my first ever art journal page! it started as an assignment for misty mawn’s stretching within e-course.
i began, very tentatively, with a black background. then added an image i was drawn to in an anthropologie catalog (i was really loving the doves above her head).
then i tried painting over the girl’s face and she got this brilliant red hair. i was really amazed at just how reserved i felt with this first art journal page.
i had all sorts of energy and vibrant brush strokes when it came to laying down color, but as soon as i went into details, i froze. that’s when i layered on more images, like the dragonfly and window.
i still felt like it needed more. i found this rounded shape and pasted it above her head. that’s when my mind started thinking…what is this? and most of the time when i’m painting, i try to stop thinking, but this time i had a lot of emotion, feeling literally caged in, so i went with it.
drawing this girl all caged in then became incredibly freeing for me. it allowed me to move through that emotion and reminded me just how healing art can be!
Add comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Abstract and Figurative Painter
Juliette Crane creates luminous, dreamlike paintings shaped by memory, imagination and nature. She builds translucent layers of color until something familiar begins to emerge. Based in Wisconsin’s scenic Driftless Region, her work is represented by select galleries across the United States.
From The Studio
Sign up for news about upcoming shows, new work previews, and occasional notes from the studio.
Related posts
A few years ago, I wrote a novel about a magical world. I was one of 14 writers accepted into a 6 week writing workshop on the east coast. And when I finished my novel, I flew out to Washington DC to meet with my ideal literary agent. But then I got super scared and burned out. Because of that burn-out, I needed to heal... Continue reading
I used to be afraid to raise my hand in class. I’d learned that my ways of thinking and seeing were different from everyone else. When I shared an idea, I was often laughed at or told it was impossible. So I learned to stay quiet and be shy. When I was in the third grade we had an art project where we were supposed... Continue reading
Lately I’ve been going back to painting owls. For awhile I had been creating these very renaissance-style portraits with soft, realistic faces and incredible hair. I enjoyed that I could make them look very human, but still full of magic and color. While I still adore creating these flower girls, I found that these paintings were missing something. After countless attempts in the studio, many... Continue reading
11 comments
NatashaMay
I love that you're describing the process of it. Beautiful journal page!
Incipient Wings
it's beautiful!!!
this is so cool….:)
wallflower
Oh cool, this is different from your usual stuff.
Really interesting.
Cathy Bueti
Wow this is amazing!! Love it! So different than your other work! Very cool! 🙂
Isabel
So cool!So fun to learn different techniques:O) Thanx for sharing the process:O)
Carrie
I love how you describe your thinking process. This work is different to your owl work, but I can also see your voice in it, with your use of colour and layers of paint.
Jenny Stevning
So wonderful to see the progress! Lovely! I admire you willingness. Art journaling makes me a wee bit nervous.
funkyfeisty
Amazing! Thank you for sharing each step of the way. Right now I am currently over thinking something I want to do. This is going to be my inspiration.
WrightStuff
I love all the energy in this.
Just signed up for Flora's workshop on the May retreat in Yorkshire! See you there!!!! I am so excited!!!!!
SaraLynn
It's beautiful! I love how expressive your version of the girl is (I like her MUCH better than the original). It will so so interesting so see what you do next!
Kolleen
very very cool …. inspiring!!!!
oxoxox
k