by Mindy Lighthipe | Uncategorized
Tracing vellum may be one of the simplest—and most useful—tools in my studio. I’ve used it for years when creating botanical art and natural science illustrations, especially when I’m working through complicated compositions with overlapping leaves, flowers, insects,...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Color Mixing, Experimentation Sparks Creativity, Uncategorized
Experimentation Sparks Creativity If you’ve ever mixed two beautiful colors together only to end up with a muddy mess, you’re not alone. Like many artists, I grew up believing there were three primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—and that by mixing...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Art Destinations, Art Retreats, Costa Rica Through an Artist's Eyes, Uncategorized
Through an Artist’s Eyes: Painting the Rainforest When I returned from my first trip to Costa Rica more than 35 years ago, I knew my life had changed. I enrolled in the New York Botanical Garden’s Botanical and Natural Science Illustration Certificate...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Drawing Tips, Field Sketching, Inspiration, Leaf Challenge, Time Management, Uncategorized
How I Stayed Creative During One of the Hardest Times of My Life There was a period in my life when creativity felt almost impossible. I was the sole caregiver for my mother during a long illness. My days were filled with worry, sleepless nights, appointments,...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Art Destinations, Art Retreats, Uncategorized
More Than an Art Retreat: A Creative Journey of Discovery in Portugal Have you ever felt stuck creatively? Perhaps you’ve taken classes, watched tutorials, and filled sketchbooks, yet still find yourself searching for that spark of inspiration that first...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Butterfly Art, Conservation, Costa Rica, Gouache, Insect Art, Online Art Classes, Uncategorized, Workshops
There is something magical about stepping into the rainforest for the first time — the sound of distant birds, the humidity in the air, and the feeling that life is unfolding everywhere around you. As I prepare to return once again to Costa Rica for my annual art and...
