Blooms Beyond the Canvas

If you’ve ever spent time in a garden, you know there’s a quiet kind of magic in the way flowers grow. From tiny, delicate buds to wild, unstoppable blooms — each one has a story, a personality, a moment of brave becoming.

My love for flowers started long before I began creating. I’ve always been drawn to their unapologetic boldness: the way they stretch toward the sun, sway in the breeze, and bloom without needing permission or perfection.

In my own garden, I spend hours tending to these blooms. I photograph them, admire their unexpected color combinations, and watch as each petal unfolds at its own pace. These moments remind me that growth is rarely linear, and beauty often lives in the wild, imperfect places.

White and fushia cosmos flower blooming boldly in a lush green garden, its dynamic petals and bright center capturing the essence of creative courage and fearless self-expression that inspires Creatively Misty’s community to explore their artistic voices.

Flowers as my first creative mentors

When I first began creating art, I worried about making mistakes. I wanted everything to be perfect. Especially the flowers I created. I never could seem to get them “right" and for a while I just stopped creating them. But then my love of real flowers taught me something powerful: nature never worries about perfection.

A daisy doesn’t fret over whether it matches the rose next to it. A wildflower doesn’t ask for approval before it spills across the field. Flowers just show up exactly as they are, and in that freedom, they become even more beautiful.

This wild, fearless spirit is woven into every layer of my artwork. When I create florals, I’m not just capturing pretty shapes or colors — I’m channeling the energy of brave blooming. I’m telling stories of growth, resilience, and radiant self-expression.

Vibrant pink peony in full bloom, captured by Misty at a local flower garden. This close-up image celebrates bold natural beauty and the fearless spirit of blooming big, echoing Creatively Misty’s mission of brave exploration and creative courage.

Why florals fill my pages

Almost all of my artwork features florals in some way — big bold blooms, soft whispered petals, abstract wildflower shapes dancing across the page. For me, flowers represent possibility and transformation.

A single bloom symbolized:
The courage to open up, even when you feel vulnerable.
The joy of standing out in a sea of sameness.
The power of soft strength.

When I create, I want my art to feel like stepping into a secret garden — a place where you can breathe deeper, feel lighter, and reconnect with your own wild, creative nature.

Close-up of a pink and yellow rose in full, swirling bloom, highlighting delicate petals and bold color transitions. This image embodies Creatively Misty’s spirit of fearless self-expression and creative courage, inviting viewers to explore their own artistic journeys with boldness.

How my garden influences my palette and process

My garden isn’t just a collection of flowers- it’s a living, breathing color palette. Every morning, when I step outside with my tea I’m greeted by a symphony of colors and textures that shift and evolve with the seasons. The saturated pinks of a peony, the fiery oranges of crocosmia, the deep, moody purples of a late-summer dahlia- they whisper new ideas before I even pick up a brush often finding their way into my canvases, journals, and collages.

When I photograph my flowers, I’m not just capturing a pretty moment; I’m collecting tiny, vibrant sparks of inspiration to weave into my next piece. A petal’s delicate curve might become a sweeping brushstroke. The speckles on a leaf might inspire a new texture or mark-making technique. Even the tangled, imperfect edges of a wild vine remind me to embrace looseness and spontaneity in my work.

My process, much like gardening, is about patience and trust. You can’t rush a flower to bloom- and you can’t rush a painting to completion. There are moments when a piece feels awkward or “stuck,” just like a plant waiting out a cold snap or heavy rain. But if I keep nurturing it, keep showing up with gentle curiosity and small acts of courage, something beautiful always emerges. In the same way a garden evolves over seasons, my creative process is layered and fluid. There’s no rush to "finish" — only an invitation to grow, explore, and let each piece bloom in its own time.

I also love how my garden teaches me about balance and contrast. Soft, subtle blossoms can make bright, bold petals pop even more. Delicate greens can calm down fiery oranges. I use this same dance of contrast and harmony in my art, creating pieces that feel alive and full of unexpected energy.

Ultimately, my garden reminds me to stay present. To notice the small wonders. To celebrate every stage, from tender bud to glorious bloom to the fading petals that still hold so much quiet beauty. When I bring that presence into my studio, my art feels less like work and more like a living, joyful conversation with nature — and with myself.

Hot pink lily blooming vibrantly in a lush green flower garden, its bold petals and striking stamens radiating fierce creative energy and fearless self-expression — a perfect symbol of the brave exploration and bold artistry celebrated by Creatively Misty.

An invitation to bloom with me

Flowers have taught me to trust my creative impulses, to embrace the unexpected, and to celebrate every phase of the process — even the messy, uncertain parts.

My hope is that when you see my art, you feel that invitation too. A gentle nudge to show up boldly, bloom in your own way, and express your unique creative voice without apology.

If you’ve been longing to reconnect with your own creative garden, I’d love for you to join me in one of my online workshops. Together, we’ll explore color, layers, and brave blooming in a way that feels playful, soulful, and totally you.

Ready to step into your creative garden? Click here to join my next workshop — let’s bloom beautifully together. 💙

Misty of Creatively Misty confidently adding bold details to a vibrant mixed media art journal page featuring hummingbirds and bright florals, capturing a moment of fearless creative exploration and joyful self-expression in her studio.

Bonus: A floral-inspired prompt for you

Go for a short walk in your neighborhood or garden. Find a flower that catches your eye. Take a photo or sketch it quickly. Back at your creative space, use that flower as your starting point — let its colors, shapes, and energy guide you into a new art piece.

When you finish your floral-inspired piece, I’d love to see it! Tag me @CreativelyMisty and use the hashtag #BloomBravely so I can cheer you on and share your beautiful blooms with our creative community.

Close-up of a bold fuchsia and yellow dahlia in full bloom, its fiery petals radiating fearless energy and vibrant self-expression — a stunning celebration of creative courage and the daring spirit at the heart of Creatively Misty.

Hi, I’m Misty

Mixed media artist, creative guide, and passionate believer in the power of fearless self-expression. After years of playing small and settling for a life that didn’t feel like mine, I chose to rewrite my story through art — and I’ve never looked back.

Now, I help women just like you break free from perfectionism and self-doubt so you can reconnect with your creative voice and boldly explore what lights you up. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or returning to art after years away, my mission is to help you step bravely into your own magic — one joyful, messy layer at a time.

Let’s create a life (and art) you absolutely adore. 💙