Currently for July...

A round-up of what July has brought

Each month as I tidy my messy desk and put away books that I have finished reading and take a moment to declutter my space, I realize that looking back at the month that is closing, I have found an abundance of ways to stay creative, inspired and organized!

Each month, I love to share snippets from my garden, books I am reading or have on the go, and what paint supplies are currently in rotation!

This week includes a little round-up of beauty, inspiration and a few of my personal recommendations.

First, let’s start with…

My garden

My garden is the main source of inspiration for me during the months from April all the way to end of October.

I installed a very small greenhouse a few years back and have made it a cosy space to grow and paint in.

I have cut flowers in my home always and use them for painting references, color ideas, or even just to inject some personality and nature into my space.

I am a big advocate for making your personal space cozy, inviting, and unique to things you love! Doing so is yet another way to express your creative side.

Here are some flowers from the garden this month - even though the bunnies helped themselves all winter and spring, I do have blooms left thankfully!

Above is a very old table I got from marketplace that sits in a corner of my living room where I placed a few key watercolor supplies and added a some things that make me feel creative and inspired; old books, a wicker basket, and of course greenery & a clipping from my beautiful David Austen Rose bush that I planted last year. Creating this space away from my studio offers a change of scenery for me where I can sit and paint for a little while.

Nothing fancy, but I decorated it so I’m inspired to sit down and move some paint around!

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen so I always have cut flowers in vases on the sills or just close by on the counter.

They offer the perfect way to examine in person; shapes of flowers, or how they change as they start to wilt and dry! Endless supply of inspiration in a tiny vessel!

Books on my coffee table…

I really enjoy reading but find it hard to sit and get a good chunk of a book read. My goal these next few months is to carve out an hour daily (perhaps late afternoon) to sit in the garden and read.

Setting that intention is making a big difference! Now that I made reading a priority, I am flying through books and may need to reinstate my library card!

Here is my current stack that I read in July! I have about a dozen or so unread books that I’d like to get through over the next few months, but here are the first few that I have read in July and highly recommend!

Strangers by Belle Burden is the first one I read. I devoured it actually. It’s really well written, easy to read and is a very honest and real account of what author Belle Burden went through when her husband walked away from their marriage and family. I think what I enjoyed most was how it was written - not vindictive, or vengeful. It’s simply an account of her story, and what she went through as she tried to navigate her husband abruptly leaving without warning during Covid, making sense of what was happening to her and her family. True story by the way. Which makes it even more interesting to me.

Next on my list to be read are two books I picked up thrifting. I love buying used books and like to keep the books I read. Not only are they reminders of what I got to experience with a book, but I like to make notes in the margins and annotate my books. A well loved book that is worn and marked up is something that I can’t resist.

The Art Thief by Michale Finkel is another true account of someone named…

Stéphane Bréitwieser who is the most prolific art thief of all time.

He pulled off more than 200 heists, often in crowded museums in broad daylight.

His girlfriend served as his accomplice.

His collection was worth an estimated $2 billion.

He never sold a piece, displaying his stolen art in his attic bedroom.

Very fascinating! I was talking about this book so much to my husband, that he decided to read it next too! The author is a journalist and his style of writing really honours both his story-telling skills and journalism style. Loved it.

Lastly in my short stack for July is, The Letters of Frida Kahlo. Before I get into what the book is about, I tried linking it on Amazon and it’s realllly expensive. Add it to your list and as you are visiting second hand book shops (in person or online), perhaps borrow it from your local library.

The only volume of its kind, The Letters of Frida Kahlo reveals fascinating details about Kahlo's romances, friendships, and business affairs in a selection of letters to friends, collectors, doctors, family, politicians, lovers, and, of course, Diego Rivera. In over 80 pieces, Kahlo discusses her art, politics, and tragedies with a passionate energy that no biographer of this important artist could ever capture.

Apparently, she was know for her great sense of humour and maybe it’s a side that not many knew about. I personally love books that are written in letter or journal style format and have a few that I can recommend if that’s what you are drawn to as well! It’s a quick read and may not be one that you want to keep in your personal library, so borrowing a copy may be the better option.

Let me know in the chat if you’ve read any of these books or want me to share more about them.

My Art Supplies…

I’ve picked up a lot of new art supplies these last two months during my travels. You would have seen a haul video from my Italy trip. After declaring I wouldn’t buy anything new for a while, I went to Opus in Victoria during my book event there and brought home a few more things that I just couldn’t resist!

I will share more of what I picked up over the next few weeks, but what I absolutely love so much are these watercolor pencils from Caran D’Ache. I have many of their watercolor pencils but every now and again, they come out with a limited edition set.

This new set is a collaboration with Paul Smith and the colors are muted, earthy and right up my ally!

I sketched with them during my morning coffee sessions while I was in Victoria and will incorporate them into August’s theme so you can see how I use them fully.

The are pigmented, creamy and dreamy to work with!

Watching this Documentary…

Jacqueline Gourevitch is a painter who was born in France in 1933. She moved to New York in 1940 with her family in order to flee the holocaust. Her paintings are in the collections of The Museum of the City of New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, The National Academy Museum, and more. To see more of her work:

Some of her soft, feathery abstract art really caught my eye and reminded me of Ann McIntosh Duff’s work!

As I wrap up this beautiful month of July, I want to remind you of our World Watercolor Month giveaway hosted by my generous publisher Quarto in support of my newest book Watercolor Made Simple Workbook. Reviews mean everything to how a book is shown to readers and book stores alike.

The best way to support your favorite books are to leave a review. As a thank you they are offering some great giveaways! All the details to enter can be found below!

Thanks for reading my round-up post, as always, join the chat and let me know what’s inspiring you this month!

Nicki

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Coming up in August…. How to use watercolor pencils as you travel, sketching how-to’s and more inspiration is coming your way!