Sarah Simon - Modern Watercolor Botanicals

Copyright Sarah Simon, TheMintGardener LLC, 2019

PUBLISHED BY PAIGE TATE & CO.

PAIGE TATE & CO. IS AN IMPRINT OF BLUE STAR PRESS

PO BOX 8835, BEND, OR 97708

www.paigetate.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Art & Writing by Sarah Simon

Photography by Erin Schedler

@schedlerphoto

except those specifically listed below:

The Crafters Box: , and back cover author photo

Bianca Malone:

Miranda Estes:

Book design by Amy Sly, adapted for ebook

TheMintGardener Logo by Ellen Sontra

@lettersbyellen

www.lettersbyellen.com

ISBN9781944515584

Ebook ISBN9781950968305

a_prh_5.5.0_c0_r4

DEDICATION

To Jesus, who is the Giver of all these good gifts.

To my Colin, London, and Savannah.

To my family and friends, who always believed.

To all of you, the Creatives on this journey with me.

LESSON 1 BUILD YOUR SKILLS:
Technique Boxes

LESSON 2 PLAY WITH TECHNIQUE:
Abstract Squares

LESSON 3 COLOR RECIPE:
Swatch Charts

LESSON 4 BOUNDARIES & BLENDING:
Watercolor Blocks

LESSON 5 SIMPLE STROKES:
Shapes, Marks & Lines

LESSON 6 COMPOUND STROKES:
Point-Pressure-Point Botanicals

LESSON 7 LOOSE LEAFY WREATH:
Analogous Colors

LESSON 8 PALM FRONDS:
Single Layer

LESSON 9 LOOSE PEONY:
Analogous & Complementary Colors

LESSON 10 FLORAL BOUQUET:
Layering & Complementary Colors

LESSON 11 TROPICAL LEAVES:
Layering Watercolor

LESSON 12 PLANT LADY:
Watercolor & Ink

LESSON 13 TROPICAL TERRARIUM:
Watercolor, Ink & Gouache

LESSON 14 LAYERED WREATH:
Layered Watercolor & Gouache

LESSON 15 DRAPING BOTANICALS:
Ink, Pencil, Watercolor & Gouache

LESSON 16 WILDFLOWERS:
Layering with Gouache

W E WERE SITTING IN A CIRCLE , gathered in a living room, just as we did every other Wednesday. Each of us took turns sharing about our weeks, how the kids were driving us mad, our work was overwhelming, and how we were eager to find that magical, and lets be real, unattainable notion of balance, when Sarah mentioned that she wanted to start painting again.

I remember a flutter in my soul. Something happens inside me when a woman calls upon the courage to say out loud that they are ready to invest in their own creative lives. I get a rush of excitement and I cant help busting out my pom-poms to cheer them on. Its a scary and vulnerable task and I consider it an absolute honor that I got to be in the room and then subsequently follow along as Sarah followed her curiosity, passion, and talent to find her creative soul.

From the very beginning Sarah has shared her artistic journey for the purpose of inspiring others in their own creative pursuits. Its never just been about her own desire to paint to satisfy her creativity. For Sarah, its always been about pursuing painting and bringing others into that process. Every image she shares, every post, every line she utters in her classes is created with the hope of inspiring others. And this book you hold in your hands is no different.

Sarah intimately knows how hard it is to carve out time for your creativity. When she courageously told us that she was going to start painting again she was a mother to one very young girl and pregnant with another. She had to carve out a few minutes here and there to appease her creative desires. Sarah persevered and we all got to witness magic. Through the process she continually inspired each one of us to pursue a relationship with our creativity no matter what obstacles stand in our way.

This book is your personal invitation from Sarah to become more intimately acquainted with your creativity. Sarahs voice is gentle and inviting as she reminds you that its not about the tools, supplies and money needed to invest in the craft, but its simply the belief that you are worth it. Sarah makes the art of watercolor approachable and deeply enjoyable. Whether you are a beginner or youve been painting for years I have no doubt that this book will bring a much-needed boost of inspiration and creative jolt to your artistic endeavor.

ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ

James Beard Award Finalist

Author of Date Night In and Lets Stay In

Host of award-winning video seriesKitchen Unnecessary