We are all flowers
We are all flowers underneath the same sun. We bloom in an array of colors. shapes. sizes. This is what makes the garden so beautiful. ~ Ellen Everett
I gathered a handful of ditch daisies the other night, my favorite. I was at the lake where I listen to the frogs sing, about a half hour after sunset, to take my weekly survey report. There wasn’t much of a concert, but I could still hear some Spring Peepers calling from the far side of the lake, overlapped by the honking of a goose. It was otherwise quiet and still. Daisies dotted the sides of the ditch, covered partly by tall grass. As I gathered a few here and there I thought of how grateful audiences toss flowers on stage for opera singers and ballet dancers and I wonder what the frogs would think if I were to toss a flower their way. How startled they would be and temporarily silenced by the intrusion. I decided they probably wouldn’t perceive it as a compliment of their performance so instead I took my flowers home and put them in my kitchen window to enjoy them myself.
I’m convinced that a handful of daisies, a good song on the radio, and a backroad drive under moonlight can make a heart sing almost as high as that opera singer.
The past couple of weeks have been filled with so much wonder I almost don’t know where to begin. For starters, our Thursday Open Studio brought in a crowd! We all painted tiny canvases and the room was abuzz with happy chatter as nearly 20 people made tiny masterpieces. Two decisions were made that night. One, is that we are now calling our second Thursday open studio ‘Art Club’. (will there be patches? Maybe) Secondly, Mini Masterpieces needs to be an ongoing class offering. The first official one is scheduled for July where we’ll make the tiny paintings, display them on tiny easels, and get this, use a tiny wooden palette in the process. That bitty palette can be taken home as a keepsake where it can be turned into a pendant or keychain. If there is interest, expect to see other mini masterpieces in different mediums in the following months.
Third Thursday with the Sowing Room held space for conversation surrounding scarcity and abundance mindsets. People bravely illustrated their own stories on the topic and shared them with each other. I love how people show up for each other in these gatherings.
A project I had started a while back has finally seen the light of day, and the reception it’s received has encouraged me to continue. Please meet my ARTiculated animals - storytelling paper dolls inspired by nature. The frog, turtle, and owl will soon have friends, thanks to several clever suggestions on Facebook. Maybe a fox? Opposum? Deer?
These are for sale in my online shop , at the Friday Markets and at Arts in the Park this Sunday in Brainerd, and also at Campfire Bay Resort in Cushing (stop in to see their cute shop and get some ice cream!)
Workshops!
More than just skill-building, workshops are a chance to relax and meet new people while working on something that feels good to your hands and your head. Here’s what’s coming up:
Sat, July 11, 10:00am to noon - Intro to Gelli Plate printing
Sat, July 11, 1:00 - 3:30pm - Painterly paper poppies
Mon, July 13, 6:00-8:00pm - Intro to Gelli Plate printing
Wed, July 15, 6:00-8:00pm - Mini Masterpieces - paint a tiny painting
Sun, July 19, 10:00am to noon - Needle felted hen
Mon, July 20, 10:00am to noon - Painterly paper sunflowers
Wed, July 22, 11:00am to 2:00pm - Spirit Doll with Patricia Lintner (register on her website - patlintner.com)
Find all of these offerings and more in my shop.
See a class you like, but can’t make the date/time work? Reach out! If my schedule allows I might be able to make it happen for you. Who knows, someone else might be hoping for the same arrangement and just need someone to get the ball rolling.
Events!
Sun, June 28, 10:00-4:00 - Arts in the Park - Gregory Park, Brainerd. I’ll be set up selling my work as well as offering a free button-making experience. Stop by, check out my pieces, and make a button to commemorate the day.
Thur, July 9, 6:00-8:00pm - Art Club (formerly known as Open Studio) - we’re cooking up a special surprise. More information to come on what we’ll have out on the table. Or as always, bring a project of your own and hang out with other creatives in a cozy space. This is a free event held on the second Thursday of the month. Join us!
Third Space Thursdays with the Sowing Room are on hiatus for the summer months, but my space is still open from 6:00-8:00 for anyone who wants to gather.
Every Friday 9:00-2:00 - Main Street Market Downtown Brainerd - come visit me, peruse my wares, or put some quarters in the mini art print machine. This farmer’s market is held in the parking lot of Brainerd’s City Hall, across the street from Coco Moon. There are loads of other amazing vendors - fresh bread, veggies, flowers, sweets, spices, jewelry, and much more and there are food trucks to add to the fun. Come see us!
(almost) Last Call!
There are just a few more days left to sign up for Letters from a Lil Fish, if you want to get in on the July launch.
If you join, each month you’ll get a letter, a beautiful card to keep or give away, and a little surprise in the mail. Different than what I share here, each monthly letter will be a little more personal, a little more in depth, and full of musings and inspiration. Sign up for a month, a season, or a year. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a little bit of happiness in your mailbox tucked between the junk mail and bills?
I am so grateful for your support and cheers. If you think someone else might be interested in my journey, I’d be grateful if you would share with them.
Helpful links and info:
Studio 101, Franklin Arts Center, 1001 Kingwood St, Brainerd MN
Find me on Facebook
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Want to read past newsletters? Newsletter — Lil Fish Studios
Yes, I do private events in my cozy space or in yours.
I also do community art activities to complement your event.
Even corporate retreats and team-building.
Want to connect with other local artists? Need a mural? I might be able to help.
Need hand-dyed felting wool or a unique gift? I got you.
Let’s talk. Message me at lisa@lilfishstudios.com
