One of the things I love about living in another country is exposure to art and artists that I might not otherwise find. My current British Artist Crush (BAC) is Rena Gardiner, an artist and printmaker who lived and worked in Dorset (1929 - 1999).

Her work captures some of the things that really appeal to me: inspired, whimsical landscapes; delicate line; color combinations that are unexpected and lush; translucency and layers. Love!

Just as remarkable is that she was apparently a one-woman DIY publisher of her 45+ books, which she illustrated, printed, bound, and distributed on her own. Makes modern day, crowdsource-funded self-published books look easy by comparison!

A new book about this unsung heroine is now out, available through Little Toller Books.