Flowers, frogs, fungi, and finding delight
May 2025
‘Art is survival’ ~ Julia Cameron from The Artist’s Way
Hi! How are you? I’m so glad you’re here.
I started reading ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron, again, for the first time. I’ve started this book several times in my life but never got very far. The last time, about 10 years ago, the words didn’t grasp me, it felt too trite, I didn’t have the time, etc. etc.
People mention this book frequently, so it’s remained at the periphery of my awareness, yet still unread. A lot has changed for me (and in me) in the past few years, and when I picked up the book recently, there were parts that I found myself nodding my head to. “The quality of life is in proportion to the capacity for delight” “The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention” These were themes I have begun to understand as true for me, that dovetail with understandings I’ve gleaned from other reading and self-reflection. So I’ve continued to read on.
I’m only on week 8 of 12 in the book, so there’s a chance it will go back on my bookshelf unfinished. That feels okay because I trust that I will find it again when I need it. That I will notice the details, and be delighted.
With gratitude, Lisa
On the subject of delight…my garden is slowly shaking itself awake. We’ve entered what my kids describe as ‘the season where mom stares out the window at her garden’. Which I do, and which probably looks a little creepy to the neighbors, me peeping out the small windows on the door, or standing in the big picture window, just staring. I hope they know I’m just staring at the Jacobs Ladder and not at them.
I’m paying attention, and know that these beloved beauties will also pop up in my art.
For those that follow me on social media, you may have seen a felted stone appear, something I haven’t worked on in quite some time. These little meditations seem to capture people, and I’ve always loved making them, but it was an inquiry from a publication about an article that put the stone back in my hand. You’ll see more of these, and hopefully an article, by this Fall.
I continue to explore my style through paper illustration and have adorned some lovely blank sketchbooks with scenes of mushrooms and flowers. I like to imagine what people might put in them…wishes, dreams, sketches, or as my dad used to include in the book he kept in his truck, directions to the best spots for wild asparagus, and stories from the duck blind.
I’ll have these at some shows later this summer, but may also put them in the shop on my website.
And for a bit of the absurd (and delightful, if you ask me) I wondered aloud what I might look like as one of my paper frogs. This was my answer.
It turns out that others want to know what they would look like as frogs too, so I’m working on a few commissions. If you would like a frogportrait of your own, drop me a line and we’ll create some delightful absurdity together.
Thank you for reading. It means the world to me.
If you think someone else may enjoy my work, I’d be grateful if you’d share this with them or encourage them to visit my website where they can sign up for my newsletter, consider workshops, and peruse past projects. I’ll soon be loading my calendar where you will be able to book classes and see where my work will be shown.
I am currently booking private classes and have some weekend spots left. If you have a group and an idea, let’s make it happen.
Thank you!
Have questions? Email me at lisa@lilfishstudios.com
