Now, I’m a writer, not a painter, though I did take a stab at oil painting years ago, in grade school. I loved the feel of smoothing paint onto a canvas. It settled me. But, I had no training in what I was doing though – just a supportive dad who cheered me on and bought me whatever supplies I needed. My time as an artist lasted a summer, and then I set the supplies aside in favor of homework, and never picked them up again.

As I read Painting Calm, I not only enjoyed the friendly, folksy tone of the written advice and instructions, I liked the way the book felt in my hands. The cover is lightly textured, the pages are smooth and of a substantial weight. Both the front and back covers have a full-sized flap that can fold out and tuck into any page you want to bookmark. Inside those flaps are color charts featuring 31 shades, and their names.

As you read and learn, you’ll be delighted by the endless watercolor illustrations. Every page is a burst of vivid color and elegant design. I recognized many of the flowers we grow in our own gardens in the illustrations, which I’m finding to be very inspiring. Winter is nearly here though, so I’ll spend the cold season practicing indoors and daydreaming of warm spring days to come. When they arrive I’ll take my paints outside and enjoy our gardens from a new perspective.