My husband and I went to see an aerial dance performance at our local botanical gardens the other day.

We picnicked in the grass as the sun set, admiring the colors and listening to the amazing taiko drums that accompanied the show. I’ve always loved aerial dance (I even tried a class once), but I much prefer watching it. I find it completely moving, just like painting.

My creative process often feels like a dance.

I move from one painting to the next, blending colorful patterns made by dripping inks, finger painting, and detailed brushwork. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on a commission, creating lots of small studies, then adding layers to the large painting, and working on a few other pieces while the paint dries.

I start every painting with colorful layers. When I don’t like the way the color dries, I cover it up. I love this stage of the process, which is all about experimentation and play.

For these paintings, I’m working on primed canvas but using techniques meant for raw canvas. I’ve been experimenting with this process in the small studies. It has been a blast to play with the watered-down supplies.

I can’t even say how invigorating it is to create from that place of the unknown again. Like a child, just going with what happens, knowing there’s no right or wrong. It’s how I generally approach my process, but using these new techniques has taken that awakening even deeper.

I thought you might enjoy a look at my process… watch these video sneak peeks below.

All of these paintings were created with high flow acrylics and inks. I love layering these supplies in my paintings.

The colors move me—or don’t move me. With these super liquid layers, I have to take many steps away to let them dry before adding more. There are many layers to go, but I am loving playing with lots of rainbows and light.

I just might leave a few of them as abstract paintings, full of vibrant color.

The invitation is to follow whatever brings you the most joy. Take a moment to play with watercolors or drip inks with acrylics, whether on canvas or in a sketchbook. If you make a mistake and want to start over or make your painting perfect again—especially if something unexpected happens—I encourage you to allow those happy accidents to shine in your work.

I know that freedom in my work doesn’t happen unless I’m following my heart. That means keeping things colorful by dancing between what’s in my comfort zone and experimenting with something new. I have to play, paint something completely imperfect, and then keep following my joy and doing more of what I love.

If you haven’t seen it yet, or if it’s been a while and you need extra inspiration ❤️ there are some Free Resources for you here.

I hope they help you get started and spark your creativity!

If you want to learn more about mixed media and sketchbook painting – I’m teaching my process at my upcoming in-person retreats (we’ll paint from our beautiful surroundings, memories, and our imaginations).

I’ve also put together my self-paced online course, The Portrait Painting Masterclass (we paint portraits using mixed media on canvas and watercolors).

Happy painting!

xo Juliette