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felecia_babb

Writer, illustrator, speaker, gardener

August newsletter, The Enquirer, hit inboxes today

August newsletter, The Enquirer, hit inboxes today with Summer's middle age. PLUS: Cedar Valley's newest zine, Get immersed and Kiss the Ground.

August newsletter, The Enquirer, hit inboxes today with Summer's middle age. PLUS: Cedar Valley's newest zine, Get immersed, and Kiss the Ground.

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. A

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.” — Zen Kōan

Like a lot of the country, my square patch of earth is experiencing drought. Each day begins with a walk of the gardens to triage what most urgently needs water. Then begins the work of hauling hoses.

There is much garden work (and life work) that presents itself as drudgery. Choosing to see carrying water as life-giving, even life-saving, transforms obligation to gift, resentment to gratitude.

Freed of resentment, I see the seeds Mother Nature blows about my gardens. Mother Nature and I work as partners; she plants, I water.

May chopping wood, carrying water nourish you. May you live not on this earth, but in it.

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

Seeing with our hearts–darshan. For a week now,

Seeing with our hearts--darshan.

For a week now, I've heard owls hooting in the neighborhood. I went looking but couldn't find them. As I pedaled home after a meeting the other night, there was a pair hanging right in my line of sight, practically right outside my front door.

Today I stumbled on the word for this kind of discovery, darshan.

Poet Gary Snyder defines darshan beautifully, "It's a gift; it's like there's a moment in which the thing is ready to let you see it. In India, this is called darshan. Darshan means getting a view, and if the clouds blow away, as they did once for me, and you get a view of the Himalayas from the foothills, an Indian person would say, 'Ah, the Himalayas are giving you their darshan'; they're letting you have their view. This comfortable, really deep way of getting a sense of something takes time. It doesn't show itself to you right away. It isn't even necessary to know the names of things the way a botanist would. It's more important to be aware of the "suchness" of the thing; it's a reality. It's also a source of a certain kind of inspiration for creativity."

May you experience a darshan, the gift of true seeing.

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

What brings us through? Everyone alive suffers. Y

What brings us through?

Everyone alive suffers. You might be suffering now from disappointments, rejections, ill health. The list of ways to suffer is long.

And you have suffered before. What brought you through the suffering? Was it love, strength, humor, a good friend, time, determination?

Whatever brought you through before is part of your richness. A part of yourself you can count on. And a part of you that others may need as they suffer.

#inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist
May what brings you through float you and others over troubled waters.

What the pretty pictures don't show. I'm so grate

What the pretty pictures don't show.

I'm so grateful this morning for a loving husband who patiently drove by a half dozen Mississippi boat launches because they weren't deemed "auspicious"--too close to the channel and the barge traffic, too little water, too much water.

Until we found a spot that was "just right." It's not easy being married to Goldilocks, someone who wants everything, "just so." My man, he earns his Prince Charming title.... every day.

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

The dry mile. Some days the climb looks daunting,

The dry mile.

Some days the climb looks daunting, others we joyfully scale the steps.

Whether your climb through the day and week challenges or thrills, may you meet each step with courage and hope.

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

"Quiet the mind and the soul will speak." Ma Jaya

"Quiet the mind and the soul will speak." Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati.

Nothing quiets my mind like doing color swatches. So calming.

How do you find a resting place for your mind?

#standwithsmall #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #sketchbookart #alliseeispretty #illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #watercolour #watercolorartist #meditations #meditationart

"To truly feel gratitude is to sprawl out into the

"To truly feel gratitude is to sprawl out into the light of the present." CATHY PARK HONG

May your gratitude sprawl to the horizon.

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

Dreaming of a kayaking trip. Maybe on the Mighty M

Dreaming of a kayaking trip. Maybe on the Mighty Mississippi?

#illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #illustratorsofinstagram #plantsplantsplants #plantsofinstagram #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #plantsillustration #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #tempuradesign #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #forestillustration #natureillustration #watercolorsketch

The family here for the week. Lots of sunshine, la

The family here for the week. Lots of sunshine, laughter, and memory-making. Still finding time for a quick sketch.

#illustration #watercolorpainting #watercolorillustration #illustratorsofinstagram #plantsplantsplants #plantsofinstagram #inspiredbynature #natureonthepage #natureforsoul #plantsillustration #watercolour #watercolorartist #illustrationartist #tempuradesign #illustrationnow #naturesketch #standwithsmall n #painting #iloveillustration #artistsofinstagram #artstagram #kidlitartist #whimsicalart #whimsicalwonderfulwild #naturepainting #forestillustration #natureillustration #watercolorsketch #herbariumart

Today marks the official opening of croquet season

Today marks the official opening of croquet season here. What season opener are you looking forward to?

#meaningart #creative #creativeday #designinspiration #designinspo #illustrationartists #illustrationart #artsy #arte #motivation #innovation #newme #designforhuman #inpraiseofslowness #slowlittlelife #watercolor #watercolorartist #watercolorpainting #watercolor_blog #watercolorart #sketchbookart #sketchbooks #writersblock #soulwriter #midwestartist ##watercolor_illustration

Prepping for the final class of watercolor 2. This

Prepping for the final class of watercolor 2. This one might be the most fun! Using salt, Saran wrap, magic erasers, rubbing alcohol and more to create interesting patterns.

#beginnerwatercolor #watercolorpainting #beginner
#aquarelle #flowers #roses #watercolorfloral #watercolorpainting #watercolor #botanicalwatercolor #watercolorflorals #watercolorpaint #illustrationNow #watercolor_daily #floralwatercolor #illustration #tempuradesign #aquarelle #painting #botanicalillustration #botanicalart #watercolorist #floralpainting #watercolor_guide

Abundance Later today I'm picking up the first lo

Abundance

Later today I'm picking up the first locally grown tomatoes of the season. I ordered cherry, tomato, and slicing tomatoes.

Guess what's on the menu for dinner?

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

Prepping for tonight's watercolor class. Tonight i

Prepping for tonight's watercolor class. Tonight it's fur an flowers.

Have you heard?! It's cicada season. For me, it m

Have you heard?! It's cicada season.

For me, it marks the "official" start of summer. How do you mark summer's start?

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

The beauty of a pause. How often in your day do y

The beauty of a pause.

How often in your day do you pause?

It's surprisingly difficult.

A pause isn't thinking about the next thing on your list or looking around to see if you can catch yourself making mistakes.

Look, see, breathe. That's it.

Take a moment. Sit, breathe, look, see. Pause.

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

"Every morning, there's my own cup of gladness, a

"Every morning, there's my own cup of gladness,
and there's that wren in the hedge, above me, with his
blazing song." --A Wren from Carolina, Mary Oliver.

May sip heartily from your cup of gladness.

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

"Every move you make opens a new world of possibil

"Every move you make opens a new world of possibility." The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

The summer solstice sky.

May you see an abundance of possibility on the horizon of whatever cares, concerns, troubles you carry with you today.

#naturephoto #summerphotos #summerphotoshoot #summerphotography #midwestsummer #photographylovers💕💕 #photographyhobby #photographylife #photographyislife #photographyforlife #photography #photographer #photo #photoshoot #photooftheday #perfectshot

All kinds of sideways. When I began creating dail

All kinds of sideways.

When I began creating daily, I thought it would be all sunshine and roses. Those encouraging me said, "As long as you enjoy it, do it."

But as one of my students frustrated by a class assignment that went sideways said with hot waves of frustration, "What does 'enjoy' even mean when you're painting?"

It's so easy to look at the completed essay, the beautiful painting, and say yes to living a creative life. That life comes with tears and frustrations and hours of practice. A creative life is still life with all of its sloppy parts, and sunshine and roses.

What kind of sideways do you choose?

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

We've been away and I took a digital break. One

We've been away and I took a digital break.

One of the lodges we visited used less than perfect blooms in their bouquets. I was charmed by the wrecked quality.

These wrecked blooms spoke to me of the rush of time, life's tender spots, the way we are all less than perfect.

May you, even in your tenderest, wrecked way, remember your beauty.

#secretsofahostess #secretsofahostessflowers #floralarrangement #vasedflowers #flower #flowers #floral #lifeisbeautiful #floralartdecoração #floraldesign #flowersofinstagram #flowerlover #natureza #nature #inspiration #homedecor #interiores #interiorstylist #interiorstyling #interiordecoration #interiorinspo #interiorstyle #interiordecorating #tablescape #homestyle #homedecor #homedecoration #decoração #whimsy

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