While I was in Cleveland to film the new season of Make It Artsy, I spent about an hour at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.  While not an art museum, the Botanical Garden offers a great deal for an artist to take away.  For me, the top two take aways are:

  • Inspiration for drawing: leaves, flowers, animals, and more.  I find myself especially drawn to plants, flowers, and animals that I don't often see around me at home.
  • Color Palettes: Mother Nature is a wonderful artist and puts together fascinating combinations of colors that work in harmony.

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden

 

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Gardenm

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Cleveland Botanical Garden
It's tempting to scroll through all these photos and think, "How pretty."  But, I encourage you to grab just ten minutes and see what you can come up with inspired by one or many of these photos.  It doesn't have to be great art.  Just something that processes the information jangling in your brain.  Here's what I did in just ten minutes on an 8.5×11 piece of cardstock:

BotanicalGardenInspired-wm

Can you guess which photo this painting is based on?  It feels super obvious to me, but perhaps I've abstracted the image more than I realized…?

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

70 thoughts on “Cleveland Botanical Garden

  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • Julie, I am a avid fan from Whims-so-Doodle years ago….I now live in Georgia………but lived in Cleveland Ohio for 40+ years. Taking me back to the Botanical Gardens was such a treat !!! Thank you Thank you !!

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • picture 12 maybe.

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • Yes, pic 12! Wonderful photos. Especially the one of both of you. So happy for you. Thanks for the tour. You are the best!

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • I agree – I think picture #12 was the inspiration.
    Thank you very much for the prompt at the end, Julie. You’re right…grab 10 minutes and make some art! I hope to follow your lead when I get home from work, tonight.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • You really did yourself a favor going to these gardens. They are quite beautiful. As someone who draws and paints flowers and plants I was jealous. Love the abstract rendition of the plants.
    Thanks for all the wonderful demos and suggestions you provide every day.

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Julie I just have to say thank you for taking us along on your journeys especially the museums and places like this botanical garden. It is such a treat for me as I don’t get to travel very much and you are so right in saying it is very inspirational. Scrolling through these pictures just made me want to create something. I think your picture is based on #12. I also wanted to say that the picture of you and Steve together is fabulous make sure you keep that one and maybe even frame it 🙂
    Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us (me). I always look forward to your posts
    Hugs and Smiles

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • Your painting is a WOW!!!!!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • I guess #12, and participle like #5 and that nest structure that appears to be people size! Thanks!

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • Thanks Julie! Love your tours! This is especially cheery since I’m stuck in hospital. Really appreciate all that you share!
    Aloha, ❤️
    Alia

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply
  • These photographs are stunning Julie !! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
    Your page is Amazing, and yes, it´s the red little bird in the trees!
    I wish you a very nice Wednesday,
    Big hugs, Caty

    Reply

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