Moon Art with Watercolors
Have you noticed that many of my artworks feature the word "moon" in their titles? From Moon Orchid to Floral Moonrise, Day Blooming Moon, and Floral Moonlight, since 2016, I have painted over a hundred watercolors inspired by the moon.
The truth is, I have always been fascinated by the moon. Every month in my studio, I celebrate the full moon with cacao, shamanic drumming, painting, and, if the weather allows, a fire. I usually do this with friends, and occasionally, I offer these gatherings to students as well.
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| Blue Galaxy Moon, 2019. | Creative Gatherings | Workshop London |
How Did It Start?
One of my favorite places to gather inspiration in London is Richmond. A close friend of mine used to live there, and we would go on long walks, often followed by tea or lunch at a beautiful spot called Petersham Nurseries. When you enter the nursery, they have these large bowls of water filled with leaves and seasonal flowers. On several occasions, we were lucky enough to watch the staff create these gorgeous arrangements.
The first time I saw one, I thought to myself, "It looks like a flower moon." That image stuck with me.
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| Flowers at Petersham Nurseries. | Flower Moon, Ingrid Sanchez, 2018. |
Flower Moon and Moon Names
Later, I learned that many full moons have traditional names, which were historically used to mark the changing seasons. For instance, the Flower Moon refers to the full moon in May, when spring flowers bloom in abundance.
At the time, I was already painting with inspiration from the seasons, but learning about these moon names opened up a whole new world of creative ideas for me. Initially, I painted a piece each month, reflecting the moon of that season. Over time, however, I began creating my own "moons," inspired by the nature around me.
The Names of the Full Moons
- Wolf Moon: The first full moon of the year, named for the wolves thought to howl more during the winter.
- Snow Moon: The full moon in February, named after the snowiest month in North America.
- Worm Moon: The March full moon, marking the appearance of earthworms in warmer regions.
- Pink Moon: The April full moon, named for the pink blossoms that signal the arrival of spring.
- Flower Moon: The full moon in May, when spring flowers flourish.
- Strawberry Moon: June's full moon, named for the ripening of strawberries.
- Buck Moon: The July full moon, marking the time when buck deer grow new antlers.
- Sturgeon Moon: August's full moon, named for the abundance of sturgeon in this season.
Inspiration Comes From Everywhere
And there you have it—the story of how a simple bowl of water filled with petals, combined with my love for the moon, sparked the creation of a whole body of artwork. Here are a few of my favorite moon-inspired pieces.
