There are artists who influence your style, and then there are artists who influence the way you think. William Morris is both for me. In this post I want to introduce you to the designer behind some of the most iconic botanical patterns in art history — and share why his philosophy, written over 150 years ago, feels more relevant to me today than ever. This one goes a little deeper than flowers and builds on my previous thoughts about, “Why I Draw.”

For over a century, the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden has been a beloved attraction, drawing over 100,000 visitors from Michigan and beyond on an annual spring pilgrimage. With 350 historic herbaceous varieties from the 19th and 20th centuries, the garden presents a breathtaking display, boasting over 10,000 blossoms in shades of pink, red, and white during peak bloom.  Visit in person or experience the beauty of the garden in the video below.

This past year, something changed.

I'd been drawing quietly in my free time for about four years up to this point. Creating art was always something I enjoyed, and now that the kids were getting older, I had more time to play with my colored pencils.

But this year I committed to making it real. I spent many years working for others, and the idea of finally turning those skills into something of my own had been quietly growing for years. I wanted to use my graphic design skills, my background in digital marketing, my love of drawing and channel it into something more.