We are Artists without Permission✨
And self-doubt is part of the process.
“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
~Mary Oliver
I’ve always been an observer. Nature and my surroundings inspire me most. I love sharing things with other people that might be overlooked.
I have been working hard, sometimes slowly and sometimes too fast, on my very first book. I have wanted to create a book since elementary school. But have kept this to myself for a long time.
As life went on, the more I thought about my book idea, the more I couldn’t ignore it! So, I decided to pursue this pretty amazing journey!
I did a lot of research and tried to perfect it, reading many books, taking online classes, and more. But I knew, from reading, that the only way to do this was to put the writing on the paper. I needed to escape the endless learning loop and trying to perfect and instead, create!
Because no matter how much I try to perfect it, it’ll never be perfect! And that’s kind of the beauty of it, right?
I want to share my love for nature with others, and I hope what I say resonates with them.
My biggest struggle while creating this book has been the thought that I need a large following on Instagram or here to be “known” or “popular.” I felt like I needed that validation from others to give me permission to write and illustrate a book!
Knowing this isn’t true and is a source of self-doubt, I took it upon myself to make a significant, important, and impactful decision to self-publish without a large following/audience. I didn’t pitch to a traditional publisher.
I decided to self-publish maybe because of self-doubt, but maybe it was something else. I can make this book however I want it to be, look, and feel. It was a very personal decision.
I’m so excited about what’s to come that it’s a little hard to contain! I am even sharing the excitement with others, in person and online! This is such a vulnerable act.
When you make and sell art, you often step into the unknown. You feel cringy, weird, and delusional.
I want this Flower Book to connect with others on a deeper level. Art has been an extreme mindset reset for me; it has calmed me, made me feel more grateful, and brought me into the present moment. I don’t feel so impulsive (but more intuitive!), and I can make art in my pajamas, pretty cool!
When we slow down, our creativity has space to breathe.
During one of my painting sessions, I realized how easily we rush through beauty, and how much meaning we find when we pause.
Like gardening and being out in nature, enjoying the company of flowers! Flowers are pretty magical and have long been celebrated as guides, for celebrations, festivals, poetry, and so much more!
My book will feature over 50 different kinds of flowers, stories of folklore and spirituality, and a lovely new addition—an interactive section!
I am currently crafting a tea blend I call moon tea! It’s a blend of cornflowers, lavender, and chamomile—a perfect combo of relaxing florals for a bedtime routine!
Along with the book will come lots of fun goodies: prints, bookmarks, pins, stickers, and more! I am also designing flower seed packets to give away as a sweet gift to anyone who pre-orders and purchases The Book of Flowers from my website! The seed packet will have a variety of flower seeds to grow your bouquet! More on that later ;)
While it may be harder to go against the grain, don’t wait for anyone to tell you when or why you can’t do what you want to do. It’s up to you!
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
~ Mary Oliver
