A one on one conversation over wine 
—like a Paris Salon

Last summer I decided to spend more time in my home studio. Not wanting to get too isolated, I decided to create what I now call a, “Salon one on one”.

Once a week on Wednesdays I invited one gal I knew, but wanted to know better, to come to my home studio at 5 o’clock for a glass of wine and a few nibbles.

The thought occurred to me that I meet lots of people, as we all do, and lots we don’t really know. We work with each other but often know little beyond the work. We share on FB and are “friends”. We belong to organizations where we meet awesome women, work together on committees but have limited time to really get to know each other.

The first “Salon one on one” evening was so fun I asked another gal for the next Wednesday and then again and again. I continued the inviting until we moved inside in front of the fireplace and until I went off to Paris in late October.

One invitee asked, “so why are we meeting? What are you wanting to talk about?” My response was “there is no agenda. I recently read something you wrote and I liked what you said so I just want to know you better.”

Come see our studio boutique and card bar. Visit us at our studio at 4 Water Street, Chester, weekdays from 10am to 5pm (closed Wednesdays), or visit our online boutique by clicking here.

Jill Butler Presents...

Catching up with Linda and her BUTLER

Now that theBUTLER is out in the world, it's time to connect up with some friends who are enjoying their personal rack!

Meet Linda Sacha, an artist and card designer down in Florida who uses her BUTLER to beautifully display her printed birthday cards and note cards. She also discusses the retail possibilities of using theBUTLER, and how it helps her with her business.

Have you found a creative use for your BUTLER? Get in touch! Send us a picture on Facebook, shoot us an e-mail, or stop by the studio and show us in person!

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AVAILABLE NOW FOR $69.00!  JillButler.com/theBUTLER

 

Summer at last!

Fresh air, time to relax, kick back, oh yes please!

My two favorite illustration styles are cut-paper collage and pen&ink watercolor. 

Being self-taught and not knowing the rules of “how-to”, one late evening in my Normandy studio, I started cutting paper and creating images which I assembled into a collage. It was surprisingly easy and unexpected. So surprising, I had to call Karen in the USA right then and there to share my excitement.

Matisse started cut-paper as an art form from his wheelchair at the time he could no longer stand at an easel. I called it “drawing with scissors” as an alternative to the more difficult (for me) drawing with pen, ink, and watercolor which came later.

With time and loads of espresso in the corner of a Paris cafe, I came to love this medium as well. Fresh as a salad, a bowl of fruit or a moment in a Paris cafe; we're pleasaed to present our brand new 12” x 18” placemats produced here in our Connecticut environs.

The mats can be wiped clean, are reusable and food safe while entertaining the eye and the taste buds. They make great gifts for you and your kitchen, pool side or deck. We are happy to ship as a gift as well. 

Click here
to see our new
placemat collection.

Placemats are $ 8.00 each + shipping.

i love summer
early morning lake swims
with a swallow dragonfly or fisherman

first, to write lakeside
sitting on my bench
coffee in hand
now the moment
to dive in

i love summer
ice and sweetness
lemonade a favorite
seasonal fruits banked
for the winter

bonfires in the backyard
neighbors smell the smoke
the unspoken invitation
settling in to relish the fire
wine s'mores friendships

i love summer
i say, "i'm working"
sneak away
sand in our suits
walk the shoreline
castles built to dissolve

sailboats bobbing
sails lagging others blowing crisp
on the water
celebrating summer

i love summer because it is.....summer

Slowing down
in
a world
that
seldom stops

 
PAUSE.
 
I’ve been thinking about Pause
and my current need to take a break from
too much activity and my ceaseless internal chatter.
I’ve been asking myself a lot of questions lately ~
What if?
How come?
What matters?
Where is?
Why am I here, anyway?
It’s exhausting!
 
My partner Paul laughs, or maybe cries,
when I bombard him with questions in rapid-fire.
His first response is,
“which one do you want me to answer first”?
That stops the train.
 
What is my question?
What matters most?
The key questions for the moment are ~
Who am I?
What do I want?
 
Stepping back is the way to perspective
I’ve decided to hit the PAUSE button
to enjoy the porch ~ read write nap
swim in the lake
toast marshmallows
disconnect
quiet the mind and
simply BE.

i have a rendez-vous with France