- September - Painting the garden of my dreams
Monthly update from my art studio
Hello sunflowers,
Every year, I return to this garden of 550+ dahlias — and each time, it feels like stepping into a painting. This time, I captured it on film… and then brought it back to the studio to turn it into a painting filled with dahlias, heleniums, and late-summer blooms
My Month In Pictures
In August, I took some quality time off with my family, and we had a wonderful time together. Being with loved ones is so important! During our trips in the Netherlands, I gathered a wealth of inspiration (as you can see in my vlog above). Here are some highlights from the trip:
- Dyed wool at the archaeological open-air and living museum Archeon
- Beautiful ceramic shapes at the same museum
- Sunflowers 🌻
- The dahlia garden at Keukenhof Castle
- Late summer fruits such as pears and crab apples with their stunning colours
- Enjoying breakfast for lunch (I could eat breakfast all day, every day!)
- Visiting the Textile Museum in Tilburg
ART CLUB IS BACK - let’s play!
Now that I’m back from my break, I’m filled with new ideas and fun activities. I will demonstrate how to revive unfinished artworks and encourage you to approach art making with the open-mindedness of a child—without judgment, embracing fantasy and play.
Here are a few posts to get you started:
Free 7-day trial!
As many people feel inspired to start painting again after the summer break (or winter break if you're in the southern hemisphere), I’d like to encourage you with a 7-day free trial. During this trial, you can enjoy access to over 225 posts and videos featuring our drawing sessions, tutorials, my art process, lessons on colour, and much more—completely free!
Want to join us this month for a drawing session?
We have wonderful sessions planned:
Thursday 11th of September | 16:00 (4 PM) CEST
I’m so excited about hosting an art retreat in the Cotswolds next year, so let’s celebrate by taking a little trip to their cottage gardens! Grab your sketchbook and walk with me through lush, colourful, flowery gardens. Jeanne from Artful Travels will be there too, happy to answer all your questions about the retreat.
SIGN UP HERE
🎨🖼️✨ Golden Finishing Hour (paid)
Tuesday 16th of September | 16:00 (4 PM) CEST
A cosy co-sketching session to wrap up those nearly-finished pieces! Bring a sketchbook you’ve been meaning to fill or a larger artwork you've been itching to complete — let’s finish these artworks together.
SIGN UP HERE
Thursday 25th of September | 20:00 (8 PM) CEST
Join us for an experimental drawing session where paper becomes both canvas and creation. We’ll construct unique foldable booklets designed for playful, modular illustration.
SIGN UP HERE
Want to catch up on videos?
Here are my favourites from our (paid) archive:
Next Month: Trees!
This particular theme has been in high demand, and it aligns perfectly with October. Next month, our club will focus on painting trees and all the creatures that inhabit them. Additionally, I can reveal that November will build upon this theme in an exciting way!
Lovelies
Breakfast for lunch
All the woolly things (will I finally finish that scarf for Roberto this month?)
Evening light that plays with the cherry tree through our windows
"Paper is an obsession with Botanical painters" | Artist Insights - Billy Showell (YouTube video)
Thank you for taking a peek into my world! If you enjoyed this post, please consider giving it a like or leaving a comment. And take some time to explore the woods, I’ve seen loads of mushrooms already 😍
So beautiful Pauline, loved your vlog and art with all those stunning Dahlias. 🥰 I’m looking forward to a creative Fall!
Watched the vlog on YouTube but came here for the photos, I knew they would be lovely too! Happy September Pauline 🧡