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C a t B e n n e t t

I make art and teach art. I love how we amplify our creative energy when we work together. And I love where art takes us.

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The Paradiso Tea Co. / Chill Out Tea. Sometimes it can seem hard to chill out and that's when we reach for a cup of Chill Out tea. At The Paradiso Tea Co. we believe that our good spirits give us the energy that can change things up...

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Chill Out Tea. Sometimes it can seem hard to chill out and that's when we reach for a cup of Chill Out tea. At The Paradiso Tea Co. we believe that our good spirits give us the energy that can change things up...

BOOKFUL Japan! Online class with @barizaki and me starting May 3rd and going for 4 weeks. Our focus this time is Japanese art and stitched books! Fun ahead! Sign up: www.barizaki.com

BOOKFUL Japan! Online class with @barizaki and me starting May 3rd and going for 4 weeks. Our focus this time is Japanese art and stitched books! Fun ahead! Sign up: www.barizaki.com

Out and about...

Out and about...

The Persistence of Happiness. These 4 pieces are at @storefront_art_projects in Watertown, MA as part of @weinbergellen's group show: Resistance, Persistence and The Pursuit of Happiness. And so great to see the massive demonstrations yesterday. Resistence and happiness, indeed!

The Persistence of Happiness. These 4 pieces are at @storefront_art_projects in Watertown, MA as part of @weinbergellen's group show: Resistance, Persistence and The Pursuit of Happiness. And so great to see the massive demonstrations yesterday. Resistence and happiness, indeed!

BOOKFUL Japan! It's official! My next online BOOKFUL 4-week workshop with @barizaki begins May 3rd! Bari will show us how to make 3 Japanese style books and I will lead us in filling them. In the first, we'll be illustrating haiku, then we'll render plants Japanese style, and, in the last, we'll draw all that goes into a tea ceremony. It's our hope that each class will be a relaxing mini tea ceremony with art! Sign up at: www.barizaki.com

BOOKFUL Japan! It's official! My next online BOOKFUL 4-week workshop with @barizaki begins May 3rd! Bari will show us how to make 3 Japanese style books and I will lead us in filling them. In the first, we'll be illustrating haiku, then we'll render plants Japanese style, and, in the last, we'll draw all that goes into a tea ceremony. It's our hope that each class will be a relaxing mini tea ceremony with art! Sign up at: www.barizaki.com

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Rise Above It Blend. The Paradiso Tea Co. is very busy at the moment with anxiety relief products. More on the way!

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Rise Above It Blend. The Paradiso Tea Co. is very busy at the moment with anxiety relief products. More on the way!

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Optimism Blend. I'm a born optimist but these are challenging days. Definitely need a daily cup of the Optimism Blend!

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Optimism Blend. I'm a born optimist but these are challenging days. Definitely need a daily cup of the Optimism Blend!

The Persistence of Happiness. In these toughest of times, I hope we can all find small moments of happiness...

The Persistence of Happiness. In these toughest of times, I hope we can all find small moments of happiness...

Spring! A small Japanese style drawing. It's for another project but also to welcome Spring!

Spring! A small Japanese style drawing. It's for another project but also to welcome Spring!

Spring took us by surprise this year in Boston. Thank you, Spring! And happy Sunday!

Spring took us by surprise this year in Boston. Thank you, Spring! And happy Sunday!

In the visual storytelling class I'm teaching, we began one exercise by just scribbling. Like in stream of consciousness writing, things show up...

In the visual storytelling class I'm teaching, we began one exercise by just scribbling. Like in stream of consciousness writing, things show up...

I've been teaching an online class in visual storytelling @concordart for the last 4 weeks. We started by making sequential images which seem to suggest things we might not have thought of had we started with words. This was one of our first exercises, a very small scale accordion "book", really just folded paper. Two more weeks! Have really enjoyed this class!

I've been teaching an online class in visual storytelling @concordart for the last 4 weeks. We started by making sequential images which seem to suggest things we might not have thought of had we started with words. This was one of our first exercises, a very small scale accordion "book", really just folded paper. Two more weeks! Have really enjoyed this class!

Cyclamen. Spent last Saturday afternoon with a group of artists painting, cutting and pasting paper at @mosesionarts.org. So great to take these time outs to make things and have a few laughs. A great purpose for art...

Cyclamen. Spent last Saturday afternoon with a group of artists painting, cutting and pasting paper at @mosesionarts.org. So great to take these time outs to make things and have a few laughs. A great purpose for art...

The Paradiso Tea Co. "Sunshine Tea". These days, it can be good to settle back with a cup of Sunshine Tea and remember that the sun is always shining on top of the clouds. This piece will be at The @concordart Members' Show (Concord, MA). Opening is this Thursday, February 27th. Always a fun time! Come and join us!

The Paradiso Tea Co. "Sunshine Tea". These days, it can be good to settle back with a cup of Sunshine Tea and remember that the sun is always shining on top of the clouds. This piece will be at The @concordart Members' Show (Concord, MA). Opening is this Thursday, February 27th. Always a fun time! Come and join us!

Visual Storytelling Online Class via @concordart begins Wednesday, February 12th! We have a beautiful core group with a couple of spaces open. Please sign up by tomorrow! We'll be on ZOOM which is a great way to work together on book projects! We'll explore how we can start our writing with a theme and images, the different ways we can use images and how we can let a story tell itself rather than imposing our will on it. Working with images is an exciting way to write and I hope you will join us! Sign up at: www.concordart.org

Visual Storytelling Online Class via @concordart begins Wednesday, February 12th! We have a beautiful core group with a couple of spaces open. Please sign up by tomorrow! We'll be on ZOOM which is a great way to work together on book projects! We'll explore how we can start our writing with a theme and images, the different ways we can use images and how we can let a story tell itself rather than imposing our will on it. Working with images is an exciting way to write and I hope you will join us! Sign up at: www.concordart.org

The Persistence of Happiness #4. I used to go straight downstairs when I woke up in the morning. I'd have a cup of tea and read the news online. When I think about it, it was never uplifting. The focus is always on disaster and trouble. Since the Inauguration, I am going straight to my little art room early in the morning and doing a drawing. I have no plan, no ambition. I'm just happy to receive a little good news. Then I go downstairs, make a cup of tea and read the news. Ha ha! Still, it makes for a much better day.

The Persistence of Happiness #4. I used to go straight downstairs when I woke up in the morning. I'd have a cup of tea and read the news online. When I think about it, it was never uplifting. The focus is always on disaster and trouble. Since the Inauguration, I am going straight to my little art room early in the morning and doing a drawing. I have no plan, no ambition. I'm just happy to receive a little good news. Then I go downstairs, make a cup of tea and read the news. Ha ha! Still, it makes for a much better day.

The Persistence of Happiness #3. I always wake up with the sun and I've started going straight away in the dim winter light to my little art room and making a drawing. Drawing has always been a place of deep peace for me. It's just a meditation. I don't usually work this way but these meditations feel reassuring like good things are happening out there. Could there be messages in paint? Who knows. But when I head downstairs for my cup of tea, I feel a bit buoyant. A good way to start the day!

The Persistence of Happiness #3. I always wake up with the sun and I've started going straight away in the dim winter light to my little art room and making a drawing. Drawing has always been a place of deep peace for me. It's just a meditation. I don't usually work this way but these meditations feel reassuring like good things are happening out there. Could there be messages in paint? Who knows. But when I head downstairs for my cup of tea, I feel a bit buoyant. A good way to start the day!

The Persistence of Happiness #2. It has been quite a week and I see my usual color palette has changed. I'm making art a morning meditation at the moment. No ideas, just seeing what appears. This made me think that things still bloom in the night. Maybe it's more important than ever to carry on in good spirits. Thanks for being here!

The Persistence of Happiness #2. It has been quite a week and I see my usual color palette has changed. I'm making art a morning meditation at the moment. No ideas, just seeing what appears. This made me think that things still bloom in the night. Maybe it's more important than ever to carry on in good spirits. Thanks for being here!

The Persistence of Happiness #1. Yesterday, to save myself from the gloom of the week, I was splashing around in my little art room when, Ivy, one of our 6 year old twin granddaughters popped in. She sat down beside me and we splashed away for over 2 hours. My dear friend @jcbouldin had sent me some Neocolor oil pastels so we were playing with those. Hence, all the happiness in this little painting! Ivy's a born artist and she said, "Nonni, I could do this forever!" A minute later, she said, "Maybe I could just pop over on Sundays and we could do more art together." Ha ha! She took all of her work home before I could photograph but I'll share what she does next week. The table was completely covered in paint, scissors, glue, paper scraps, crayons. Happiness, indeed! #watercolorpainting #oilpasteldrawing

The Persistence of Happiness #1. Yesterday, to save myself from the gloom of the week, I was splashing around in my little art room when, Ivy, one of our 6 year old twin granddaughters popped in. She sat down beside me and we splashed away for over 2 hours. My dear friend @jcbouldin had sent me some Neocolor oil pastels so we were playing with those. Hence, all the happiness in this little painting! Ivy's a born artist and she said, "Nonni, I could do this forever!" A minute later, she said, "Maybe I could just pop over on Sundays and we could do more art together." Ha ha! She took all of her work home before I could photograph but I'll share what she does next week. The table was completely covered in paint, scissors, glue, paper scraps, crayons. Happiness, indeed! #watercolorpainting #oilpasteldrawing

Morning Tea...

Morning Tea...

Saw this yesterday, New Year's Eve, and, as it turned out, Dylan's 82nd birthday. Was blown away. Incredible performances all around and Timothée Chalomet was incredible. Going to see it again next week. Run, don't walk...! Happy New Year!

Saw this yesterday, New Year's Eve, and, as it turned out, Dylan's 82nd birthday. Was blown away. Incredible performances all around and Timothée Chalomet was incredible. Going to see it again next week. Run, don't walk...! Happy New Year!

Gandhi Peace Blimp. Wishing the world and all of you peace and wellbeing in the new year! May we all cultivate peace and happiness as Gandhi taught us. Here's to a wonderful year ahead! ❤️

Gandhi Peace Blimp. Wishing the world and all of you peace and wellbeing in the new year! May we all cultivate peace and happiness as Gandhi taught us. Here's to a wonderful year ahead! ❤️

Concord Art. Pulled up early this morning to begin my 2-day drawing workshop at @concordart in Concord, MA and super surprised to see my art on the building! I was at the opening but it was dark when we arrived so I didn't notice it. It's my Paradiso Tea Company's "Joy Tea". Lots of interesting art up at the moment at Concord Art. If you're in the Boston area, stop in! Thank you, Concord Art! Always a joy to be there! #concordart #collageart #collage #paradisoteacompany

Concord Art. Pulled up early this morning to begin my 2-day drawing workshop at @concordart in Concord, MA and super surprised to see my art on the building! I was at the opening but it was dark when we arrived so I didn't notice it. It's my Paradiso Tea Company's "Joy Tea". Lots of interesting art up at the moment at Concord Art. If you're in the Boston area, stop in! Thank you, Concord Art! Always a joy to be there! #concordart #collageart #collage #paradisoteacompany

Paradiso Hair Tonic / Never Worry Again #painting #gouache #paradisoproducts

Paradiso Hair Tonic / Never Worry Again #painting #gouache #paradisoproducts

BOOKFUL of TRAVEL. Our next BOOKFUL online class starts January 18th, 2025! In the first week, my dear friend and master bookbinder will lead us in creating a gorgeous hardcover cover for an accordion book. (All supplies are included.) In the next 3 weeks, I will share a slideshow of inspiration and lead us in writing our stories using both words and images. You can sign up now: www.barizaki.com All are welcome!

BOOKFUL of TRAVEL. Our next BOOKFUL online class starts January 18th, 2025! In the first week, my dear friend and master bookbinder will lead us in creating a gorgeous hardcover cover for an accordion book. (All supplies are included.) In the next 3 weeks, I will share a slideshow of inspiration and lead us in writing our stories using both words and images. You can sign up now: www.barizaki.com All are welcome!

Swimming Lessons. My friend Charlo and I joined the Y a couple of months ago to swim. I was grateful this week to be able to immerse myself in water. On Fridays we do water aerobics in a pool full to overflowing with women (and two chaps) all past our swimming primes. Our teacher, who is of a certain age, barks out orders but she's so short we only see her head bobbing up and down and can't make out the moves. Everyone flaps around like they know what they're doing. Us too! Haven't laughed so hard in years. We leave feeling super invigorated, that life is beautiful and that we're ready for (almost) anything. Hope you find something good too. #lifestrategy #bravenewworld

Swimming Lessons. My friend Charlo and I joined the Y a couple of months ago to swim. I was grateful this week to be able to immerse myself in water. On Fridays we do water aerobics in a pool full to overflowing with women (and two chaps) all past our swimming primes. Our teacher, who is of a certain age, barks out orders but she's so short we only see her head bobbing up and down and can't make out the moves. Everyone flaps around like they know what they're doing. Us too! Haven't laughed so hard in years. We leave feeling super invigorated, that life is beautiful and that we're ready for (almost) anything. Hope you find something good too. #lifestrategy #bravenewworld

Swimming. This is one of my granddaughters at her second swim meet last weekend. She's the smallest one and came in fifth. When she got to end of the race she said she cried with happiness. She'd done it. A couple of months ago she couldn't swim the length of the pool and now she can swim two lengths. I love her attitude. We'll get there too. #photobyapo

Swimming. This is one of my granddaughters at her second swim meet last weekend. She's the smallest one and came in fifth. When she got to end of the race she said she cried with happiness. She'd done it. A couple of months ago she couldn't swim the length of the pool and now she can swim two lengths. I love her attitude. We'll get there too. #photobyapo

Gandhi Peace Box. Yesterday as I drove out on the highway to visit two artist friends I felt a sudden wave of optimism. Everything would be ok! Kamala will win! Then, last night, in our continued efforts to keep calm we chose to watch a movie and not the news. I only peeked at my phone at 9:30 EST and knew then that my optimism was misplaced but not unfounded. This morning I thought of Gandhi and the oppression he stood up to with determination, discipline, organization and love. I hope we'll all go back to work and know that whatever light we bring into the world still matters.

Gandhi Peace Box. Yesterday as I drove out on the highway to visit two artist friends I felt a sudden wave of optimism. Everything would be ok! Kamala will win! Then, last night, in our continued efforts to keep calm we chose to watch a movie and not the news. I only peeked at my phone at 9:30 EST and knew then that my optimism was misplaced but not unfounded. This morning I thought of Gandhi and the oppression he stood up to with determination, discipline, organization and love. I hope we'll all go back to work and know that whatever light we bring into the world still matters.

Election Day! I'm wearing this little pin of the Arc de Triomphe for Kamala today and keeping a positive vision. That's the work really, I think, to keep envisioning success in the face of ghastliness. This morning we walked down early in the morning to vote with our neighbor friends. We had a few good laughs. I thought how great that spirits are high. I think victory is in the air!

Election Day! I'm wearing this little pin of the Arc de Triomphe for Kamala today and keeping a positive vision. That's the work really, I think, to keep envisioning success in the face of ghastliness. This morning we walked down early in the morning to vote with our neighbor friends. We had a few good laughs. I thought how great that spirits are high. I think victory is in the air!

Sneak peek! @barizaki and I are working on our next BOOKFUL online class coming in January. Bari is a master bookbinder and leads the class in making a handmade book. I do 3 classes in filling it. Our new theme is TRAVEL. I'm writing about a trip I made at the age of 18 after my first year at university from Montreal to a tiny, still forlorn German island in the North Sea where I was to work for 3 months at a hotel for people blinded in the Second World War. The story of being there overshadowed the story of getting there, until now. The journey was long and perilous, an unexpected tutorial in trust. It's interesting to write and make images simultaneously! Stay tuned. Can't wait to do this class! #bookful #travelwriting #makingbooks #handmadebooks #illustration

Sneak peek! @barizaki and I are working on our next BOOKFUL online class coming in January. Bari is a master bookbinder and leads the class in making a handmade book. I do 3 classes in filling it. Our new theme is TRAVEL. I'm writing about a trip I made at the age of 18 after my first year at university from Montreal to a tiny, still forlorn German island in the North Sea where I was to work for 3 months at a hotel for people blinded in the Second World War. The story of being there overshadowed the story of getting there, until now. The journey was long and perilous, an unexpected tutorial in trust. It's interesting to write and make images simultaneously! Stay tuned. Can't wait to do this class! #bookful #travelwriting #makingbooks #handmadebooks #illustration

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