What is Elizabeth up to at LZBTH Creative? Find Out at Studio Insiders News Read about the art and process at the Blog
November 18th, 2024
Finished reviewing Facebook analytics for the last 90 Days. Following is the Top Ten posts, which one is your favorite?
Number 1: Happy Belated Birthday and Happy Birthday
to those born in the month of November https://www.facebook.com/share/15cMaavQx3/
With a series of birth month flowers it should be easy to wish everyone a Happy Birthday at the beginning of the
month, but sometimes...it is a little belated.
Number 2: New Winter Card Release https://www.facebook.com/share/17vWCfcRKt/
A still carousel of the new Winter Cards released for the 2024 Holiday Season.
Number 3: Spied Cyanotype Bookmarks...https://www.facebook.com/share/19XvnTFkY9/
Keep an eye on University Pickers posts on Facebook or Instagram because you might catch your favorite
vendor featured.
Number 4: Check out Huntsville Blast
post on University Pickers.https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15YUHBmYTf/
Sharing a post about why University Pickers is a local standout.
Number 5: New Product!
Mid Century Modern Ornaments https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19WXfggRnM/
Hand-cut and hand-painted wood ornaments.
Number 6: Phew...
Elizabeth just finished 3 dozen cards https://www.facebook.com/reel/1231567041434169
Most of these cards are available in LZBTH Creative's Art Alcove for the 2024 Holiday Season.
Number 7: Creating Decorations https://www.facebook.com/reel/525089433649209
Decorations for the Art Alcove at University Pickers were needed for the 2024 Holiday Season. Created with
supplies on hand, found decorations for 3D paper art, and time. This one is a paper onion in white and violet.
Number 8: Additional Decorations https://www.facebook.com/reel/521573707464909
With supplies on hand, a template drawn in photoshop, pink and white, or neutral colored 3D paper mushroom
ornaments were created.
Number 9: Christmas Bell https://www.facebook.com/reel/2243176256082575
3D Paper Ornament of a Bell from an inherited stencil, watercolor cyanotype with holy leaves, and assorted gold
colored or gold foiled scrapbook paper. Ready to hang with gold embroidery thread.
Number 10: A Big Thank You https://www.facebook.com/reel/1288613339238414
Thank you kind buyers for shopping a small art business.
Follow LZBTH Creative on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lzbthcreative/
to catch Elizabeth's occasional Lives, Market Dates, Events, and more.
October 1st, 2024
The Marigold Celebrates October
This post is all about October's birth month flower, the Marigold. Since this flower is often associated with death, Elizabeth wanted to find out why.
Why Marigolds are Associated With Death
Marigold flowers play a role in Day of the Dead rituals. This holiday is observed in Mexico, where the marigold has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. Based on what Elizabeth knows about the Day of the Dead. she feels it is more of a bittersweet celebration.
October Birth Month Flower: Marigolds
Marigolds are a member of the Aster family, Asteraceae. Their genus is: Tagetes these three types can be misleading:
French (only because they became popular in French gardens)
African (because they were brought through northwest Africa along trade routes)
Pot Marigolds are of the calendula family, and are not marigolds.
The Vintage Signet Marigold
October's birth flower, the vintage annual plant—Signet Marigold—brings Autumn colors to life. With varying color combinations of yellows, oranges and reds.
Other names for the Tagetes tenuifolia:
Lemon Marigold
Striped Mexican Marigold
Symbolism of the Signet Marigold
Were once known as Mary's gold, might have been named for the Virgin Mary.
Due to their strong smell, Marigolds were once thought to be poisonous.
The colors and petals represent rays, and had this flower associated with the Sun.
Viewed as a guide to the afterlife, even associated with resurrection.
In the past the marigold flower was associated with death and grief. Most now view these flowers as optimistic and full of cheer and joy.
Greek and Romans found medicinal purposes for these flowers, as well as a use in dying fabrics and creating cosmetics.
Deer and Rabbits tend to be repelled by this plant.
Happy Birthday to You if October is your Birth Month.
Not your birth month?
Find yours on the blog at: https://lzbthcreative.com/myblog.html
Your painterly Artist,
Elizabeth
If you wish to learn more my resources were: (external links)
June 19th, 2024
Water Lily, Fish, and a Canoe
What do Lilies and Fish have to do with one another? July's Birth flower, the water lily. Made famous by Monet, he painted 200+ water lilies, they are Monet's flower.
Elizabeth's story of the Water Lily
Water lily ponds are a place of quiet reflection, the depths of the water create deep cool shadows that mesmerize. Flecks of orange, signaling koi, capture ones attention. The play of green in sunlight and shadow. The pops of magenta, pink, and yellows of the water lily flowers calls for more attention. Sitting at one of these ponds, quiets the busy mind. Sometimes life calls us to find a place so we can reflect or meditate. This is the story Elizabeth wished to bring to the latest watercolor art.
July Birth Month Flower: Water Lily
Water Lily family Nymphaeaceae containing 58 species. Genus Nympaea (water lilies proper of 46 species). The North American pond lily (usually white) is Nymphaea odorata. Water lilies are either tropical or hardy, both are perennials.
The amazon water lily pads grow up to 8 feet in diameter!
Water lilies are their own ecosystem:
Water lilies, grown from rhizomes, are their own ecosystem in these ways:
Shade from the lily pad reduces algae growth
Fish and wildlife appreciate the plant as a food source
The plant acts as a filter
Symbolism of the Water Lily
A resource mentioned that:
In Buddhism the water lily symbolize rebirth, because it opens and closes each day.
They also symbolize enlightenment. Because these beautiful flowers emerge from a dark, and usually dirty, pond.
It also represents:
Bangladesh, as its national flower.
The white Water lily represents purity and innocence
The pink Water lily is about new beginnings and energy
In the past the root has been used to treat insomnia, anxiety and act as a painkiller or anti-inflammatory.
About the Canoe
On a Girl Scout canoe trip, one of Elizabeth's canoe mates wanted to try and pick a water lily. After much arguing, plus her attempts to see what a lily pad was made of, she realized paddling through the pads to get to a flower, couldn't happen. On that note. . .
If July is you Birthday month, Happy Birthday to You!
Not your birthday month?
Find yours on the blog at: https://lzbthcreative.com/myblog.html
Your painterly Artist,
Elizabeth
If you wish to learn more my resources were:
June 19th, 2024
Golden Flower
This post is all about November's birth month flower, the Chrysanthemum.
November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemums
The word Chrysanthemum is from two Greek words:
chrys meaning golden
anthemion meaning flower
With this in mind I sought out reference photos with golden colored flowers. Their name is also shortened to Mums, and are of the genus Chrysanthemum. Mums bring to mind the sun's rays stretching through the sky. Found at Morgue Files (free photographs for commercial use website) a variety of flowers falling under the search Chrysanthemum. Did you know? There are over a thousand varieties! Finding a few photographs, decided to focus on the bright yellow one that filled the canvas.
About the Chrysanthemum
Mums are celebrated in Japan with the Festival of Happiness. References of these flowers date back to the 15th century B.C. in Asia. The Chinese believe Mums can prevent gray hair (Elizabeth wishes she knew this sooner). Confucius suggested these flowers as an object for meditation. Most are edible, but don't pluck straight from the garden. Instead visit an Asian market for tea or leaves to cook or eat in your salad. This brings back a memory of trying flowering tea from China. Recalling it might have been chrysanthemum, and it tasted similar to chamomile tea.
In Chinese culture it is 1 of 4 noble plants, the Mum represents fall and nobility.
In China they are seen to represent luck and wealth.
Mums are often given during the Chinese New Year celebration.
In most parts of the United States this flower represents joy and optimism.
The Victorians saw yellow representing sorrow, and used this flower to decorate funeral homes.
Mums can repel mosquitoes!
Happy Birthday to You if November is your Birthday Month
Not your birthday month?
Find yours on the blog at: https://lzbthcreative.pixels.com/myblog.html
Your painterly Artist,
Elizabeth
If you wish to learn more my resources were:
June 19th, 2024
What Is That Stalk Growing in the Garden?
We'll get to that question in a moment, first wishing those born in August, Happy Birthday!
This post is all about August's birth month flower, Gladiolus.
The Answer to the Question:
Turns out the stalk growing in the garden was a gladiolus. It had never made an appearance since moving to this home seven plus years ago. Did you know that Gladioli is plural for many gladiolus stalks? There was only one stalk with scarlet and white ruffly flowers. Gladly growing right next to a stepping stone. There was also a katydid hanging out on the flower stalk.
Working Through the Process
This painting was one that had many ugly phases. Working at trusting the process was difficult. Glazing watercolors (painting one layer of paint over another), walking away, rethinking, and continuing. Reaching the finish line was a challenge. The aim was to focus on the brilliant scarlet color, deep shadows, contrasting with the white. The katydid needed to visit too. This piece is more than watercolor, white acrylic ink, gouache for the katydid with a touch of black pen were also used. My painting guidelines were drawn with watersoluble inktense pencil, the colors just blend into the watercolor paint.
August Birth Flower: Gladioulus (aka Glads)
The Gladiolus is in the Iris family Iridaceae, and the Genus name is Gladiolus, from the Latin gladius (sword). There are over 300 species, with miniature to large flowers. Flowers open from the bottom of the stalk, to the top, in mid to late summer.
The stalks of Glads can be 2-5 feet tall
Flowers are 3 to 5 inches wide
Have up to 18 trumpet shaped flowers on one stalk!
Symbolism of Gladioulus
Roman spectators would cover the winning gladiator in these colorful blooms.
The flower symbolizes endurance, integrity and strength.
The plant is also known as the Sword Lily.
In Victorian times it represented someone having pierced another's heart, in infatuation.
It is also the traditional flower for 40th wedding anniversaries.
This flower is native to Africa and the Mediterranean area.
At the turn of the 20th century Gladioli arrived in the United States.
Happy Birthday to You if August is your birthday month.
Not your birth month?
Visit the blog at: https://lzbthcreative.com/myblog.html to find yours.
Your painterly Artist,
Elizabeth
If you wish to learn more my resources were:
June 19th, 2024
We'll get to that question in a moment, first I want to wish those born in September, Happy Birthday! This post is all about September's birth month flowers, the Aster and Morning Glory. Since these two species are occasionally referred to as a weed I began wondering
"What was the difference between a wildflower and a weed?"
If the plant is not desirable and you feel it is taking over it's a weed. I tend to leave and let be to see if it is a beneficial plant, that sowed itself by wind or birds, and perhaps fills in a hole in the garden with pretty flowers, commonly referred to as a wildflower. Besides, think about last month when a rhizome finally finally grew into a pretty gladiolus, you never know what beautiful surprise might show up on property that has had a few owners.
Asters are part of the Daisy family Asteraceae, and with hundreds of aster species the count is uncertain, even bigger change occured when when North American Asters were classified under the genus Symphyotrichum the true aster is native to Europe and Asia.
Morning Glories are related to sweet potatoes, they have the same heart shaped leaves that trail along a vine. They belong to the genus Ipomoea, most common adds purpurea for the blue violet flowers. Their name derives from the habit of opening in the morning, and closing in the afternoon. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to their trumpet shape.
Aster is a Greek word meaning star, due to the flowers appearing like one. Romans and Greeks saw them as sacred, burned their leaves to scare off snakes and evil spirits, and thought that the tears of Astraea, goddess of justice and innocence, created the first asters. It is suggested to give asters on 20th wedding anniversaries. In the past these flowers were used to treat:
headaches
hangovers
epilepsy
Artists who painted: Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.
Not a painting but Robert Frost used this flower as a symbol of hope.
Morning Glories have been associated with love, but each color still holding its' own meaning:
blue is enduring love
purple hopefulness, and grace
pink gratitude
red strength and passion
white purity and innocence
Native to Central America and Mexico, and known to be a poisonous plant. Yellowstone National Park apparently has a pool named Morning Glory because of its' shape.
Artist who painted: Georgia O'Keefe
These flowers were inspired by thoughts of the morning glories growing at a previous home along the porch rails and greeted me each morning, and by the asters that grow at my current home that I am always trying to save from the weed wacker and have learned they don't appear to like being transplanted, but maybe I'll be surprised next spring. I have named this new painting Morning Glories and Asters with the Garden Post.
May your days be cooling into a beautiful autumn day.
Your Painterly Artist,
Elizabeth
If you wish to learn more about this flower my resources of information were:
Almanac - September Birth Flowers
April 24th, 2024
We'll get to the questions in a moment, but first, Happy Birthday, to those born in the Month of May. This post is all about May's birth month flower, Lily-of-the-Valley.
Without a living specimen available to me I had to seek out reference photos that were commercial free. Meaning I could use them to paint from and still be able to sell my art and any art prints or products.
The questions started because of the small number of photos available. Leaving me remembering the last time I saw these flowers were street vendors in Helsinki Finland, wish I had purchased a bouquet for a thorough photo shoot in the hotel room.
Some of the questions I asked myself:
What would this flower look like in a garden?
Up close, from far away?
What is the actual size of the leaves, the flowers, the stems height?
Those lines you see in the leaves, can you see them from a distance?
Are they really that distinct?
All those green hues. . . you get the picture. I felt I had more questions than answers.
What Was Learned
6 to 12 inches tall
With two or three leaves
The flowering stem rises from the center of the leaves.
After learning something about the plant, next was discovering a composition for this birthday flower. A few sketches, six painting attempts and several color swatches later, a final painting.
May Birth Month Flower: Lily-of-the-valley
The lily-of-the-valley goes by many names and is not a lily, this flower is in the family Asparagaceae (aka asparagus), and botanical name Convallaria majalis from the Latin convallis meaning valley.
Our Lady's Tears
Lady's Tears
Mary's Tears
Mayflower
May Lily
May Bells
Mayflower
As you can guess by the names these flowers are bell shaped, while white is the most common, one might find them sporting pink or purple blossoms. This plant is considered toxic, hardy, great for ground cover, but beware in the right conditions it can grow and spread quickly.
Symbolism of Lily-of-the-Valley
Associated with motherhood
Sweetness
Purity and humility
As well as a return to happiness
Looking at when these flowers bloom in Spring I would say they certainly could be blooming as we leave the winter blues behind.
Why Mary's Tears? In Christian lore it is said these are from Eve's tears after being expelled from the Garden of Eden, and has been associated with Mary's tears sprouting these flowers at the site of Christ's crucifixion.
King Charles was gifted this flower for good luck on May Day, and he continued the tradition of gifting this flower on that day.
The fragrance of these flowers makes it popular for weddings, in Holland newlyweds plant them in their gardens to bring luck to the marriage.
Apparently if I want to see these in person I need to visit Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, sine apparently these flowers are planted their, or revisit Finland, where Lily-of-the-valley is the national flower.
Happy Birthday to You if May is your birthday month.
View the Art and products of the Lily-of-the-valley.
If you wish to learn more about this flower my resources of information were:
Your Painterly Artist,
Elizabeth
March 26th, 2024
Huntsville, AL Artist Elizabeth Reich of LZBTH Creative Content Cloud Studies Selected for an Alabama Women's Caucus of Art (ALWCA) Group Exhibit with Huntsville Hospital, Aims.
Cloud Studies Selected
Artist Elizabeth Reich of LZBTH Creative Cloud Studies pieces selected by ALWCA Exhibition Committee for: Calm Huntsville Hospital, Aims and Alabama Women's Caucus for Art (ALWCA) March 4-30, 2024 No opening or closing reception. Art will be displayed throughout Huntsville Hospital. 2024 is year 6 for a collaborative and diverse exhibition showcasing ALWCA members.
Pictured
A 20"x20" Polyptych of Watercolor Cloud Studies:
1. Spring Sky Cloudy Day – Stratocumulus Floccus Clouds
2. Sunrise Cumulus Clouds
3. Spring Sky Cloudy Day – Stratocumulus Clouds
4. Morning Clouds – Altocumulus Clouds
(top to bottom, left to right)
Clouds are Calming
When life gets a little much Elizabeth heads outside for a walk. Studying clouds, and taking in the natural world, or a colorful flower garden. This has always distracted her from the current troubles. She finds clouds fascinating. Their movement, how you can identify shapes of animals within them, and how light and color plays off of the clouds. This leaves Elizabeth restored.
What Inspired the Cloud Paintings
These studies were a focus on developing artistic skills in painting different types of clouds, as well as light and color play.
About the Artist
LZBTH Creative Content works with nature and floral paintings, as wells as surface pattern design. When painting, founder Elizabeth Reich sets out to portray the emotions felt and the view seen, when the natural element(s) inspired the question "How would this be painted?" Elizabeth is not a watercolor traditionalist, she enjoys exploring other mediums to mix with watercolors to achieve the feeling and visual scene that inspired the art. Elizabeth returned to art 10 years ago, after a moment of introspection she asked herself "What would my 8 year old self want to do?" The answer was "Watercolor!" The journey continues with loose and painterly paintings, what she calls "playing in colorful puddles." Elizabeth's artwork is inspired by nature and colorful gardens, reminders of past homes in New England and home in Huntsville, Alabama.
Elizabeth's Mission
To bring the gift nature offers her to the art viewer. Elizabeth sees her art as not just pretty, but a bridge between chaos and serenity. May these Cloud Studies bring you a moment of Calm.
Virtual Tour of Calm by ArtsInMedicine, Powered by kuula
March 22nd, 2024
In 2022 the spring Equinox was the 20th of March, by the 26th Elizabeth had had enough of the roller coaster temperatures and planted some seeds – peas, beans, squash, and potatoes. She was also ready to bring more spring colors to her paintings and April's birth month flowers challenged her to accomplish that.
April's Birth Month Flowers: Sweet Pea and Daisy
Sweet Peas are related to beans and other legumes, a close relative to the crop pea, however it is not edible. It is was discovered in Italy in the late 1600s by a monk, who is said to have sent the seeds to botanist Dr. Robert Uvedale who began the sweat peas' spread in Europe. Genus Lathyrus odoratus Family Fabaceae (legumes), there are hundreds of varieties and a wide range of colors (Elizabeth can attest to this after searching for reference photos).
Daisies are native to Europe and Africa and belong to the aster family, Asteraceae, that includes sunflowers. Its scientific name, Compositae, was classified in the late 1700s by German botanist Paul Dietrich Giseke. Daisies date back to Egyptian gardens and were used for medicine.
Symbolism of Sweet Pea and Daisy Flowers
A Sweet Pea bouquet in flower language means goodbye, thank you, good wishes, kindness, gratitude and friendship. Their scent is likened to oranges or jasmine and at one point were placed in pockets to provide fragrance to clothing. In France this flower has been a tradition as gifts for the bride and is scene as providing luck.
Did you know the center eye of the Daisy is a flower too? Known as a disc floret. The daisy has two flowers – when you include the outer petals. Because of this the daisy has been a symbol of true love, (anyone with a Princess Bride movie clip running in their head?). Daisy lore goes as far back as the Celtics. It seems the word Daisy is bellis in Latin, from the nymph Belides who turned herself into a daisy to escape the god Vertumnus' affections. He was the god of gardens and seasons. It is also attributed to the words "day's eye" influenced by the English daisy that opens during the day and closes at night. Daisies are about keeping secrets, love, innocence and new beginnings.
Elizabeth wanted to bring these two flowers together as a bouquet (aka a posy), they have a beautiful symbolic sentiment for the beginning of spring, and looking for contrast she sought out vintage color palettes for the sweet pea. This painting is called Promising Beginnings inspired by the flowers symbolic meanings.
March 4th, 2024
Elizabeth has a fascination with the symbolism of flowers. When she explored the sunflower, she found that it is tied to women's contribution to American History. March is the month women's role in American history is commemorated and studied.
Van Gogh may have proclaimed the sunflower his, but Elizabeth Cady Stanton made it her own. Using it as a pen name when she wrote for the temperance-focused newspaper The Lily. Later the sunflower became a symbol for women suffragists.
Inspiration for this sunflower watercolor painting occurred while Elizabeth was taking a class on Botanical Illustration. An area of art and science open to women for ages. While dissecting sunflowers Elizabeth was inspired by the flower when it was cut in half.
Traditionally, a scientific botanical illustration aims to show all aspects of a botanical specimen, and how it differs from other species. With accuracy in rendering, scale, and color, set against the white of the paper. The final composition is a contemporary twist, rather than staying with tradition.
Find out about Scientific Botanical Illustration here: www.botanicalartandartists.com/scientific-botanical-illustration.html
A sign of optimism and joy. Kansas suffragists adopted the sunflower for its gold color. They viewed it as "[...] gold, the color of light and life, is as the torch that guides our purpose, pure and unswerving." (www.nps.gov/articles/symbols-of-the-women-s-suffrage-movement.htm)
LZBTH Creative Content works with nature and floral paintings, as-well-as surface pattern design. When painting, founder Elizabeth sets out to portray the emotions felt and the view seen when the natural element(s) inspired the question: "How would this be painted?" Elizabeth's artwork is inspired by nature and colorful gardens, reminders of past homes in New England and homes in Huntsville, Alabama. Learn about Elizabeth and her mixed media watercolors at: www.lzbthcreative.com
To learn more about Women's History month visit: www.womenshistorymonth.gov/
