When I’m struggling to be loose in my art, I’ll often take a step away.

I make a smoothie, go for a walk, or lay in the hammock and read. This makes me stop and look around, so I’m not so focused on painting something perfect.

Then I can get out of my head and paint from my heart again.

The other day when this happened, I was in the middle of this new painting (she’s called ‘You Are Enough’ 11” x 14”).

I’d wiped this painting away so many times. It turned to mud and I had to let it dry.
When I came back to it, I saw her hair and made it a bright pyrrole red. She reminded me of my younger self at a time when I would wear my mom’s poncho from the 70’s.

Adding those little bits of my history made her feel close to my heart.

It all became a calming process, playing and working with symbols from my past and remembering there’s no right or wrong way.

Once I’d returned to having fun, I let go. From there my creativity was free.

I’m working on a few more small portraits that I’m so excited to share with you soon!

This project is one I come back to again and again to loosen up. It’s a painting project from my Whimsical Animals class.

I’ll be sharing some of my favorite techniques for painting animals in the next session of Whimsical Animals class… Click Here to Learn More About It.

If you’ve been wanting to take an art class, this is the perfect place to start.

In the class videos I talk you through my process, explaining my mistakes and frustrations, so you can create more work you love.

Being loose and free in my art is something I’ve learned to do. Having fun and playing as I paint allows me to capture the soul of my characters.

But sometimes I need to get out of my own way and start playing, so I can stop thinking so much and really uncover the beauty.

That’s when I go back to painting whimsical animals. Animals and nature have always made me smile and remind me to have fun and loosen up in my art.

Because when I’m at a creative block, I’ll come up with a million reasons why I can’t or shouldn’t paint.

I’ll often feel uninspired, especially when I’m pushing myself creatively to try something new.

But instead of staying stuck, I go back to having fun and paint something I know I’ll love – like a fox, an owl or a cat.

I keep it simple.

I keep it easy.

I keep it fun.

In this video preview you’ll see:

• • My techniques for loosening up and creating mixed media layers
  • The process I use to paint intuitively and cover up my art
  • My method for making a painting fit together so the eyes and features aren’t just floating in space

Here’s a little of what students are saying about their experiences in my classes…

“This class changed my art life forever! One of the best classes I have ever taken. Juliette is so clear and easy to follow along. I never thought I would be able to paint an owl, or any animal. now I just paint them easily! I am forever grateful to this class!” -Angelica Escalera

“I love your forgiving approach and so appreciate your personal thoughts, especially tips for working through the creative ruts and dry spells we all encounter from time to time.” -Kim Lacefield

“Juliette shares every step of her creative process in an honest way. The videos are worth watching over and over. I am inspired to try so many new things!” -Mo Brady

“Juliette, you gave me more inspiration and courage than you will ever know — I enjoy your easy going nature and that you show us your frustrations and how you make what you consider ugly characters into wonderful ones.” -Joanne Summy

Click here to learn more about Whimsical Animals class.

Happy painting!
xo Juliette

P.S. I’ve also put together a Free Painting Workshop to share more of my favorite techniques – from covering up the white space to finished painting… click HERE to join my Free Painting Workshop and learn how I create a painting in 30 minutes.