Hello,
During that strange, fraught time, in 2020 I came across a quirky book entitled “Becoming Duchess Goldblatt, a memoir” by Anonymous. I can honestly say, this book changed me and made me a better person — I’ve reread it at least once every year and often press it on friends and family.
When I find myself in need of great beauty, I close my eyes and listen, and it slips in through the side door.
— DG
It’s hard to describe. The book is the story of a creative practice borne out of grief and great loss — I was hooked from the beginning. As a means of coping, the author starts an anonymous social media account in the persona of an elderly woman “with a saucy smile” depicted in a 17th Century oil painting by Frans Hals. You’ll find more at Duchessgoldblatt.com, but mostly, I hope you’ll find a way to read this gem of a title and then share it with others.
The world is broken, but you are not broken. Things may not be okay, but you’re okay, and you will be. I promise. — DG
Duchess conveys universal truths with heart, humor and a staunch spine. Her Grace doesn’t suffer fools lightly. The social media account strikes a chord and a loving community from all over the country and beyond comes together, online and in person, around a loving figure who purports to live in Crooked Path, a fictional town in New York with questionable geography and a, shall we say, “fluid” sense of time.
I put my ear to the ground over here and over there. I have to if I want to see how the pieces of the world fit together. — DG
I often refer to Duchess as my patron saint. She doesn’t know I exist yet she consistently sees into my heart and can draw a tear or make me laugh out loud in consecutive sentences. That first Christmas, or maybe it was the next one, my husband gifted me a framed print of Her Grace that lives on my art desk alongside other treasures.
I try to keep my abiding love for all humanity in one place, but somehow it always ends up in piles on the dining room table. — DG
Duchess claims to an abiding love for all humanity, Anonymous, not so much. Proof that we can be all things at once, no matter how contradictory. It’s who we all are. Complicated, slightly broken, funny, generous, and oh so very odd. Thank goodness!
I’m so glad you’re here,
xo Lorene
Upcoming Workshop
I’m excited to be offering a Seeing Color workshop with The Field Trip Society who puts together classes and adventures for curious grown-ups.
The workshop will take place Sunday, September 29th here in Seattle. Click the button below for complete details and registration information. I’d love to see you!
Color my World
When I’m giving a workshop, I always implore students to not just paint the pretty colors. That’s not how nature works.
Some summer plants practically blare in the garden: Pick ME! Pick ME! Don’t get me wrong, I love those blooms. I’m happy to say my recent love for common marigolds is still strong and I can’t wait to string a garland later this month.
But airy gomphrena (Gomphrena decumbens) merely whispers. Tall branching plants with needle-thin stems wink with teeny tiny hot pink flowers that look like a fairy paintbrush.
Opera rose on my watercolor palette is indispensable.
Oh September. There you are in all your burnished days and slanting light. I’ve missed you. Let’s enjoy these days.
Ever since spring I’ve been collecting and saving dried petals to contribute to the floral confetti that we’ll toss at next week’s wedding celebration joining our son and his love. We are so excited!!!
The wedding is next Friday, so I’ll be skipping a week of this newsletter so I can dance, and flower, and shed happy tears.
Living the life aquatic— or maybe it’s just kale.
As most of my friends know, I love brown plants and rusty metal objects in the garden. Pseudopanax ferox checks both of these boxes. More often than not, first time visitors to the garden ask if the Seuss-like tree at the front entry is a metal sculpture. Even after touching the toothy lanced leaves they still can’t believe this is a living plant.
I’ve had this plant in the garden for nearly 10 years which means it’s come through several deep freezes without a blemish — then again, who could tell? The littles are fascinated with the “chainsaw plant” — I see future plant geeks, which warms this Nana’s heart.
2025 Calendar Presale
Huge thanks to everyone who has placed a preorder for the 2025 Living Color calendars. These early orders help me plan, but mostly your support means the world to me. I suppose I don’t have to tell you but calendars make great gifts for everyone on your list, including teachers, babysitters, neighbors and loved ones.
Duchess Goldblatt’s Writing Advice: Use all the letters, not just vowels. Spread them around the page until you get the look you want. — DG