Whenever I need to loosen up, I start playing with color and experimenting with art supplies.

I’ve always loved experimenting with spray inks in my paintings. I used to hand cut stencils on paper and add spray inks to create a gradient effect (layering many colors over one stencil).

Lately I’ve been using acrylic inks more for splatter experiments. In a recent painting, I made a pool of neon pink liquid watercolor, then added spray inks on top. Then I dripped cadmium yellow on top and swirled it together to create an abstract flower.

I loved the look so much I used this technique again to start my next background.

But oftentimes I’ll begin my background with colors I’ve bought but never use. This keeps me less attached to the outcome. I’m not so afraid to be using up all of my best supplies, so I can be more fearless and loose as I paint.

I’ve fallen in love with mixed media painting and out of all of the painting techniques I’ve ever tried, the one thing I always return to is remembering to have fun with whatever it is I’m creating.

This brings joy into the process, which inevitably gets infused into your artwork and always makes anyone who sees it smile.

You’ll see how I use these ideas and techniques in the Serendipity 1 – Develop Your Style video below.

In this 19 minute video you’ll see some of my favorite techniques and supplies for loosening up and letting go when I begin a painting.

This project is perfect for loosening up and letting go. This is part of a painting project from my Serendipity 1 – Develop Your Style online class, where you’ll learn to build a cohesive body of work and paint in a style that’s unique to YOU.

I’ve always loved art and have been creative, but I stopped painting and creating for years after college. I hid that part of myself away.

I didn’t want to do anything creative if I couldn’t do it all the time. It was just too painful. So I hopped from job to job to job until I was fired in 2008. I started painting again to heal my heart.

I didn’t think my creativity mattered. But now I realize that not creating was what held me back and really crushed my spirit.

So now I create something every day. Then I can remember to be kinder to myself, keep following my joy and doing more of what I love.

Happy painting!
xo Juliette

P.S. I’ve also put together a Free Painting Workshop… Click HERE to Get Instant-Access.