Flowers are such a joy to paint, and the perfect subject to experiment with plenty of techniques. From roses and wildflowers to vintage botanicals and imaginary blooms, this delightful class will make your art grow and bloom!

Leave a comment for me!