Dear friend,

What's something you saw outside as a kid that you thought was just so cool??

I loved exploring outside as a kid. I'd lay in the grass and watch the little ants working together. I'd look for the little beetles and bugs, and get excited with each butterfly that I saw fly past me.

I've been thinking about inspiration lately, and the things that inspire me. And I've realized that most of the time, the things that inspire me again and again are things that inspired me as a child.

The little magical things that feel so special... the colorful feathers, the special rocks, the flower buds, the bird nests... all of the little ordinary treasures are still things that inspire me.

I think that's why I love to paint butterflies and moths and flowers so often. I like to paint other things, landscapes and animals and abstracts and sometimes I push out of my comfort zone and do people, but I'm always drawn back to the little flowers and butterflies that mesmerized me as a child.

My mom read us a book called "The Borrowers", and I don't remember much about it besides that there were little tiny people (I think they had tails?) who "borrowed" regular sized human things and repurposed them. Teacups turned upside down for tables, spools of thread for stools, and things like that.

After she read to us, I'd go outside and look at each leaf and each toy and the benches and the fire pit and wonder what it would be for a tiny person. I'd imagine a whole little world going on just out of sight. I think that's why I liked watching ants too, because it was really a little world going on just under my feet.

And all these little things might seem so trivial and childish.... but there's a magic in the little wonders of childhood that really has taught me something special.

All those tiny magical things remind me of the little moments that hide in every day life. Beautiful little moments. Laughter, and hugs, and the golden colored moon against a dusk evening sky.

Sometimes as people, I think it's easy for us to put more weight in the big things. The grand gestures, the big moments, the huge experiences, the once in a life time things, and those are great.

But there's something special about the little things. The quiet things that are wonderful. They remind me that the Lord is a caring God. That He knows our hearts and cares about them. That He knows every little detail and He likes beautiful little things too.

Because each butterfly we have pollinating the flowers and plants across the neighborhood didn't have to be created. The Lord could have created some other way to pollinate everything. Maybe just the wind or self pollinating method... but no. The Lord chose to take the time to design such a whimsical and beautiful and unique little creature like the butterflies and moths and bees.

Little creatures that delight people, little creatures that the scientific world still marvels at how it transforms, and little creatures that are so unnecessarily unique.

So when I see a butterfly or a moth of a bee, it reminds me to take notice of the little blessings, and not get too caught up in dreaming my dreams for the future that I miss out on the answered prayers before me now. It reminds me to be thankful. It reminds me that the Lord is so amazingly Good. And it gives me hope.

Do you have a favorite butterfly?? Which kind is it? I've decided I'm going to learn about butterflies and moths and the different types and possibly make a whole collection of butterfly paintings focusing on different types. Reply to this email to let me know your favorite and I'll add it to the list to research!

Happy Friday!

~Isabel Grace

P.S. The print club letters are going out this weekend! (Either today or tomorrow). If you want to read more about what this print club is you can check it out HERE. It opens again for new members on the 1st!

You can also check out new original paintings and prints on my website HERE.