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felecia_babb

Writer, illustrator, speaker, gardener

#mylovelydays #seasonspoetry #alliseeispretty #ofq

#mylovelydays
#seasonspoetry #alliseeispretty #ofquietmoments #simplenatuefinds #inspiredbynature #botanicalcreativity #aflowerfilledlife #naturally_imperfect #handmadeart #watercolor #botanicalillustration #createdaily #illustrateyourworld #artjournalpage #natureonthepage #naturesketch #botanicallinedrawing #illustrationartist #illustration_daily #botanicalart #natureillustration #colouredpencilart #creativesouls #dreaminginpictures #autumnhappiness #slowautumndays #natureaesthetic #thissimplesceneAll oars in!

Last week was FULL of meetings and catching up after weeks of illness. The schedule didn't allow for much time for painting and writing. My poor garden sits neglected.

This kind of week often makes me growl with resentment and anger. This bout of ill health lasted longer than any I've ever experienced and isn't over yet.

This moment is teaching me a new way.

I'm switching my mindset of hostility to kindness. Anger and hostility can't change my circumstances. So I choose the one thing I can control, meeting stormy weather with friendliness, compassion, and patience.

I'm waiting and watching for a rainbow to appear out of the storm.
Bless those in the thick of stormy weather.

Instagram post 17866519694565477

Instagram post 17866519694565477

When we're not "bright and shiny." "To offer no r

When we're not "bright and shiny."

"To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of ease, grace, and lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being in a certain way, good or bad." ECKHART TOLLE

When we think about "living your best life" we don't imagine it will include illness, loss, grief, even death. And of course every life includes these.

As I slowly recover my health, I'm considering how one lives with pain, loss, limitations? My reaction during this bout was to resist. To cry out in dismay, anger, resentment.

I know many of you suffer. What strategies do you use to find ease, grace, lightness?

#mylovelydays
#seasonspoetry #alliseeispretty #ofquietmoments #simplenatuefinds #inspiredbynature #botanicalcreativity #aflowerfilledlife #naturally_imperfect #handmadeart #watercolor #botanicalillustration #createdaily #illustrateyourworld #artjournalpage #natureonthepage #naturesketch #botanicallinedrawing #illustrationartist #illustration_daily #botanicalart #natureillustration #colouredpencilart #creativesouls #dreaminginpictures #autumnhappiness #slowautumndays #natureaesthetic #thissimplescene

"Now I realize that the trees blossom in Spring an

"Now I realize that the trees blossom in Spring and bear fruit in Summer without seeking praise, and they drop their leaves in Autumn and become naked in Winter without fearing blame." - KHALIL GIBRAN.

Hello friends! I'm back after weeks away due to a pinched nerve. The pinched nerve meant I couldn't hold a paintbrush or pen. And the pain medication left me too fuzzy to think clearly.

This journey required letting go. Watching leaves fall from the trees reminds me we all have seasons when we release. Our hopes and dreams stand naked before the wintery blasts of loss. We are forced into nowness. This moment, this breath.

There is in this loss a coming home to ourselves. The essential, the deep root of goodness and sweetness, like fall carrots.

As we face our fragility, the terrible and wonderful way we are made to fall apart, may we remember our deeply rooted goodness.

#inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #autumnleaves🍁 #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour

Instagram post 17907657275148617

Instagram post 17907657275148617

What are you "saving"? My maternal great-grandmot

What are you "saving"?

My maternal great-grandmother's Flow Blue china cup (filled with coffee) and saucer are sitting on top of my paternal great-grandmother's desk this morning.

I've had the desk for years. The china came to me this summer, a gift from my mother and her twin sister.

The china sat in attics and basements for almost 60 years. It was so precious to both my mother and aunt that they were afraid to use it, fearing breakage.

There's a strong family tendency to save the good stuff for later-- when the time is right, perfectly ripe, for the good stuff.

The problem is time is never perfectly ripe.
Both art and fine things take care, practice, nurturing. They take time. Not perfect time, or inspired time, but work time. People tell me, "I'm saving my hopes and dreams, my ambition for the time when I'm 'ready,' 'perfect,' 'capable.'" Those with pretty china, silver, and linens complain about hand-washing and polishing silver.

Both art and fine things take care, practice, nurturing. They take lavishing attention and care on yourself to treat yourself to experiences only you can create.

What are you saving yourself for?

#flowbluechina #wisewords #kinfolkhome
#cornersofmyhome #flowerstories
#ofsimplethings #forprettysake
#thatauthenticfeeling #simplejoys
#myquietbeauty #mystoryoflight
#allthingsofbeauty_ #simpleandstill
#bloominglovely #awakethelight
#ourlightwithin #seasonalliving
#natureinthehome #finddailyhygge
#heyhomehey #homemaking
#rusticgamestrong #belazydaisy

So busy doing we miss our blessings. This week a

So busy doing we miss our blessings.

This week a friend who is celebrating her birthday told me of her plans to spend time over the next four days with the special people in her life. I felt envious of her ability to prioritize making memories over making progress on projects.

Not 10 minutes later, Prince Charming asked me to go play with him. "Nope, I've got all these commitments and projects." He walked away disappointed.

What was I doing? It's easy to get caught in life's hustle. There is time for everything under the sun, including time to stop.

May you make space for your life's blessings.

#inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #autumnleaves🍁 #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of bal

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony." THOMAS MERTON

#thomasmertonquote #thomasmerton #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #autumnleaves🍁 #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #portraiture

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of bal

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony." THOMAS MERTON

#thomasmertonquote #thomasmerton #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #autumnleaves🍁 #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #portraiture

Life is a self-guided tour. "Art enables us to fi

Life is a self-guided tour.

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." THOMAS MERTON

Yesterday I made my third stab at painting Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, writer, philosopher, and lover of life. What you see here is a work-in-progress.

I made so many wrong turns on the first two attempts. Instead of feeling frustrated, I grew more and more excited by the discoveries I made with each "bad" painting. The more I explored, the more I discovered. I read books on how to paint portraits and got more out of them the more I painted. I watched numerous youtube videos and learned more, including that there's more than one way to paint a successful portrait.

Over and over, I lost and found my way. If you're feeling lost, remind yourself this too belongs. If your path is level and smooth, celebrate.

May you revel in the self-guided tour that is life and art.

#thomasmertonquote #thomasmerton #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #portraiture

"Music…gives wings to the mind, a soul to the un

"Music…gives wings to the mind, a soul to the universe, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, a life to everything." PLATO

#plato #marchingbandlife #marchingbandmeme #microseasons #microseason #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour

On our way. The monarchs that blossom from these

On our way.

The monarchs that blossom from these late-in-the-season caterpillars are the "super generation." They make the flight to Mexico in a single generation. Next spring, it takes three to four generations of monarchs to find their way North on the return flight.

Imagine traveling that far without maps or elders to help or guide you. The world is strange, fascinating, and miraculous.

Feeling lost? Know that you, too, are finding your way in the only way possible. May you trust that you, too, are on your way.

#monarch #butterflyart #butterflies #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist

“Wherever you stand be the soul of that place.” ~ Rumi

Evening walks I catch the sound of the high school band practicing. The music wafts on the air, fading in and out. It's the tune the soul of this place plays this time of year.

Where do you hear, or smell, or see the soul of your neighborhood?

#microseasons #microseason #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour

I've written about this before, the Japanese celeb

I've written about this before, the Japanese celebrate 72 micro seasons. Whenever I'm feeling wistful about the transition from one season to the next, I look around to see what micro season we are in now.

The beauty of micro seasons is that they are tightly localized, personal, and by their very nature transient. It's a good way to move beyond a sense of loss.

It's pear season here. What season is it in your life/neighborhood?

May the season's abundance rain down on you with blessings.

#microseasons #microseason #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour

Instagram post 17924287543834938

Instagram post 17924287543834938

Bewildered. “Sell your cleverness and buy bewil

Bewildered.

“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” Rumi.

How did I not notice before the way September light plays?

May you open to bewilderment today.

#Rumi #rumiquotes #septemberlight #septemberlights🌞 #autumn #autumnvibes #sundaystroll #magical #picturesque #serenity #calming #flowercore #farmcore #gardencore #forestcore #fairycore #plantmom #cottage

Chasing light. "Light is an invitation to happine

Chasing light.

"Light is an invitation to happiness, and that happiness, when it's done right, is a kind of holiness, palpable and redemptive." Mary Oliver.

The light streaming through my north-facing kitchen window is endlessly entertaining. Notice the morning sun streaming through the hall just behind the fall anemones. This week every morning, I've put a new character in this light to see what it has to say.

Fall anemone is very eloquent.

#falllight #falllight🍂 #alliseeispretty#cottagecore #cottagecoreaesthetic #countryliving #cottagegarden #thecountrycrib #inspiremyinstagram #countrygarden #gardensofinstagram #underthefloralspell #flowerstagram #gardenersworld #gardenlovers #botanicalpickmeup
#gardenlife #gardening_feature
#garden #fadingbeauty #gardenphotography #homesandgardens #flowerphotography
#thebotanicalseries #whimsicalwonderfulwild
#gardeninspiration
#gardendesign
#gardensillustrateds

Less "precious". I'm trying something new! A trav

Less "precious".

I'm trying something new! A travel journal. I've wanted to do one for a long time. I've started many and then quit in frustration and disappointment.

Why do I paint? I paint for fun, not fame, or fortune. I read a post by another artist who reminds me that "trying to be good is killing your art." This artist suggests playing. A reminder that any endeavor pursued in a grasping, white-knuckle way soon has the joy sucked out of it. And joy, this artist argues, is what makes painting "good."

What are you holding on to a little too tightly? What would do you good to make less "precious"?

May you break some of the ego's china as you make your happy mess.

#emotionalartist #emergingart #happypaintings #quirkyart #curators #artcurators #traveljournal #trveljournals #bayfieldwi #bayfield_wi #paintingfun #quirkyart #paintingdreams #paintingdreams

Check your inboxes for this month's newsletter. Yo

Check your inboxes for this month's newsletter. You'll find a new online zine, fall classes, and Royal portraits. Or click the link in the bio.

#paintingclass🎨 #paintingnewsletter #naturenewsletter #literaturenewsletter

"And I'm forgetting everything. My goal now is to

"And I'm forgetting everything. My goal now is to forget it all so that I'm clean for death. Just the vaguest memory of love, of participating in the great unity." Sarah Manguso, Ongoingness. @SarahManguso

This time of year I'm on the hunt for light dancing through trees. I often find light having the time of its life in graveyards. After reading Sarah Manguso I'll now think of this light dance as the "great unity" which seems to beckon just beyond that gate.

#sarahmangusoquotes #natureforsoul #graveyardbeauty #graveyardphotoshoot #graveyardphoto #destination #midwestisbest #statepark #southshore #beautyinnature #travelphotography #wisewordsofwisdom #wisewords

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