7/28/10

a new print and my strength in curiosity

TITLE: Strength in Curiosity. Prints available in my etsy shop.

Have you ever felt like exploring something new or visiting somewhere totally unimaginable? I painted this new mixed media painting to express the freedom I feel when I follow these little whispers. And lately there have been a lot. Maybe that's because I've finally slowed down a bit to enjoy the summer, but all of my dreams are coming to the surface and I've been writing each one in my journal, so they don't slip away.

Today it's, "I feel like going to the book store and browsing for no reason." I have no idea where this came from, but it's definitely something I'm going to do today. When I lived in Chicago, the bookstore was right on the corner from my train transfer after work. I used to LOVE stopping into the store, just to look around. It was a moment I cherished, a moment just for myself, where I let my intuition guide me into the History or New Releases sections and allowed myself to pick up whatever book caught my eye. I know there is STRENGTH IN CURIOSITY. And when I listen to those little whispers they lead me to something, and usually it's something my heart has really been dying for.

For this new painting, I played with lots and lots of stencils and filled them in with layers of spray paint and acrylics. I especially loved using my flower stencil and am delighted by the red flowers floating in and out of the background. For her dress, I cut out a wide rectangle from my new origami paper and painted in her neck and arms with acrylics, then wanted to give her a really brilliant lime green skirt and embellished it with black ink and cut octagons from the origami paper to repeat that pattern. At some point, this girl also had wings, which you can barely make out now, but I covered them up and made her a strong lioness. Then I added all sorts of pastels, charcoal, pencil and orange acrylics to add more detail and definition to her face and head. Because I wanted to express how this lioness was following her curiosity, I added the white, snowy polka dots and a final coat of my very favorite vintage decoupage, for added softness and magic.

18 comments:

  1. Though I love technology, that's one of the things I will miss about tangible books if they ever become obsolete... being able to browse, talk to other readers, and pick up something unexpected.

    Glossing Over It

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  2. What a magical print! Beautiful work!

    http://www.capricornsoapco.blogspot.com

    -Christina

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  3. I love her and I love what she represents! It was so great reading this post. I think you really captured the look of curiosity in her face. I will let your post inspire me today-thank you :)
    xo

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  4. Writing your dreams and thoughts in a journal are so important especially for artists... I wish I did more of it. I find that I forget a lot of mine.

    I love your lioness! Love the colors and depth.

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  5. i love that she has wings underneath it all~ and that you are listening to your creative muse. :)

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  6. I feel that all the time of wanting to explore something new and experiementing along the way! Loving your new print. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

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  7. Dear Juliette, its so wonderful to read that you are following your intuition and that its leading you to your hearts desires! Thank you for sharing the process behind your new painting. I love the image of the lioness. I also love the colours, the textures and the rich layering! :)

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  8. Dear Juliette,
    I love the lioness painting. Her lime green skirt makes her look strong in her silence. She is beautiful. have a wonderful day.

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  9. thank you so much for all of your wonderful and supportive comments! they mean so much to me!

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  10. woaw more magical character that I like her gown. You're an artist Juliette. A greeting.

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  11. hope you had fun at the bookstore- always one of my favorite things to do. your painting is beautiful!

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  12. This one is very thought provoking for me... Curiosity yes... but also strength and courage are 2 of the feelings that she conjures up for me...

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  13. found a ton of great and inspiring things at the bookstore, then headed to the library to check out back issues of some of my favorite magazines!

    i agree, dianne. she definitely conjures up curiosity, strength and courage :)

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  14. Hello there! Nice to meet you! This looks great, its always a thrill to follow that little voice and see that its taken you somewhere wonderful. Thanks for stopping by!~
    heather

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  15. I love this and your desription of how she came about - I love how you just do what you feel and all this beauty and gorgeousness comes out!♥

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  16. Your painting is lovely! I too am trying to follow the whispers that are inside me.... although it is sometimes difficult to find the time (and the courage). Thank you for sharing.
    Kim

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  17. I think I have told you before that I really like your use of color. I must follow your inspiration to explore. :)

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Feel free to say hello and ask questions. I would be delighted to hear from you! xo -juliette

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