I can’t believe so many of you are launching self-appointed artists residencies!
I honestly did not expect this idea to take off the way it has. So many of you have made yourselves the unofficial artist in residence of something and started projects!
I’m going to be inviting some artists to come talk to us in more detail about what they’re doing, but meanwhile, here are some shout-outs. Go follow them now!
is exploring a different small garden in Paris every Monday, one in each arrondissement (I know, swoon) and here is her inaugural post in which she announces her artist residency. Go follow her and visit the small gardens of Paris!Michelle Gurfein-Shain made this beautiful post on Instagram about being the artist in residence of a farmers market, which is the best thing ever.
has declared herself the artist-in-residence of Gwithian Beach, in Cornwall, and she’s writing beautiful poems about the place. Read the first one here, and follow along.These are only a few of the people I’ve heard from. If you’re doing something like this, I hope you’ll keep me posted and let me see what you’re doing so I can share it!
I also wanted to share this with you…the wonderful illustrator
makes a point of painting the full moon every month! How amazing would it be to declare yourself the artist-in-residence of the MOON? Check out her wonderful newsletter right here.Check your email for a little gift from Substack
The platform that hosts this email newsletter, Substack, will be sending little gifts out to some of you. They’re offering you a free month of the “paid” version of my newsletter, which is filled with art lessons (here’s the whole archive). As I understand it, you won’t have to provide a credit card, but you will have to download their app in order to claim the gift. Substack will actually pay me real money, you’ll get a month of free art lessons and access to the archive, and…well, that’s it! If that sounds interesting, keep your eye on your inbox and maybe you’ll get one. (No guarantees, they’re using mysterious criteria to send these out to select people.)
Meanwhile, supporters of this newsletter are getting an exercise in drawing fall-themed food as part of an artists residency of FALL! We cover some basics about how to draw all kinds of food, and this happens every week for just a few bucks—and you can subscribe yourself or give a subscription as a gift, in this gift-giving season that is nearly upon us:
Is anyone interested in learning to paint gouache? I made a video for ALL of you!
Every now and then, I film myself doing an entire painting and post it to YouTube. Here’s one about how I build up layers using gouache. This is tricky, because gouache will re-wet when you put another layer on top, so you have to be kind of careful with it. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Do you wish you were in Tahiti right now?
Me too. Here’s a painting I made after my trip to Tahiti last year. There are many more small paintings for sale in my shop—maybe there’s one for you!
Stay in touch!
I love to hear from you! Post your questions, comments, ideas, etc here:
So Many Announcements!
Here’s a fun podcast interview I did about Wicked Plants.
Are you in Portland? I’ll be at the Portland Book Festival on Saturday, Nov 2.
Also, on Nov 15 I’ll be at OMSI in conversation with Christopher Marley.
Are you a florist, flower farmer, or flower lover? Maybe you’d like to join the virtual Slow Flowers Summit, where I’ll be teaching an art workshop called Draw Your Design, about drawing flower bouquets. Mine is only one of fifteen presentations about seasonal and local flowers, flower farming, and floral design. If you’re interested, use this promo code to get $50 off: $50OFFWORLDWIDE
Order signed copies of my new book, The Tree Collectors, from Broadway Books here in Portland.
Come find me on Instagram, or see paintings for sale- Right here
Order signed copies of some of my books from my husband’s bookstore, or order my books and many books I love at Bookshop.org
Take one of my online writing or art classes here
I too have been inspired by your artist-in-residence post but instead of a place, I’m going to be artist in residence of the bees—native, honey, bumble, sweat. So, I guess I’m the hive-in-residence!
Partially inspired by your post, I set up an artist initiated residency with a recording studio and will be spending a full day each month in a world class studio making music next year.