Words and Wildflowers Creative Prompts – Issue 23
Posted on December 2, 2024
We LOVE research and learning as a way to get inspired and boost ideas and creativity!! So, Kenzie and I are going to be sharing the inspiration that we collect here in our second newsletter…. once a week!!!
Here’s how it works:
We provide the inspiration. You interpret it however you wish… any medium, any size. It is meant to inspire lettering and floral art combined together. But, you can:
- Just do the florals, just do the lettering, or combine them together.
- Use the provided quote for your piece or select your own.
- Use colors from one of the inspiration images or select your own favorites
- Create the floral art… as a still life in a vase, a single flower, a border, a pattern, a bouquet
Hope you will create with us and post your work at #wordsandwildflowers2024 and tag @lorisiebert.studio and @snippetsofwhimsy
We will be checking and sharing some of our favorites. AND… there may be surprise guest judges and PRIZES!!!
Quote of the week…
‘Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.’
— Vincent Van Gogh
Inspirational Artist of the Week… Birger Kaipiainen
Birger Johannes Kaipiainen (1 July 1915 – 18 July 1988) was a Finnish ceramist and designer. He is one of the most successful and well-known ceramic artists in Finland.
Kaipiainen graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts (later known as the Aalto School of Arts of Helsinki.) After that he went to work for Finnish ceramics company Arabia in 1937, and later in 1954 for their Swedish sister company Rörstrand. Kaipiainen worked as a designer for Arabia over fifty years. As a child he was Kaipiainen suffered from Polio and was consequently unable to use a pottery wheel. It was said that his illness heightened his artistic sensitivity.
Kaipiainen was nicknamed “the king of decorators”, for his nostalgic, romantic and highly decorative ceramic designs, at a time when minimalism was the prevailing trend in Finnish ceramics. He is known for repeatedly using the same signature nature inspired motifs, such as violets and curlews. His most famous designs were made at the Arabia ceramics factory. For example, the Paratiisi (Paradise) series, designed in 1969, which is still in production. Paratiisi was one of the first silkscreen printed series made by Arabia. Another noted design by Kaipiainen, the Sunnuntai (Sunday) series designed in 1971 was brought back into production by the Arabia company in 2019.






Handlettering Inspiration of the week… Squeak
Squeak Carnwath (born 1947) is an American contemporary painter and arts educator. She is a professor emerita of art at the University of California, Berkeley. She has a studio in Oakland, California, where she has lived and worked since 1970.
Carnwath has a distinctive and recognizable style which combines diaristic and personal elements with universal or existential themes. Her paintings “combine text and images on abstract fields of color to express sociopolitical and spiritual concerns.”




We are going to have the time of our lives!!! COME JOIN US!!!
Posted on November 29, 2024
Guess what????
We are offering a Holiday DISCOUNT CODE for the Live Courageously: REBLOOM Conference next May. We have been lovingly planning this event for over a year!!!
Use DISCOUNT CODE : REBLOOM305 for savings of over $300.00!
Live Courageously: Rebloom Conference FAQ’s
What should I expect to take away from this experience?
- a network of new contacts and friends to support you moving forward
- guidance for setting and achieving your goals
- inspiration for creating your community through social media and marketing
- more confidence to face fears and craft a more authentic life
- new ideas for how to live more creatively
Use DISCOUNT CODE : REBLOOM305 for savings of over $300.00!
What is included?
- Dynamic, empowering presentations by over 10 powerhouse speakers
- Creative sessions led by two whimsical and fun artists(for any skill level)
- An opening meet and greet cocktail party
- 2 delicious catered lunches
- A closing pizza party with a DJ
- A beautiful swag bag
- Cozy places on property to work, rest, or mingle through out the retreat
- Transportation to and from Madison to Richwood at assigned times and locations
- Soda, water, coffee, tea and snacks
- Food options for dietary restrictions
- Art supplies for the creative sessions
Where can I stay?
There are many great air bnb’s and hotels to book in Madison, Indiana… the MOST ADORABLE NEARBY TOWN. It is about 10 minutes from Richwood on the River. We will be running shuttles each day from specified pick up spots to Richwood each day. The full list can be found on the website.
How many people will be attending the conference?
We are planning for anywhere from 50-100 attendees. We are marketing to and focusing on women. We want this conference to be about supporting them in growth and transformation.
What is special about this event?
Cara, Colleen and myself have been planning this for well over a year. The Richwood on the River property is truly magical. The speakers were carefully hand picked for their dynamic messaging and expertise. We will make sure that you are well taken care of with beautiful inspiration for your mind, food for your body and creativity and fun for your soul.
Why should you attend?
This will be an investment in YOU. We guarantee that you will learn a lot, make new valuable connections and HAVE A BLAST!!!!
Use DISCOUNT CODE : REBLOOM305 for savings of over $300.00!

Words and Wildflowers Creative Prompts – Issue 22
Posted on November 25, 2024
We LOVE research and learning as a way to get inspired and boost ideas and creativity!! So, Kenzie and I are going to be sharing the inspiration that we collect here in our second newsletter…. once a week!!!
Here’s how it works:
We provide the inspiration. You interpret it however you wish… any medium, any size. It is meant to inspire lettering and floral art combined together. But, you can:
- Just do the florals, just do the lettering, or combine them together.
- Use the provided quote for your piece or select your own.
- Use colors from one of the inspiration images or select your own favorites
- Create the floral art… as a still life in a vase, a single flower, a border, a pattern, a bouquet
Hope you will create with us and post your work at #wordsandwildflowers2024 and tag @lorisiebert.studio and @snippetsofwhimsy
We will be checking and sharing some of our favorites. AND… there may be surprise guest judges and PRIZES!!!
Quote of the week…
“Creativity itself doesn’t care at all about results – the only thing it craves is the process. Learn to love the process and let whatever happens next happen.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert
Inspirational Artist of the week… Sarah Raphael Balme
Sarah Raphael Balme is a British artist who graduated from Chelsea College of Arts and gained degree in illustration. Her layered paintings tell a story never short of colour, form and texture. Balme’s work is inspired by nature and animals. From whimsical paintings of animals to deep portraits, her stunning paintings have been transformed onto ceramics, fabric, cushions and wallpaper. She grew up surrounded by artists, her mother was a painter and her dad wrote academic books. Her childhood was spent in a bohemian North London house that influenced her career as an artist.





Hand lettering Inspiration of the week… Cecil Beaton
Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton CBE (14 January 1904 – 18 January 1980) was a British fashion, portrait and war photographer, diarist, painter, and interior designer, as well as costume designer and set designer for stage and screen. His accolades includes three Academy Awards and four Tony Awards.






Our Portugal retreat is already half full!!! The spaces are limited!!
Posted on November 22, 2024
Join Kenzie and I for a whimsical art retreat next October 17-24 2025 set against the stunning backdrop of southern Portugal.
Explore the beauty of florals and lettering through a mix of fun and playful techniques and creative challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll walk away with a deeper connection to your craft, new skills in mixed media, and a portfolio filled with stunning florals and expressive lettering.




Throughout the retreat, you’ll dive into engaging mixed media techniques, using watercolor, acrylics, cut foam stamps, pens, and markers. Lori and Kenzie will hold daily classes, demonstrations, and hands-on practice sessions, where you may experiment with bold color palettes, playful textures, and fluid forms.




The first half of the week will be dedicated to exploring florals in depth. Learn various approaches to creating vibrant blooms and delicate abstract designs. As the week progresses, the focus shifts to lettering. Study techniques for crafting expressive, flowing letterforms that pair beautifully with your floral work. On the final morning, bring florals and lettering together in a harmonious composition and blend the skills developed into unique pieces. The retreat culminates in a mini-exhibition, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your work with fellow artists and celebrate your creative journey.




By the end of the week, you’ll leave with new techniques, a personal collection of floral and lettering creations, and memories of an unforgettable artistic adventure.
What’s included:
- Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artists Lori Siebert and Kenzie Elston
- 7 nights of accommodation at a Portuguese Quinta
- Exclusive use of the entire property with living quarters, art studio, 2.5 acres of botanical gardens, terraces, swimming pool, and common areas
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners (all meals) carefully prepared by your private chef. All dietary requirements catered for, except life-threatening allergies
- Local wine during dinner service
- Snacks, coffee, tea, and infused water available throughout the day
- Sailing trip in a traditional boat to nearby grottoes
- Trip to the Lagos historic town with a walking tour and time for shopping, sketching, and a beach visit
- Private transportation for all planned activities
- Round-trip transfers from/to Faro Airport (FAO) at pre-arranged times
- Fully-staffed venue, experienced UpTrek host available throughout the week
- All local tourist taxes and fees
- Access to a private Facebook group with Lori Siebert, Kenzie Elston, and the other retreat participants four months before the retreat
Not included:
- Airfare
- Travel insurance
- Art materials—a list of art materials recommended by artists Lori Siebert and Kenzie Elston will be provided five months before the retreat
- Tips for staff (tipping is customary in Portugal)
- Other expenses guests might incur on their own
Words and Wildflowers Creative Prompts – Issue 21
Posted on November 18, 2024
We LOVE research and learning as a way to get inspired and boost ideas and creativity!! So, Kenzie and I are going to be sharing the inspiration that we collect here in our second newsletter…. once a week!!!

Here’s how it works:
We provide the inspiration. You interpret it however you wish… any medium, any size. It is meant to inspire lettering and floral art combined together. But, you can:
- Just do the florals, just do the lettering, or combine them together.
- Use the provided quote for your piece or select your own.
- Use colors from one of the inspiration images or select your own favorites
- Create the floral art… as a still life in a vase, a single flower, a border, a pattern, a bouquet
Hope you will create with us and post your work at #wordsandwildflowers2024 and tag @lorisiebert.studio and @snippetsofwhimsy
We will be checking and sharing some of our favorites. AND… there may be surprise guest judges and PRIZES!!!
Quote of the week:
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
-Mahatma Ghandi
Inspirational Artist of the week…Olaf Hajek
Olaf Hajek was born in Rendsburg, Germany. After he finished his degree in graphic design at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, he moved to Amsterdam and began to work as a freelance artist.
Olaf primarily lives and works in Berlin, but travels frequently and is represented by an agency on nearly every continent.
A technically perfect illustrator, he creates enchanting visual patterns, scenes and creative characters in which nature and artifice are intertwined. Olaf collects mental images everywhere he goes: on his travels, in magazines, or on the internet.
African traditions, Indian temple art, South American folklore, and pop culture are all expressed in new ways in his almost surreal tableaux.
He plays with motifs of flora and fauna, archaic symbols and current themes, working them all into his pieces in great detail and vibrant colour.
His personal work has been exhibited in solo exhibitions in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Atlanta and Cape Town.






Hand lettering inspiration of the week…Sabrina Ward Harrison
Sabrina Ward Harrison published her first book, Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself, at the age of 23. Written between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, Spilling Open was an intimate and moving picture of the contradictions young women face as they are asked to grow into societal norms of femininity. Her tender honesty and singular aesthetic energy turned Harrison into the voice of a generation.





Four Findings-Issue 145
Posted on November 15, 2024


Square Foot Show
I will have three 12 x 12 mixed media florals in this on-line show. It runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Sign up for more details.
Anitha N
Swooning over the Siddi quilts in this feed. Incredible use of upcylced fabrics. The colors… gah!!! I am compelled to start sewing again.


Lily Anna Armstrong
The quirky pieces by this ceramic artist lit me up!! So much storytelling in every single piece. LOVE!!!!!!
Lania the artist
You will fall in love with this artist!!! Her messaging and the energetic way she delivers it… captivating and inspiring!!!!



Words and Wildflowers Creative Prompts – Issue 20
Posted on November 11, 2024
We LOVE research and learning as a way to get inspired and boost ideas and creativity!! So, Kenzie and I are going to be sharing the inspiration that we collect here in our second newsletter…. once a week!!!

Here’s how it works:
We provide the inspiration. You interpret it however you wish… any medium, any size. It is meant to inspire lettering and floral art combined together. But, you can:
- Just do the florals, just do the lettering, or combine them together.
- Use the provided quote for your piece or select your own.
- Use colors from one of the inspiration images or select your own favorites
- Create the floral art… as a still life in a vase, a single flower, a border, a pattern, a bouquet
Hope you will create with us and post your work at #wordsandwildflowers2024 and tag @lorisiebert.studio and @snippetsofwhimsy
We will be checking and sharing some of our favorites. AND… there may be surprise guest judges and PRIZES!!!
Quote of the week:
“Serious art is born from serious play.”
― Julia Cameron
Inspirational Artist of the week… Enid Collins
Enid Collins, was the designer of the handbag company known as Collins of Texas. By the 1960s, her colorful jeweled totes and box bags were in every major department store in the country. Her unique design style became a folk art icon of the time, and her handbags and accessories are still collectable today.
While my father and many others are a part of this story, it is Enid who commands center stage. She commands, not only because of her talent, but also because of the strength of her personality. She was probably the most real person I ever knew. She was forgiving and compassionate but not gushy. She expected—she demanded—the best from others. She was never fooled by foolishness. People were afraid of her and loved her at the same time. She was a full-time businesswoman in a world of sometimes condescending men, and at the same time she was a full-time loving mother.
She and her husband did not set out to make ladies’ handbags. Her husband wanted to ranch but knew little about it. They worked in a war plant during WWII and saved their money to make a down payment on a ranch in the hill country of Texas. Making handbags grew out of their need to make a living. Collin bags were very important in the fashion world of the 1960s, and to many vintage collectors today.






Handlettering inspiration of the week… Jeffrey Fisher
Jeffrey Fisher hails from Melbourne Australia where he studied Fine Art – Film and Animation at Preston Institute of Technology in the 70s. He lived in London for a while before settling down in France in 1993. The bulk of Jeff’s work has been book cover design as well as working in design and exhibiting regularly in Paris and London.





Four Findings for Curious Creatives-Issue 144
Posted on November 8, 2024


Mary Jo Hoffman
In a recent devastating fire, Mary Jo lost her studio and it’s contents. We can lend a little help by ordering her gorgeous book… STILL.
Jesse -Sierra Ross
My friend, Jesse, has created the most beautiful book. It includes delicious recipes and inspiring ideas for creative entertaining. Check it out!


2024 Surface Design Industry Survey Details
This annual survey is helpful in determining industry statistics. If you are a surface pattern designer, it would be very helpful if you would kindly take the time to fill this out!!
Girls Night Out at ADC Gallery
A fun night out at the beautiful ADC Gallery in Cincinnati on November 22nd 5:00-8:00 … champagne bar, light bites, and mingling!!



Words and Wildflowers Creative Prompts – Issue 19
Posted on November 4, 2024
We LOVE research and learning as a way to get inspired and boost ideas and creativity!! So, Kenzie and I are going to be sharing the inspiration that we collect here in our second newsletter…. once a week!!!

Here’s how it works:
We provide the inspiration. You interpret it however you wish… any medium, any size. It is meant to inspire lettering and floral art combined together. But, you can:
- Just do the florals, just do the lettering, or combine them together.
- Use the provided quote for your piece or select your own.
- Use colors from one of the inspiration images or select your own favorites
- Create the floral art… as a still life in a vase, a single flower, a border, a pattern, a bouquet
Hope you will create with us and post your work at #wordsandwildflowers2024 and tag @lorisiebert.studio and @snippetsofwhimsy
We will be checking and sharing some of our favorites. AND… there may be surprise guest judges and PRIZES!!!
Quote of the week:
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
—Nelson Mandela
Inspirational Art of the week… Bisa Butler
Bisa Butler (born Mailissa Yamba Butler in 1973) is an American fiber artist who has created a new genre of quilting that has transformed the medium. Although quilting has long been considered a craft, her interdisciplinary methods—which create quilts that look like paintings—have catapulted quilting into the field of fine art. She is known for her vibrant, quilted portraits celebrating Black life, portraying both everyday people and notable historical figures. Her works now count among the permanent collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Art Institute of Chicago, Pérez Art Museum Miami and about a dozen other art museums nationwide. She has also exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the Epcot Center, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and many other venues. In 2020, she was commissioned to quilt cover images for Time magazine, including the “Person of the Year” issue and its “100 Women of the Year” issue. With a multi-year wait list for private commissions, one of Butler’s quilts sold at auction in 2021 for $75,000 USD. She is known for her vibrantly stunning larger than life sized quilted portraits that captivate viewers around the world.





Lettering inspiration of the Week… Alexander Girard
Girard is widely known for his contributions in the field of American textile design, particularly through his work for Herman Miller (1952 to 1973), where he created fabrics for the designs of George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames.
His work also includes designing the La Fonda del Sol Restaurant in New York (1960), the Herman Miller Showplace: T&O (Textiles and Objects) (1961), Braniff International Airways(1965), and the Girard Foundation (1962), which houses his extensive folk art collection. He and his wife, Susan Girard, amassed a remarkable collection of artifacts consisting of folk art, popular art, toys, and textiles from around the world, which is displayed through the Girard Foundation, founded 1962. One of the artists Girard supported was Cochiti Pueblo potter Helen Cordero, the creator of Storyteller pottery figurines.







Four Findings for Curious Creatives-Issue 143
Posted on November 1, 2024


Meg Loeks
We just interviewed this amazing fine art photographer for an upcoming episode of our podcast. I am totally enamored with her rich, engaging images!
Patrick Prosko
Be prepared to be BLOWN AWAY by the 3-D creations by this artist. Mind blowing! How DOES HE DO IT??


Heike Mardo
Loving the fine art photography and paper collages by this artist! I may have to try a collage on one of my magazine page makeovers… hmmmm?
Dolan Geiman
This incredible image by Dolan Geiman seemed perfect for this week. Praying hard for peace and less division in our country.



