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Jenni Haikonen

  • home
  • about
    • bio
    • contact
  • Events
  • shop
    • A Gift of Love Collection
    • Original Botanical Paintings
    • Works on Canvas
    • Botanical Prints
    • Stationery
    • commissions
  • Stockists
    • Stockists
    • Wholesale
    • Wholesale Shop
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March 4, 2015
The Liebster Award! →
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art  |  inspiration

work in progress  |  sketchbook

my week in...  |  life lately

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“Blue is the colour of space and light and eternity, of the sea and the sky” -Marina Warner⁣ ⁣ 🔹Exploring the depth of this colour in my newest collection, Everything is Blue. The study of blue has become more intriguing the more the read from the intellectuals who have broken down the colour and its connection to history, to emotion, to the natural world. I'm excited to share more of my findings with you, but I'm also very excited to share this collection with you, as it's something different than my usual go-to plant studies. ⁣🔹 ⁣ 🔹I'm bringing back a fan favourite- the crocus, this time in a blue variety. As the cold temperatures that sweep across our country seem to want to settle in forever, the longing for Spring and new growth is so very real. The crocus is the first prairie plant to pop up out of the winter ground, and its appearance is the signal that Winter has had its course and is passing away. The crocus is the treasure found buried in the snow, reminding us that seasons shift and life exists beyond barrenness. ⁣🔹 ⁣ 🔹If you would like early access to this collection of original paintings (each piece is one-of-a-kinda and unique), by signing up to my newsletter, you will receive a link to the collection before it is released to the public on March 2nd! To sign up, follow the link in my profile, or head to my website where there is a form on the home page. ⁣🔹 •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #byarrangement #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #jennihaikonenart #dsart #blue #watercolor #plantart #watercolorart #plant #crocus #botanicalart
I have never been a blue person. Oh yes, I have been filled with winter blues, I've flirted with melancholy too many times to count...the blue that is emotion consumes me at times. Perhaps that is why I've rejected the colour and veered towards shades of greens and ochres. But blue is also associated with calm and serenity...so I want to seek to understand it, to understand why so many are drawn toward the hue. I want to understand why it exists in so much of the world and represents so many things. I needed to challenge myself to step outside of my box, explore and learn to appreciate a colour that has never resonated with me. ⁣ ⁣ And it's surprising- the more I play around with mixing blues, the more I'm beginning to understand what makes this colour so intriguing. That is the goal of this upcoming collection- to explore and study a colour and how it relates to the world. I'm excited to share these findings with you in the coming couple of weeks in preparation for its release on Saturday March 2nd at 6pm CT. #everythingisbluecollection⁣ ⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ #capturemycraft #inspofinds #a_still_life #seekinspirecreate #amonthoflovely #thesimpleeveryday #foreverfaffing #styleonmytable #gowildlyandslow #asecondofwhimsy #itsamoodywednesday #distractionsandinspirations #botanicalart #botanicalartist #wearethemakers #dailydoseofpaper #etsyca #dscolor #dslooking #botanical #handmadepaper #jennihaikonenart #blue #watercolor
Just for fun, I've rearranged a few things within my website and put together a small collection of Valentine's Themed pieces for this week. It includes a couple of pieces that are new to my website, which both happen to be framed and are also some of my very favourites! If you happen to be looking for a gift for someone you love, painted flowers are a floral gift that lasts forever. Have a look by following the link in my profile for the “Valentine Collection”. I will also share them within my stories for quick purchase. • • • • #kinfolklife #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #mybeigelife #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #asecondofwhimsey #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #mymonthofsundays #behomefree #cornersofmyworld #nestandburrow #feastandflourish #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #byarrangement #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #jennihaikonenart #dsart
Northern Bedstraw- a subtle beauty that lines prairie walkways in the height of summer. On your walk, it may go unnoticed, its blooms too small to compete with the voluminous bursts of the more extravagant plants that surround it. But suddenly, as you go along, you catch a sweet scent in the air, a scent that makes you wonder at its intoxication. You look down and see nothing but tall, drifting grasses... until, poking its head above waves, you notice a white cluster of the tiniest of flowers. And then, there are more of them, dotted along the pathway, creating a symphony of delightful scent amongst the grass that is waving you along. It's a surprise that makes you smile and you wonder how you hadn't noticed it before.⁣ ⁣ This pieces is still available in my web shop! Watercolour on Handmade Paper, $105 CAD plus shipping, or choose “local pick up” if you live in the area. ⁣ *⁣ *⁣ *⁣ *⁣ *⁣ #capturemycraft #inspofinds #a_still_life #seekinspirecreate #amonthoflovely #thesimpleeveryday #foreverfaffing #styleonmytable #gowildlyandslow #domesticforaging #thatvelvetfeeling #thesincerestoryteller #distractionsandinspirations #searchwandercollect #botanicalart #watercolor #styling #doitfortheprocess #vintagehome #inspiredbycharm #vintagedecor #vintagelook #studioviews #studioscenes #dslooking #watercolor #watercolorillustration #botanicalillustration #wildflower #northernbedstraw
Woods in Winter⁣ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow⁣ ⁣ “When winter winds are piercing chill,⁣ And through the hawthorn blows the gale,⁣ With solemn feet I tread the hill,⁣ That overbrows the lonely vale. ⁣ ⁣ O’er the bare upland, and away⁣ Through the long reach of desert woods,⁣ The embracing sunbeams chastely play,⁣ And gladden these deep solitudes. ⁣ ⁣ Where, twisted round the barren oak,⁣ The summer vine in beauty clung,⁣ And summer winds the stillness broke,⁣ The crystal icicle is hung. ⁣ ⁣ Where, from their frozen urns, mute springs⁣ Pour out the river’s gradual tide,⁣ Shrilly the skater’s iron rings,⁣ And voices fill the woodland side. ⁣ ⁣ Alas! how changed from the fair scene,⁣ When birds sang out their mellow lay,⁣ And winds were soft, and woods were green,⁣ And the song ceased not with the day! ⁣ ⁣ But still wild music is abroad,⁣ Pale, desert woods! within your crowd;⁣ And gathering winds, in hoarse accord,⁣ Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud.⁣ ⁣ Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear⁣ Has grown familiar with your song;⁣ I hear it in the opening year,⁣ I listen, and it cheers me long.”⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ #abmathome #liveauthentically #dshome #doitfortheprocess #canadianartist #dslooking #gowildlyandslow #sodomino #apartmenttherapy #aconsideredhome #seekthesimplicity #verilymoment #thatauthenticfeeling #decorhome #mywestelm #homewithrue #bhghome #bohohome #designsponge #myhousebeautiful #interiorinspiration⁣
Balsam Fir, the tree of winter, an emblem of the North. It's a reminder of warmth and life in cold places, it's a visual cue for memories made, its scent brings about a feeling of coziness (or hygge for the more Scandinavian influenced crowd). It's one of my favourite branches to paint during this season and this one is keeping me cozy while I wait for its rightful owner. Available in my web shop, it is framed and ready to be hung on the wall. Watercolour on Hand-Torn Paper, $115 CAD plus shipping, or choose “local pick up” if you live in the area. • • • • #kinfolklife #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #mybeigelife #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #mymonthofsundays #behomefree #cornersofmyworld #nestandburrow #feastandflourish #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #jennihaikonenart #botanicalillustration #botanicalart
“...Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear⁣ Has grown familiar with your song;⁣ I hear it in the opening year,⁣ I listen, and it cheers me long.” -Woods in Winter by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow⁣ ⁣ Words written for a snowy day and a Cornflower to mark this first day of February. Somehow blue just fits at this time of year and I'm becoming so inspired by it, I'm planning out a whole collection based on the colour to be released in days ahead. Sign up to my newsletter to be the first to hear of the date of release. (This piece is currently still available in my shop for purchase).⁣ ⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ •⁣ #capturemycraft #inspofinds #a_still_life #seekinspirecreate #amonthoflovely #thesimpleeveryday #foreverfaffing #styleonmytable #gowildlyandslow #asecondofwhimsy #itsamoodywednesday #distractionsandinspirations #botanicalart #botanicalartist #wearethemakers #dailydoseofpaper #etsyca #dscolor #dslooking #botanical #handmadepaper #jennihaikonenart ⁣
I want to talk with you a bit about the one aspect of the creative life that often gets brushed aside. Yes, being a Creative can often come with much joy and freedom to express the inner workings of the soul, but there is a flip side to it all and it's not always as pretty or restful as images make it out to be. This morning, I woke up with “that old familiar feeling” (cue Billie Holiday), an anxiousness of mind to manage the to-do list that is seemingly never ending. You see, in the creative mind, there are endless ideas, which become endless to do's, which become endless expectations that are often not met. There is that constant looming monster of disappointment and shame hiding around every corner. My brain likes to translate that into anxiety, even though I know it doesn't have to exist. There's a voice under the surface that likes to shame me for not meeting my expectations (or, let's face it, the world's expectations for us). I've been learning to manage it, but there are so many others in the creative realm that also deal with these feelings under the surface... Feelings of unworthiness, or overwhelm, feelings of sadness or depression, feelings of deep longing or anger. Being isolated in your creative world can trigger so many issues of the mind. It is something that needs to be talked about so that false expectations are not loaded up on fragile minds. ⁣ ⁣ Today is Bell Let's Talk day- a day that I've honoured each year as important, to help spread the word about. Head to @bell_letstalk and watch their official video- each time it is watched, Bell will donate 5 cents toward mental health initiatives. I also encourage you to spread the word on your own social media platforms. ⁣#bellletstalk * * * * * #seekthesimplicity#vintagefinds #vintagedecor #vintagehome #mytinyatlas #inspiredbyart #thatsdarling #nothingisordinary #postitforaesthetic #artlife #gowildlyandslow #thatvelvetfeeling #thesincerestoryteller #doitfortheprocess
Keeping the blue theme going on the feed to showcase these lovely Bachelor Buttons or Cornflowers as they are less commonly known. When I put a call out for favourite flowers back in Fall, there were a few that suggested these blue beauties. I had never been drawn to paint blue flowers before, but now I may do a whole series. But for now, Bachelor #1 and #2 are available on my website and looking for their matches. • • • • #abmathome #liveauthentically #dshome #doitfortheprocess #canadianartist #dslooking #gowildlyandslow #sodomino #apartmenttherapy #aconsideredhome #seekthesimplicity #verilymoment #thatauthenticfeeling #decorhome #mywestelm #homewithrue #bhghome #bohohome #designsponge #myhousebeautiful #interiorinspiration #theeverygirl #dsart #studioinspiration #jennihaikonenart
Today is Blue Monday. It is a day associated with being the most depressing day of the year. This is the first year in many where I don't feel the heaviness of winter blanketing me, but I do know the feeling quite well so I can strongly relate if you are in a place that feels heavy. I find it coincidental that I have been learning about the colour blue in Carol Maver's book, Blue Mythologies. It is a much more fascinating colour than I once believed. What has stuck with me, so far, is that: blue is everywhere and blue is joyful-sad. It is a colour that is associated with both sadness and hopefulness. It's a reminder that these two emotions can coincide, and often do. ⁣ ⁣ As Maver writes, “Life is short, not only for the minuscule life of the birds and insects who are true connoisseurs of blue, but also for big animals like ourselves who sing the blues. We cannot help but get lost in the blues. Yet, as Padua's canopy of heavenly azure attests to, blue is (Giotto's) joy. Yet blue skin is the sorrowful hue of death. Yet Vishnu's blue skin is heavenly life. Yet joy is when the cyanotic baby takes a big breath and pinkens his blue lips with life. Blue is joyful-sad”⁣ ⁣ I'd like to share with you a few images of blue that have stuck with me while reading this- you can find them in my stories.⁣ • • • • #kinfolklife #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #mybeigelife #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #asecondofwhimsey #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #mymonthofsundays #behomefree #cornersofmyworld #nestandburrow #feastandflourish #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #byarrangement #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #blue #bluemonday
🔔👆🏻Reminder! 👆🏻🔔 * * * * * #vintage #antique #seekthesimplicity #inspiremyinstagram #feelfreefeed #exploretocreate #vintagefinds #vintagedecor #vintagehome #mytinyatlas #inspiredbyart #thatsdarling #nothingisordinary #postitforaesthetic #artlife #gowildlyandslow #thatvelvetfeeling #thesincerestoryteller #botanicalillustration #botanicalart
📣Take Note! 📣Mark your calendars and set your phone reminders. This upcoming Saturday at 7pm CT, I'll be uploading a few original botanical watercolour paintings to my website. These are a few that didn't find homes over the market season, but also I didn't get a chance to upload them to my website before the holidays hit. This small collection includes some of my favourites (that I'm tempted to keep myself) and are all really lovely if I do say so myself! If you had your eye on these during market season, now is your chance to purchase. ⁣ ⁣ And if you would like an automatic reminder when they go up to be the first to view them, please sign up for my newsletter through the link in my profile or on my website. I send out a monthly letter with updates for the season, and also give subscribers the first chance to view future collections.⁣ * * * * * #capturemycraft #inspofinds #a_still_life #seekinspirecreate #amonthoflovely #thesimpleeveryday #foreverfaffing #styleonmytable #gowildlyandslow #domesticforaging #thatvelvetfeeling #thesincerestoryteller #distractionsandinspirations #searchwandercollect #botanicalart #watercolor #styling #doitfortheprocess #vintagehome #inspiredbycharm #vintagedecor #vintagelook #studioviews #studioscenes #dslooking #botanical
That morning January light... • • • • #abmathome #liveauthentically #dshome #doitfortheprocess #canadianartist #dslooking #gowildlyandslow #sodomino #apartmenttherapy #aconsideredhome #seekthesimplicity #verilymoment #thatauthenticfeeling #decorhome #mywestelm #homewithrue #bhghome #bohohome #designsponge #myhousebeautiful #interiorinspiration #theeverygirl #dsart #studioinspiration
A big hello to all my new followers! Because so many of you joined along yesterday, I thought it was about time I show my face around here and share a bit of my story with you. I am a botanical artist, impressionistic landscape painter, wanderer, flaneur, and preservation enthusiast living in the Canadian prairie lands. 🌾I am inspired by a great many things, but most often the natural, wild landscape, dried botanicals, vintage collectables, and age-old practices such as herbalism and folk medicine. 🌿The end goal with most of my pieces is to impart a sense of peace or calm that reflects the mood of the landscapes they are inspired by. And with that general overview, here are a few other random tidbits of info about me: ⁣ ⁣ 1. You will most often find sad-sounding, melancholic tunes drifting from my studio doors, but in truth, I enjoy a wide variety of genres including dixieland jazz, soul, surf-inspired indie, electronic, 80's pop and early hip hop. ⁣🎶 ⁣ 2. At one point in my life, I dreamed of becoming a movie actress and spent a good amount of my time devoted to acting in local plays including Little Women and Robin Hood. ⁣📽 ⁣ 3. I have a fear of flying, but I'm determined to not let that stop me from going places. I've traveled overseas once to Germany and France and I'm looking forward to when I hopefully get to do it again soon! ⁣✈️ ⁣ 4. I grew up in a town with a population of 500 and graduated high school with a class of 16. ⁣🏘 ⁣ 5. When I'm not painting, I have a just a few hobbies I indulge in. I enjoy reading, gardening, crocheting, playing piano, decorating/puttering, cooking, thrifting, making candles, homesteading, embroidering, pickling, bread baking, the list goes on. It's a wonder I have time to make art! ⁣🌻 ⁣ Now as this is taking up too much of my time already, I think I'll leave it at 5. But I'd love to hear a little about you! If you are new (or if you are not!), introduce yourself and let me know a few random tidbits about you. I love meeting those that are following along and building into this online community. ⁣ 📸by @blythekingcroftphoto
A few items in the shop have just been restocked for the new year, after the Christmas hubbub. Everyone's favourite Elderflower print has been added, as well as my personal favourite Chickweed print. Stationery has also been updated with Christmas cards marked down to clear stock. Have a look by heading to the www.jennihaikonen.com or heading to the link in my profile. More shop updates coming soon, including original miniatures! * * * * * #capturemycraft #inspofinds #a_still_life #seekinspirecreate #amonthoflovely #thesimpleeveryday #foreverfaffing #styleonmytable #gowildlyandslow #domesticforaging #thatvelvetfeeling #thesincerestoryteller #distractionsandinspirations #searchwandercollect #botanicalart #watercolor #styling #doitfortheprocess #vintagehome #inspiredbycharm #vintagedecor #vintagelook #studioviews #studioscenes #dslooking #watercolorcard #stationery
Looking for a fun event to spice up your winter? On Friday February 1st, I will be teaching another botanical card workshop, this time focusing on Valentine's cards for your loved ones! You'll learn how to paint a simple design with foliage and florals. Materials are included and there will be snacks and drinks to enjoy as well. To sign up, head on over to @craftschoolyxe and follow the link for their website. Spots go quickly, so be sure to hop on it! • • • • • #yxeartist #yxeevents #yxeart #yxe #saskatoon #saskatooning #yxelocal #yxeliving #yxevintage #yxeweddings #saskatoonevents #saskatoonmarket #saskatoonartist #yxelife #smallbusinesssaturday #shopsmall
And I'm back! You may have noticed (or perhaps not, which is ok too!), but I took a bit of a break from Instagram over the holidays as I rested, reflected on the year and regrouped for a fresh vision in this new year. It's been much needed after such a busy season and I'm feeling a new sense of purpose and direction for the coming months. I very much encourage all Makers to take a break and give yourself permission to not think about social media for a period of time- it's quite refreshing. I hope you were able to experience a sense of refresh over the Christmas season in some way, as well. I'm taking January slow without loading too much on my plate as I focus on organizing my studio and prepping for projects ahead. 🌿🌾 One upcoming date I do need to mention is an upcoming workshop with @craftschoolyxe - I'll be teaching another class on making some Valentine's Botanical Cards to give to those that you love. If you are local and interested, please do head to the Craft School YXE site to sign up and get yourself on the list. I'll be posting about it specifically later today, as well as in my stories, but if you are reading this, make sure to sign up soon as these classes fill quickly. Now, onto all the catch up tasks that await my day! • • • • #kinfolklife #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #mybeigelife #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #asecondofwhimsey #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #mymonthofsundays #behomefree #cornersofmyworld #nestandburrow #feastandflourish #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #byarrangement #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #jennihaikonenart #dsart
2018 in a grid. So many goals reached! Here's looking forward to the next year of creativity and goal reaching. • • • • #kinfolklife #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #mybeigelife #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #asecondofwhimsey #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #mymonthofsundays #behomefree #cornersofmyworld #nestandburrow #feastandflourish #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #byarrangement #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #jennihaikonenart
Sending you so many tidings of comfort and joy today. May you find much beauty in this day. 🌲🕯📯 “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; For he who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.” -The Magnificat, Luke 1:46-50 • • • #kinfolklife #slowlivingforlife #momentsofmine #sgiew #sgiew_warmth #simpleandstill #thatauthenticfeeling #persuepretty #amonthoflovely #mybeigelife #shared_joy #simplethingsmadebeautiful #asecondofwhimsey #fosterthoughtfulness #distractionsandinspirations #mymonthofsundays #behomefree #cornersofmyworld #nestandburrow #feastandflourish #foundandforaged #gatheredstyle #byarrangement #foreverfaffing #aconsideredhome #curatedlife #capturequiet #nordicmood #jennihaikonenart #dsart
And, the studio and shop have officially closed for the season. Now, it's off to Vancouver for a time of holidaying, celebrating Christmas with family and friends. Thank you again to all of you for all of your support this season. If you'd like to keep up with me over the next while, I'll be posting sporadically in my stories 👆🏻👆🏻 • • • • #abmathome #liveauthentically #dshome #doitfortheprocess #canadianartist #dslooking #gowildlyandslow #sodomino #apartmenttherapy #aconsideredhome #seekthesimplicity #verilymoment #thatauthenticfeeling #decorhome #mywestelm #homewithrue #bhghome #bohohome #designsponge #myhousebeautiful #interiorinspiration #theeverygirl #dsart #studioinspiration #jennihaikonenart
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