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Everywhere I Look, You are Left Behind. (9×12″ on bristol paper)
……….
Sometimes a painting takes a few tries and what seem to be mistakes, before I finally find the character.
This bear started out looking completely different. I’d been feeling like going back to one of my characters with feathers in her hair.
Usually, when I have a character in mind, that is never what my painting ends up looking like. Because when I have an image in mind, it becomes a block. It keeps me from discovering and uncovering something new. But it is always a place to start.
The important thing for me is knowing when to let go.
For this bear, I added lots of layers of papers, acrylics, inks, chalk, water soluble oil pastels, oil paintsticks, paint pens and pencil on bristol paper.
I love the way the feathers made their way back into the bear’s body in the end. In that way, each layer becomes part of the painting’s story.
The title of this piece is Everywhere I Look, You are Left Behind. (9×12″ on bristol paper)
It is meant to represent that feeling after someone you loves leaves and you are the one left behind. All of the memories from the time you spent with that person come flooding back in every moment, so that everywhere you look you see them and miss them.
The beautiful and talented writer Katherine Fugate recently posted, “My daughter woke up crying about a friend who is leaving town. It was so sweet and sensitive and kind. I said, when we miss someone – we tell them. Always. So we sent an email to the friend’s mom. Always reach out and say – I miss you. Lessons that begin in childhood and should be lived until our last days.”
I love that.
What have you been inspired by lately?
This time of year I am always inspired by spring and flowers. It feels like everything is just beginning to wake up. I’d love to know what inspires
you too and will be sure to look for your inspirations in the comments section.
And, if you know someone who might enjoy this post, please feel free to share it (there are links right above the comments section).
Thank you so very much for all of your support and encouragement.
With gratitude,
Ps. The early bird spaces for my new online workshop Happy Painting – A Mini Course have sold out , but you can still join us when class begins April 27. 3 month payment plans are also available. Thank you to everyone who has already registered!
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HELLO
I'M JULIETTE
A painter, writer, and creator of The School Of Happy Painting, online courses to help you loosen up, let go, and develop your own unique style.
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2 comments on “A New Painting From Start To Finish”
joanne
I am inspired by your Juliette — I have grown in leaps and bounds thanks to your inspiration — I take many online classes, but I feel that yours inspire me the most — not only are your lessons great with lots of great techniques, but I love seeing how you are not afraid to paint over and transform your paintings into a new one — I also think that it is great that you comment on every piece of work with encouragement not just hitting the like button — looking forward to your 21 secrets lesson — love connie and have done 21 secrets for a few years now as well as all of her other 21 secrets offerings — thanks again joanne
Juliette Crane
thank you so much, joanne. i just love seeing your artwork so much… and always adore watching it evolve in each class 🙂 xo