Laura Garcia Serventi's Green Thumb: Paintings of Plants

These paintings caught my eye and I knew I had to share them-

potted plants, tropical foliage, succulents and cacti.

Fresh, lush, back-to-nature, airy, healthy!

Laura Garcia Serventi, of Art and People, 

paints with artistic talent and a true green thumb!

Laura draws inspiration from memories of the tiled patios 

and potted gardens in her hometown of Buenos Aries, Argentina.

She studied painting there and then moved to Italy to study photography.

She currently calls Brooklyn, New York home.

After seeing these, you just may be inspired to up your house plant game.

Lots more of Laura's work here:

Etsy

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Images used with direct permission from Laura Garcia Serventi.

A Stunning Christmas at Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA

A perfect outing to celebrate the Christmas season-

we traveled to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

to take in the beauty of Longwood Gardens!

Longwood Gardens, as explained in its mission statement, is 

"the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, inspiring people through 

excellence in garden design, horticulture, education, and the arts."

A Longwood Christmas is a gorgeous display of

trees, flowers & foliage generously interspersed with lights 

that dares even the most stubborn Scrooge 

not to get into the holiday spirit!

above: This awesome 30' tall Living Tree is created with 1,300 potted plants.

below: One of many Christmas trees laden with ornaments for sale in the gift shop.

Poinsettias of every shade are no doubt the stars of the show.

Amarillys

Breathtaking ice-like chandeliers illuminate the sky-high ceilings

and fascinating architecture of the Conservatory, built in 1921.

Enormous hanging poinsettias dazzle from above.

Poinsettia wow-factor!

A lavish wreath in the Orchid House.

Delicate, feminine baby pink.

The Silver Room is always a favorite. We loved this 12' tree made of succulents!

Worth a closer look.

Air fern kissing balls.

A rich collection of succulents brilliantly arranged into a wreath.

The outdoor lighting has a magical, fairy tale feel!

Here's the Longwood Gardens website.

1001 Longwood Road
Kennett Square,  PA

You may be interested to see this post on another of my visits:

An Autumn Afternoon at Longwood Gardens

Sarah K. Benning's Embroidered House Plants

Contemporary embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning exhibits 

quite the green thumb as she hand-stitches her lush house plants.

Palms, ferns and philodendrons, along with cacti and succulents -

quite a detailed collection arranged in pots & baskets, all within the confines

of simple embroidery hoops which serve as their frames.

Each work of art is one-of-a-kind. For those who'd like to give it a try,

Sarah also has a DIY pattern subscription available in her Etsy shop.

Find more of Sarah's work here:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Etsy

Images used with direct permission from Sarah K. Benning.

The Colorful Cat Studio's Wonderful Watercolors

I must draw your attention to Rachel Byler, a talented watercolor artist.
Rachel, from the sweet town of Hershey in my home state of Pennsylvania, 
calls her shop The Colorful Cat Studio.
Her work is exceptional, as you'll see by these examples.
Notice her subtle changes of different shades, as in the
heron wings and  hibiscus petals. Gorgeous!

Look for more from The Colorful Cat Studio here:

Website

Facebook

Etsy

Images used with direct permission from Rachel Byler,
with a shout-out to this Messiah College grad!