Taking Inspiration from Nature - Creative Garden

Do you ever feel that you are creatively blocked? Then you should look no further than your own garden, green space or local park! 

We can find a wealth of inspiration when we take a walk in our gardens or green space, and there are so many ways in which we can look to nature and produce beautiful creative projects. 

Here are 5 tips for using the natural world to unlock your creativity:

1. Allow it to guide your art - Look at the kind of things that you might find to add that inspiration to an art project. It could be the twist of a branch that inspires a brushstroke, or the texture of bark or rocks recreated with modeling paste or gesso. Step outside your comfort zone and see where the natural world takes you.

2. Choose Your colors from natures palette. Nature offers a vast and vibrant range of colors. Observe the color combinations of a flowers petals, the contrast of a cloudy sky, or the variation of greens and browns that you find in a garden.

Choose colors that evoke the emotions and feelings you want to convey in your art, and let them be your guide. This plant is called the paddle plant and I love the color combination. I would never have thought to use it in my art.

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Growing Soursop - Creative Garden

 

Welcome to my Creative Garden where I am growing a Soursop tree.  It is growing quite tall and was grown from seed.

It produced two fruit last year that I was able to salvage, the rest were eaten by the monkeys.  They were even able to open a couple of bags that I had over one of the fruits I wanted to save.  They usually just take a bite, knock it down and chomp on others.  Check out the video to find out more about the fruit. 

Creative Weekend - Starts Here

What creative activities are you planning for this weekend.

If you would like a few hints and tips, I will provide you with 5 creative activities that you can do in a weekend. You can get all the family involved, or this might be something you do for a quiet moment.

Here Are 5 Creative ideas that you can think about doing:

1. DIY Studio Decor

Spend the weekend revamping your creative space with a few DIY projects. From creating your own art mood board for inspiration or upcycling old furniture that will help with your materials/tool storage, think about projects that you can do in a couple of hours or an afternoon.

2. Nature Inspired

Cole my dog loves being in the garden

Take your creative endeavors outside and set up an easel in a nearby park or your own garden. Let the beauty of nature inspire your artwork as you paint landscapes, flowers, or any other scene that catches your eye. Take a look at the colors and the subtle differences in shade. See if you can recreate this using your art supplies.  Come and join me in the garden for additional inspiration HERE

3. Free Art Courses

Take a look at the selection of FREE courses on my course platform and why not try them out using different supplies, and see how you can vary the results.  Courses can be found HERE

4. DIY Craft Projects

Unleash your artistic side with DIY craft projects - these are small projects that you can personalize and create small batches that can be given as gifts or when you are sending out one of your art pieces. You could try making handmade cards, or creating your own jewelry. These hands-on activities are not only enjoyable but also allow you to express your creativity in unique ways.

5. Photography Expedition

Grab your camera or your phone and set out on a photography expedition in your city or a nearby scenic spot, or again wander around your garden seeing what amazing animals or plants you can capture.

These creative ideas offer a mix of artistic, culinary, and outdoor activities to make your weekend both enjoyable and creatively fulfilling. Whether you choose to work on these projects alone or involve your family, exploring your creative side can lead to a weekend full of inspiration and self-expression.

Come and check out some of the FREE Mixed Media courses on my Course platform. You can check them out HERE

Gardening on a Budget - Trimming the Trees

I managed to get some of the trees trimmed in the garden.  They have been growing happily but can become a problem if you allow them to grow too tall.

I got our guy who cuts the grass to cut them back for me and now there is a lot of branches and leaves to make use of throughout the garden.

There are many things that you can do with the cut branches which once laid on the beds will help the plants overtime and is a cheaper way that having to have a dedicated compost bin, this helps to keep all the moisture in the beds and stops the plants from drying out.  You can also use some of the branches and seed pods in creative projects in the studio.

Here is what the pods look like on the trees, and once the pods are dry they split open and each can contain between 8 and 13 seeds.  

Come and join me in the garden, you will get to see how some of the plants are doing and may be share how you are doing in your green space, however big or small.

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Tropical Garden Update - Growing Bananas

 

Come and join me in the garden to check out what is happening to my banana patch.  I had moved a small plant in the space and it has now grown and has many small suckers growing around it.

I also noticed a flower growing and then before you could turn round there was a rack of bananas attached, which you can see in the photo below.

The garden is my happy place while there is usually quite a bit of work to be done out there I always take time out to just sit and enjoy all the things that are growing.

Join me next time in the garden to see what else is growing on.

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Creative Garden Expansion - Budget-Friendly Garden Projects

 

I've embarked on a new garden project, and while it feels a bit overwhelming, I'm embracing the challenge. Despite working on a tight budget, I've gathered some helpful tips over time for gardening economically.

Gardening isn't just a hobby; it's a therapeutic journey that occasionally presents the daunting task of starting from scratch. To tackle this, I've learned to break projects into smaller tasks and celebrate each milestone.

Creating a beautiful garden doesn't always demand a large bank balance. In fact, some of the most satisfying transformations can be accomplished on a limited budget. Let's explore some cost-effective ways to enhance your garden:

• Repurpose and Upcycle: Before rushing to the store for new pots or garden decor, take a look around your home for items that can be repurposed. Old buckets, tin cans, or wooden crates can be transformed into planters with a fresh coat of paint. Get creative with unconventional containers to add character to your garden while saving money.

• Propagate Plants: Instead of splurging on new plants, why not propagate your existing ones? Many plants, such as succulents, herbs, and certain flowers, can be easily propagated from cuttings or seeds. Not only does this save money, but it also allows you to expand your garden while fostering a deeper connection with your plants.

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So, come and join me in the garden I will be taking small and steady steps to achieve what I imagine in this new space. Happy gardening!

Arts and Wellness Cafe - More

Come and join us in the Arts and Wellness Cafe where the word for the session is 'More'

What do you need to do more of in your life, your creative journey?

In order to enhance your creative journey and enrich your life, it's important to make time for activities that inspire and motivate you. Consider incorporating more moments of reflection into your daily routine. Engage in activities that stimulate your imagination and creativity, such as:

• working in your art journal;
• taking long walks in nature;
• exploring new hobbies - take an online course;
• or practicing mindfulness and meditation - try out one of my digital coloring pages. HERE

Surround yourself with sources of inspiration, whether it's through art, music, literature, or connecting with like-minded individuals who share your passion for creativity. Remember to be kind to yourself throughout this journey and embrace the process of growth and self-discovery. 

In the video I share a way that I work in my art journal, making space for creativity and the time that you may or may not have.  This gives you pockets of time to be creative.  

We also look at a tip for the week and an important question that you should be asking yourself - intrigued, check out the video for more information. 

Before You Go:

Come and join me in the Creative Garden - HERE

The Wonderful World of Curry Leaf Gardening: A Green Adventure

Welcome to the Creative Garden! Today, I'm thrilled to share the story of my amazing Curry Leaf tree that is growing in my food forest.  You can check out the video below.

I originally brought a small Curry Leaf plant, and it's grown into a thriving tree that can grow up to 20 feet, whilst I don't want mine growing that tall here are a few things I noted:

1. The Unexpected pests

When I first got my Curry Leaf plant, it was a tiny sapling.  I currently face some challenges when it flowers and it gets attacked by the small black fly which then attracts the ants, they have this symbiotic relationship.

I had to make the difficult decision to trim it back quite hard and wondered how it would respond. To my amazement, it bounced back stronger and healthier than ever. 

2. A Bounty of Seeds and Saplings

Once the Curry Leaf tree blooms and produces flowers, it also starts to produce seeds. These seeds are not only edible but also give rise to an army of tiny Curry Leaf saplings. I discovered several mini plants surrounding the mother tree! They all sprouted from the fallen seeds.

Some have even grown into sturdy young plants that I've carefully transplanted to different parts of my garden. However, propagating these saplings from seeds or cuttings requires a delicate touch, as they don't like to be disturbed.

3. Cooking 

The Curry Leaf tree is native to India and is also found in Australia, Barbados and other places around the world. It's known for its aromatic leaves that are widely used in Indian cuisine, adding that unique flavor to curries and other dishes. I often use the leaves in cooking, especially stews and soups, it adds a lovely flavor to the dishes.  

4. Gardening Hacks: Pest Control and Bird Partnerships

In the world of organic gardening, pest control can be a challenge. One of the most effective ways I have found to keep pests at bay is by attracting birds to my garden and other garden friends to help - such as the lizards, frogs and toads.  There are also a number of natural ways that you can deter pests in your garden such as Neem Oil, picking the pests off by hand, soapy water and other solutions depending on the pests.  

5. Future Plans and Maintenance

As my Curry Leaf tree continues to thrive, I have plans to shape it so that it can stay at a manageable height, around six feet or so, to ensure easy harvesting of the leaves. Pruning and occasional spraying with neem oil will help maintain its health and shape.  Additionally, I'll be relocating some of the young saplings to better spots in the garden.

That said some great tips for the Curry leaf plant.  If it is not something that you are able to grow, think about how being out in your garden space or outdoors positively impacts on your health and well-being.  Here are a few reasons to spend time in the outdoors:

Here are some Benefits of Gardening on Health

Gardening isn't just about growing plants; it also has health benefits as well:

1. Stress Reduction: Gardening provides a calming environment that can reduce stress levels.

2. Physical Exercise: Tending to your garden involves physical activity, helping you stay active and fit.

3. Fresh Air and Vitamin D: Spending time outdoors exposes you to fresh air and sunlight, essential for good health.

4. Mental Wellbeing: Gardening can improve your mood, reduce symptoms of depression, and boost overall mental wellbeing.

5. Healthy Eating: Growing your own fruits and vegetables encourages a healthier diet, rich in fresh, organic produce.

My Curry Leaf tree has been a great addition to my garden.  If you have any questions or want to share your gardening experiences, please leave a comment below. Let's grow together!

Until next time, happy gardening!