In case you missed my note last week, I’m planning an in-person painting retreat! A few years ago, I co-led a retreat in Port Townsend, Washington. One highlight was the final day’s painting showcase, where we admired everyone’s creations. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect, hear the stories behind the artwork, and understand why each person joined the retreat.

I’ve always taught mixed media at retreats, and many of you were excited to learn more. I’ll definitely be sharing my process, along with watercolors and sketchbook paintings in nature, at my upcoming retreats. I’m just reviewing the plans now and can’t wait to share all of the details with you!

If you’d love to paint together now—I am thrilled to open the doors for THE SCHOOL OF HAPPY PAINTING MEMBERSHIP, the deepest and most comprehensive class offering I’ve ever put together, offering access to seven of my online courses!

It’s perfect if you’ve been wanting to develop your style, loosen up in your art, and confidently share your creations with the world. With me as your guide, you’ll explore various painting techniques, experiment with new mediums, and learn to paint in a style that is unique to YOU 😊

JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP HERE

I’ve been thinking a lot about how creativity moves us in different directions. One moment I can be sketching and that moves me into a new idea for a small study, which then inspires something larger. It’s this constant flow that not only saturates my art but gets infused into my everyday life. It reminds me to stay loose, let go, and always take a step back to see if I’m heading in the right direction.

This new painting is called ‘Beauty In Imperfection.’ 12” x 12” on cradled wood. She’s a reminder to let the imperfections and mistakes rise to the surface and shine.

Click here to visit my Originals Shop.

I’ve been taking all kinds of nature walks through the woods in Wisconsin, so this painting is inspired by the beauty and peace experienced in nature… especially springtime and trees, moss, and puffy clouds.

This painting was inspired by this sketch. So I started with an initial image in mind, but these sketches are always just starting points. I never know where they will really lead me.

Then, when I began the painting, I covered up the white space with a few first layers of circles, created with inks and acrylics. I wanted to keep her on the sketchy-side like the drawing that inspired her in my sketchbook, so I’ve let lots of her pencil marks shine through!

I normally cover up purple whenever I use it, but it seems to suit her along with all of the imperfections and beautiful mistakes that came out in every layer.

Oftentimes my initial reaction is to hide a big mistake, cover it up if it’s a giant spill across the face – but I’ve learned that leaving it be and seeing where it leads is what pushes my work in new directions and helps continue to develop my style.

Sometimes all I need is to get out of my comfort zone and start playing again, so I can stop thinking so much and really get into a flow.

If you’re feeling uninspired, stuck, or searching for new techniques and variety, The School of Happy Painting Membership is here to guide you.

The classes will motivate and inspire you, guiding you to love the creative process, connect more deeply with your style, and find joy as an artist.

You’ll paint mixed media faces and eyes, watercolor portraits, whimsical animals, women with flower crowns, and so much more! There are paintings you can do in just a few minutes or totally dive in with layered mixed media paintings on canvas and two big paintings from start to finish.

For those of you who share a passion for mixed media and creative inspiration, I invite you to explore the School Of Happy Painting Membership by clicking here.

I can’t wait to see you in the membership!

xo Juliette