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I used to feel like I needed to keep moving to stay inspired. So, in the spring of 2018, I took a solo road trip out west. I visited my brother in Colorado and then stayed a few days in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
On this trip I felt so free. I remembered the importance of going out on my own, which always makes me discover new things about myself and remember what I love – like finding the perfect little tea shop and sketching in their garden at sunset and wandering back into the city on foot rather than taking a shuttle and following the well-known path.
Of course, being out of the studio also helps push my creativity in new directions. I love drawing on the road – creating in my little sketchbook.
I use a black, water-soluble pencil and water with a thin brush to smudge out my lines and add shading. I keep it all in a little shoulder bag with my water bottle and a few snacks. It’s the perfect thing for painting on the go. I found so much magic hiking through canyons and visiting the spots that Georgia O’Keeffe painted at Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu Lake.
While I loved getting back in touch with my free spirit and filling up with new inspirations, I found myself missing home.
Then the other day I saw a family of rabbits running and jumping in my backyard and I was inspired to paint these two little magical creatures together.
They represent the importance of connectedness and that feeling of home.
It’s not something I consciously started painting, but I stepped back from this piece and saw the second little character peeking out from the layers. I wanted them both to be some sort of huggable animal – but different from one another, sort of a combination of all animals together.
There is nothing like traveling and experiencing new things to reawaken inspiration.
But I finally realized it’s not always necessary to leave home to find and feel my inspiration. Sometimes it takes being away for awhile to remember to be still and slow down.
Happy painting!
xo, Juliette
Ps. Click HERE to join me for a Free Painting Workshop and Learn How To Paint An Owl.
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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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