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I’m writing to you today from my creative sabbatical at the beach in Florida, where I’ve just finished the first messy layers of six new paintings.

As I mentioned, I’ve been painting dreamscapes, which has made me feel like a beginner all over again. I’m experimenting with new ways to build colorful layers and constantly reminding myself to have fun with whatever I’m painting.

I’ve had some big realizations about my work in the new year. The biggest one is that I simply want to paint large — with layers and color. I’m still using small studies as a place to begin, but they feel even more freeing now that I see them as inspiration and research, rather than the final outcome.

Whenever I play, I feel calmer and more connected. It helps quiet my inner critic so I can follow my heart and paint without the pressure of everything needing to be perfect.

To help myself stay in that playful space, I pay close attention to how I’m feeling while I paint — especially when frustration shows up. The elements that work become the techniques and colors I return to when I hit an “ugly stage.” I think of them as my fallback techniques or go-to colors — my favorites.

Over time, these favorites shape my style. And as I keep adding more of what I love, my artistic voice continues to evolve — and so do I.

The invitation is to be gentle with yourself. Paint something that feels a little weird or wonky. Reach for your favorite colors. Let yourself make mistakes. That’s often when the magic happens and things begin to fall into place.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

*Start with Play, Not Perfection – Grab your favorite colors and make marks without worrying about the outcome.

*Work in Layers – Let each layer dry and reveal what wants to come next.

*Limit Your Palette – Choose 3 colors. This makes it much easier to avoid overwhelm and just get started.

Don’t hold back. Have fun painting on canvas or watercoloring in your sketchbook. Over time, this kind of play can become a daily practice that inspires you.

When you look back at your paintings, notice what you loved — and what you remember enjoying most. Try those elements again. You never know where they might lead.

I’ll be sharing more of my work with you soon. In the meantime, with everything happening in the world, I’m keeping registration open with 50% off my lifetime-access courses. I hope they continue to bring you joy, connection, and comfort.

I hope to paint with some of you in class!

xo Juliette

P.S. 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.