Almost a year ago, I was sitting on my deck looking at the sunflowers growing in our backyard garden. They had grown so tall I could see them over the fence. For days, maybe even weeks, I kept telling myself, “I should paint those sunflowers.”
Then one day, I did.
I was so excited to sign that painting with my initials, LR, and 25 to commemorate the year I painted my first piece from my backyard. I was so proud of it that I hung it in my kitchen where we can see it every day. That’s also when I told myself I wanted to start a Backyard Collection.
Little did I know my next painting would be my husband holding one of our beautiful black Cayuga ducks. I spent about six months painting my husband, all his hair (lol), and the duck. It was fun and surprisingly therapeutic getting to know my husband on a different level through painting him.
Then came my most recent painting. I finished it on June 22. Seeing it all come together and trusting the process was rewarding. I’m honestly impressed with how it turned out.
I’m choosing to share only the signatures today because this post isn’t about a full reveal it’s about the milestone. I have three finished, signed paintings. I thought about signing my full name, but “LR” just looks beautiful on the canvas. It’s my mark. These paintings are inspired by the beauty in my backyard and the idea of turning the hard, muddy, and rocky parts of life into art.
I started an email list for my Backyard Collection. Join me on the journey and be the first to know when new paintings and originals are available. Link in bio.
I read this book a couple of weeks ago, and out of the entire thing, this quote stood out to me.
I'm in a season of transition and feeling confused about a lot of things in my life. Reading this reminded me that maybe confusion doesn't always mean you're lost. Sometimes it means you're finding your own path.
This quote made me feel a little better, so I thought I'd share it.
When I came up with Heaven My Cake, I wanted a name that meant I was doing my own thing…MY cake, MY way. I wanted to reach for the sky, so “heaven” felt right. Put it together… Heaven My Cake.
Then earlier this year we were watching all the Marvel movies and I started thinking… if I were a superhero, I’d be “The Visionary.” I liked the idea of people asking, “Who is this visionary? We need to know about her because she’s doing her thing.” lol.
But recently I’ve been feeling like I don’t need to be the “future me” or the person trying to predict what’s next based on everything I’ve been through. I just need to be the person I am today. Not the visionary looking ahead… not the old version of me holding onto the past… just here.
Right now.
Painting my life as it is.
That means I’m not just about cake anymore. I’m not trying to be a “visionary.” I’m just living in the now… taking the hard, muddy, rocky parts and turning them into art. And honestly, that feels powerful in itself.
There’s something beautiful about realizing I can take what’s in my family, my yard, my home, my environment, my dirt… and turn it into something meaningful. Something real.
Anyway, I want to share more of these thoughts and give you a little bit of peace and real backyard vibes in your inbox. Following my art journey, what I’m creating, and what I’m moving through in real life… inside Backyard Notes. We’re just getting started.
P.S. If you’re on my Heaven My Cake email list, I’ll be sending an update soon about everything I’ve been up to. In the meantime, you can join Backyard Notes here: lenoraross.kit.com/backyardnotes
Lenora Ross Art
Almost a year ago, I was sitting on my deck looking at the sunflowers growing in our backyard garden. They had grown so tall I could see them over the fence. For days, maybe even weeks, I kept telling myself, “I should paint those sunflowers.”
Then one day, I did.
I was so excited to sign that painting with my initials, LR, and 25 to commemorate the year I painted my first piece from my backyard. I was so proud of it that I hung it in my kitchen where we can see it every day. That’s also when I told myself I wanted to start a Backyard Collection.
Little did I know my next painting would be my husband holding one of our beautiful black Cayuga ducks. I spent about six months painting my husband, all his hair (lol), and the duck. It was fun and surprisingly therapeutic getting to know my husband on a different level through painting him.
Then came my most recent painting. I finished it on June 22. Seeing it all come together and trusting the process was rewarding. I’m honestly impressed with how it turned out.
I’m choosing to share only the signatures today because this post isn’t about a full reveal it’s about the milestone. I have three finished, signed paintings. I thought about signing my full name, but “LR” just looks beautiful on the canvas. It’s my mark. These paintings are inspired by the beauty in my backyard and the idea of turning the hard, muddy, and rocky parts of life into art.
I started an email list for my Backyard Collection. Join me on the journey and be the first to know when new paintings and originals are available. Link in bio.
1 week ago | [YT] | 3
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Lenora Ross Art
I finished my third painting in the Backyard Collection today. I signed it, which means it's officially finished. 🥹🙌🙃
1 week ago | [YT] | 2
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Lenora Ross Art
I read this book a couple of weeks ago, and out of the entire thing, this quote stood out to me.
I'm in a season of transition and feeling confused about a lot of things in my life. Reading this reminded me that maybe confusion doesn't always mean you're lost. Sometimes it means you're finding your own path.
This quote made me feel a little better, so I thought I'd share it.
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3
View 0 replies
Lenora Ross Art
I changed my name again…
Where do I start… lol
When I came up with Heaven My Cake, I wanted a name that meant I was doing my own thing…MY cake, MY way. I wanted to reach for the sky, so “heaven” felt right. Put it together… Heaven My Cake.
Then earlier this year we were watching all the Marvel movies and I started thinking… if I were a superhero, I’d be “The Visionary.” I liked the idea of people asking, “Who is this visionary? We need to know about her because she’s doing her thing.” lol.
But recently I’ve been feeling like I don’t need to be the “future me” or the person trying to predict what’s next based on everything I’ve been through. I just need to be the person I am today.
Not the visionary looking ahead… not the old version of me holding onto the past… just here.
Right now.
Painting my life as it is.
That means I’m not just about cake anymore. I’m not trying to be a “visionary.” I’m just living in the now… taking the hard, muddy, rocky parts and turning them into art. And honestly, that feels powerful in itself.
There’s something beautiful about realizing I can take what’s in my family, my yard, my home, my environment, my dirt… and turn it into something meaningful. Something real.
Anyway, I want to share more of these thoughts and give you a little bit of peace and real backyard vibes in your inbox. Following my art journey, what I’m creating, and what I’m moving through in real life… inside Backyard Notes. We’re just getting started.
P.S. If you’re on my Heaven My Cake email list, I’ll be sending an update soon about everything I’ve been up to. In the meantime, you can join Backyard Notes here: lenoraross.kit.com/backyardnotes
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 4
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Lenora Ross Art
First sunflower of the season bloomed today.
So excited!
1 month ago | [YT] | 4
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Lenora Ross Art
My favorite place to paint. What’s your spot?
1 month ago | [YT] | 3
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Lenora Ross Art
Me, my art, and the backyard. 🥹🪵🥂🍓
2 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Lenora Ross Art
Making progress on my painting. 🎨🍓🪵
2 months ago | [YT] | 3
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Lenora Ross Art
I painted this last summer, but I only just found the courage to sign it and hang it in my kitchen last month.
I’m not sure why I waited so long to put my mark on it.
Maybe because it was the first time I didn't look for an idea online.
I just listened to the 'whisper' of my own backyard.
I signed it LR ‘25 to officially mark the very first painting in the Backyard Collection.
It represents the garden my husband built and a moment I needed to capture forever.
I put it in the heart of the home to set a frequency:
Sunflowers are attracted to the sun, and I want everyone who walks through this kitchen to remember that they are the light.
If you stay bright, the beauty will always find you. 🌻🪵
3 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Lenora Ross Art
Harvesting some collard greens for dinner tonight. I can’t wait to eat them.
3 months ago | [YT] | 2
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