Happy, colorful, adventurous and joyful Friday, my friends!

I hope that this finds you well and enjoying life wherever you find yourselves. Each Friday I launch a new podcast episode as you know, and today’s is one you won’t want to miss.

My guest, Danielle Hu of The Wanderlover walks us through her life and career adventure from Cornell educated, Wall Street professional life to traveling and surfing in over 60 countries as a location independent, online business coach and digital/travel influencer.

What is location independence and is it only for travel influencers?

The answer is a resounding ‘no,’ and part of Danielle’s mission is to teach people all over the globe how to develop and hone their skills, creating digital, video and online consulting offerings that enable them to work from anywhere in the world.

I hope that you will give this episode a listen, as we delve into all types of topics in and around taking the plunge into entrepreneurship, what it’s like surfing all over the planet, and even Danielle’s global love story turned marriage proposal and wedding just a few months ago!

Speaking of love story, my obsession with creating florals and botanical art in general continues! I’ve been sketching and/or painting florals for years now. Some of you who have followed my journey might remember this inaugural floral series—pen and colored pencil sketches of botanicals at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. See below for a refresher:

As I research and explore my artistic mission, purpose and aesthetic, I return frequently to floral and botanical illustrations. They are simply one of the subjects I most love and take pleasure in drawing. As an emerging professional artist, I periodically evaluate how my art will be perceived and whether a particular subject is marketable. With all of that in mind, here are my top 5 reasons for creating floral art:

Florals are universally appealing.

We find beautiful, colorful flora and fauna all over the world, on every corner.

Florals are very easy to stylize and depict in any medium and on any surface imaginable.

Florals sell—-especially on stationery and gift card sets.

Lovely flowers are the perfect background and setting.

I can pair them with other objects such as perfume, cosmetics, jewelry and landscape. The commercial possibilities are limitless, and I plan to do art campaigns for brands all across the globe.

Did you know that many of these original pieces are available for viewing and purchase on my website, friends? I also offer prints on canvas textured paper. Each print is uniquely hand embellished with a top coat of different acrylic, watercolor, or pastel work. So no two pieces of mine—original or reproduction—are exactly alike!

Over the coming weeks and months, I will be incorporating florals into various colorful, travel based illustration series. Last year was a sabbatical year in which I traveled to four separate countries—Portugal, Czech Republic, Japan and Greece.

Now that I’ve returned, it’s time to sketch, paint and render some new series for each of those four beautiful destinations. Stay tuned and follow me on social media for the latest artistic works in progress!

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lfbcolor

TikTok: www.TikTok.com/lfbcolor

Until we meet again next Friday, friends, live each day colorfully!

Your purveyor of all things colorful,

Lauren Battistini