Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE!  As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week let's explore different ways to find inspiration...to spark our design ideas. 

BLANK PAGE TO INSPIRATION

Do you find moments staring at a blank sheet of paper wondering when the next idea will transform? This happens to me often and I've learned the best way to move forward is to learn, listen and take in new experiences...to jolt my brain. Inspiration and new ideas happen when you shift your perspective. 

We all find inspiration in a multitude of places. I have some favorite go-to's, while other sources pop-up out of nowhere. Oh, and BTW, most of my sources of inspiration are not garden-related. It's always good to step outside your area of expertise to get new ideas, then bring them back into your world. 

MY CURRENT LIST OF INSPIRATION SPARKS

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VISIT A GARDEN

Yes!! My favorite thing to do...snoop around private gardens (with permission, of course!). There is nothing better than immersing yourself in a space to get a feel for it. What details do you like, how are the elements built, how do they work together?

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"SHOP" FOR IDEAS

My daughter and I love to shop, but not necessarily for things. Instead we "shop" for ideas. We love visiting beautiful downtown areas with lots of great stores to look at products, color schemes, fun fonts, and overall decorating ideas.

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READ A BOOK

I try to read every morning to inject new thoughts into my head. Though I read some garden books, I also read about business, education, leadership, art, creativity and general design. I'm always surprised that I learn something new each day (even if I only have ten minutes)...and that everything I read can apply to garden design.

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EXPLORE AN ANTIQUE STORE

Yes, this is similar to "shopping" for ideas, but there is something a little different about this type of inspiration. When you inject history with common objects, you tend to see the everyday from a new angle. Recently, my daughter and I found a dusty, old flat file filled with architecture drawings from the 1960s (the last image is one of them). I was over-the-top enamored (and super inspired) with the beautiful graphics and couldn't pull myself away. Seeing how something was done in the past, can give the present new life.

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COLLECT INSPIRING IMAGES

Collect images (digitally or physically) of anything that inspires you. My favorite digital platform is Pinterest since I can collect images around themes: vintage furniture, shade plants, outdoor lighting, the color pink, and anything else you can imagine. I love having a place to collect, then return to when needed...all in one tidy place. Of course, you can also cut out images and save ephemera to place in a scrapbook or on the wall too. I'm looking forward to doing this in my new studio soon. 

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TAKE A LONG WALK

Taking a walk allows "thinking" time and provides space for thoughts to percolate, mix, and transform into something awesome. We gather our inspiration through all the elements above, then you let these ideas sit (or incubate). A walk allows for collected inspiration to come to the surface (without forcing it) and turns it into something unexpected. A good night's sleep can produce the same results!

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Honestly, this list can be so much longer between visits to art museums, amazing restaurants and vibrant farmer's markets! The idea is to experience new things to help shift your perspective. It's pretty magical.

MORE INSPIRATION...on inspiration

Learn about capturing your ideas via drawings in MY SKETCHBOOK.

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Another great way to find inspiration is through MY THEME GARDEN DESIGN PROCESS.

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For a double-dose of inspiration, you're invited to join us in January for GARDEN GRAPHICS TOOL KIT,  This is a great place to refine your drawing skills, have a ton of fun, plus be part of an inspiring community. An FYI...I only teach this course once a year, so if this feels like the right time, please join us. 

LET'S DO THIS! 

Tell me what inspires you via Instagram or hit reply to this email with a photo.

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location (we've reorganized the space a bit).

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Thanks for this wonderful visit with you and happy holidays.

All my best, 

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.