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I’ve carried this tension for as long as I can remember — a quiet tug-of-war between my love of whimsy, imagination, and color, and the “professionalism” I thought I was supposed to embody.

When I began writing my novel, I was accepted into a six-week program in New Hampshire with thirteen other genre writers. The feedback I received made me lose my voice for a while: too much imagination, too much color. Too childlike.

Earlier in my career, when I pursued surface pattern design, I was told my paintings had too much color, too many layers. They just wouldn’t work. It felt eerily familiar.

For a while, I believed them.

But a few years ago, I flew to Los Angeles to meet my dream literary agent at a book event. One afternoon, I found myself at a table with a group of readers and book lovers. As we talked, woman after woman shared how much they longed for more imagination, more color in their lives.

I told them about the novel I had just finished — a story for adults about a woman who can step into her own paintings. I still believe there’s a place for this book, and that it will be loved.

Because I’m starting to understand something important: whether it’s through painting or writing, my work will always be filled with imagination and color. It’s not a flaw. It’s my language. It’s how my heart speaks to the world.

Today, I want to share my picture book with you — a self-published project I created with my husband a few years ago. I wrote the story, painted the art, and designed every page.

The whole thing came to me in one unexpected swoop of inspiration while I was staying alone in the Texas Hill Country. I didn’t love much about that season — it was lonely — but the place had a big Jacuzzi tub. One afternoon, soaking in the warm water, this story arrived almost fully formed.

It was exactly what I needed. And maybe it’s what you need, too.

I thought about making a more polished video for you which you can watch here, but when I rewatched the one I’d already filmed — with the birds singing and the faint hum of traffic in the background — I decided to keep it as it is. A little slice of real life to go with a big monster story.

This picture book offers an imaginary tale about making friends with the monsters in your closet — a story that speaks to the hearts of children and adults alike. Over the years, parents have written to tell me that reading it has helped their children fall asleep more peacefully, sometimes for the first time in weeks, and even kept the nightmares away.

I also created a coloring book of the same name, filled with playful illustrations from the story so children (and grown-ups) can bring the monsters to life in their own way.

It’s all for fans of Where The Wild Things Are, The Little Prince, Hope For The Flowers, The Giving Tree, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse—and for every budding artist.

It’s dedicated to anyone who has ever felt different or unimportant, and to my husband, Brian, who has helped me know the difference.

I hope you enjoy it.

From Big Monster—A Tale of Heart and Magic:

You know when there’s a monster in your closet, except no one can see him but you.

He’s big and hairy with giant shark teeth and big long claws.

But the kindest eyes.

You can’t help but go up to him and ask him to be friends.

You take his hand and he shows you where he lives.

He takes you into the woods and to his grandmother‘s house, which is a cute little cottage at the edge of the forest.

You never imagined a monster would come from such a beautiful place.

All of a sudden you realize this monster is not such a big hairy ugly mean monster at all.

You just had to let him out of your closet, and get to know him.

And if this story speaks to you, you might also enjoy reading the prologue to my novel. More than once, I’ve been told it could stand alone as a children’s book, and I would love that.

If you’d like me to share more of that story sometime, I’d be delighted. And I always treasure hearing what’s stirring in your own world, too.

I hope this invites you to step into the person you know you’re meant to become.

Sending so much love,

xo Juliette

P.S. Since I’ve been feeling called back to simplicity and creative play, I thought you might be too. That same spirit is woven into all of my online courses. There’s no right or wrong—just following joy, trusting your creative voice, and finding your own rhythm. If you’d like to see more of what I teach, you can explore my painting courses and free resources here.

All photos and artwork by Juliette Crane

This essay was originally published on my Substack, Living the Way of the Happy Painter.