A world drawn with chalk
Remembering the artist we were before we learned to judge ourselves
Today, while walking through the park, I stopped to watch children drawing on the pavement with colourful chalks.
They were completely absorbed in their own little worlds. A simple line became a flower, a house, a creature or a story. They did not stop to analyse whether the proportions were correct or whether someone would approve of their creation.
There was no hesitation.
No fear of making a mistake.
No question about whether their drawing was “good enough”.
They were simply creating.
And watching them made me wonder:
When did we stop creating just for the joy of it?
We were all creative once
Most of us were once like those children.
We painted, drew, built things, experimented and imagined without worrying about talent or technique. A piece of paper could become anything. A collection of leaves could become a treasure. A few colours could create an entire world.
Creativity was not something we had to earn. It was not something reserved for people who were considered “artistic”.
It was simply part of being curious about the world.
Then life became busy.
School, work, responsibilities and everyday demands slowly changed our relationship with creativity. Many of us moved away from making things just because they brought us joy.
Somewhere along the way, we started to judge ourselves.
“I’m not artistic.”
“I don’t have enough talent.”
“I wouldn’t know where to start.”
“I was never good at drawing.”
But perhaps creativity was never lost.
Perhaps we simply forgot about it.
Little lines, big dreams
Before we learned to be perfect
Creativity is not a talent reserved for artists
One of the biggest misconceptions about creativity is that it belongs only to professional artists.
But creativity is much wider than creating a perfect painting.
Creativity is the ability to notice, imagine, explore and express. It is the curiosity that makes us look closer, ask questions and see possibilities where others might not.
It can be found in gardening, cooking, arranging flowers, photography, writing or simply observing the details of nature around us.
Creativity is not about perfection.
It is about connection.
Painting is one way to reconnect with that part of ourselves.
The magic of simple things
Chalk memories
Childhood written on the pavement
The moment I discovered a different way of seeing
For many years, my world was business.
I spent decades building companies, developing ideas and creating opportunities. I loved the energy of creating something from nothing, but later in life I discovered another form of creation — one that was quieter, more reflective and deeply connected to nature.
Botanical art opened a completely new chapter for me.
Through studying botanical painting and observing plants closely, I discovered something unexpected:
Painting was not only about creating an image.
It was about learning to see.
A single flower became a world of shapes, textures, colours and details that I had never noticed before.
A petal was no longer just a petal. A leaf was no longer just a leaf.
Each plant had its own story.
The more I looked, the more I discovered.
A moment of painting and nature
Why botanical painting?
Nature is one of the greatest teachers of observation.
When you paint a leaf, a petal or a flower, you slow down enough to truly notice it. You begin to see the delicate structure of a plant, the subtle changes of colour, the patterns and details that are invisible when we simply walk past.
In our busy lives, we often see nature without really looking at it.
Botanical painting invites us to pause.
To observe.
To appreciate.
It is not only about the final artwork hanging on the wall.
It is about the experience of paying attention and discovering beauty in the smallest details.
This is what makes painting so meaningful. It gives us a moment to be fully present.
It is never too late to begin
Many people tell me:
“I would love to paint, but I am not an artist.”
My answer is simple:
You do not need to start as an artist.
You only need curiosity.
Every artist begins with a first mark, a first brushstroke and a willingness to explore. Nobody begins with perfect knowledge or confidence. Creativity grows through practice, patience and the courage to begin.
Sometimes the biggest barrier is not a lack of ability.
It is the belief that we are not allowed to try.
But creativity belongs to everyone.
It is not something we lose with age. It is something we can return to at any stage of life.
A palette full of possibilities
Introducing Painting with Inessa
This belief is the reason I am creating Painting with Inessa.
Launching in October 2026, this free creative journey is for anyone who would like to discover painting, reconnect with creativity and explore the beauty of nature through botanical art.
No previous experience is needed.
You do not need to consider yourself an artist.
You only need curiosity and the willingness to begin.
Through painting, we will explore how to look closer, notice more and unlock the creativity that has always been within us.
This is an invitation to remember the creative part of yourself that may have been waiting quietly for years.
Because sometimes we do not need to learn how to be creative.
Sometimes we just need to remember.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Inessa Falina is a London-based botanical artist and teacher. A fellow of the Linnean Society in London and member of the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society and Society Botanical Artists, she has exhibited at The Mall Galleries and Chelsea Old Town Hall, with work held in private collections across Europe, the USA and Australia. Through her art and teaching, she helps people slow down, observe nature deeply and find calm through the practice of painting. You can follow her work on Instagram at @inessa.falina
— Inessa
