Juliette Crane

a new Mixed Media Painting from start to finish!

2012-02-10T01:00:00.012-06:00

TITLE: A Sense Of Place. Prints available in my etsy shop.
Email me if you're interested in the original. juliette (at) juliettecrane(dot) com

this girl definitely went through a journey to get here.

i kept track of her progress in photos as well as wrote her story on the back of the painting. and the thing that stood out the most, was that so often she was being pulled in two different directions.

she started with red hair and lots of craziness in the background.

i knew i didn't like her, but i wasn't sure just where she should so next. so i made a bold move and gave her that rooster head. and that was the beginning of her character coming out.

i knew i liked that spot up in the left corner, but her face didn't match her new frock of head feathers.

after a bit of redoing her features, i finally found her look and dark hair.

with a little definition, i was loving her face. normally, that is the hardest part for me to bring out of the canvas, but with this girl, her features fell right into place.

i added some papers for the feathers in her hair...origami paper, book pages, and sheet music.

i've also been really inspired by and experimenting with lots of color and pattern. so her background was the thing that changed...over and over again.

until finally, she found her scene.

TITLE: A Sense Of Place. Prints available in my etsy shop.
Email me if you're interested in the original. juliette (at) juliettecrane(dot) com

and everything suddenly came together. i knew she'd found A SENSE OF PLACE.

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ps. i'll be sending out my newsletter soon-ish. if you'd like to see it in your inbox, sign up right here.

have a wonderful weekend!

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2012-02-09T01:00:00.005-06:00

Perfect pairings on the beach,

the tallest metal sculptures,

layers of paint,

the perfect lookout,

rows of glass,

red hibiscus,

the smell of flowers,

tiled tables,

and blueberry smoothies on the balcony.

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i love yayoi kusama!

2012-02-06T01:00:00.001-06:00

do you know artist yayoi kusama?

while in college, i was lucky enough to come across yayoi kusama's work during an exhibit at the walker art center in minneapolis. i remember walking into her infinity mirrors installation and being so blown away. i adored the idea of creating an entire dreamy room that an audience can step into. i've always had this love for being able to record my dreams and imagination, and kusama's installations so often have that feeling.

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a new Mixed Media Painting - SET FREE

2012-02-03T01:00:00.011-06:00

TITLE: Set Free. Prints available in my shop. Please contact me about the original (10x10")

one of my favorite things about painting is when a story reveals itself to me in the image. sometimes it happens in the layers. but in the case with this painting SET FREE, it was the final image that told the story.

as i created this piece, i had in mind the ocean at sunset. i knew i wanted to paint a girl with a ruffled dress. but that was about it.

TITLE: Set Free. Prints available in my shop. Please contact me about the original (10x10")

since her skirt would be a major part of the piece, i wanted to use something different. i hadn't used much of my vintage wallpaper in a while, so i paged through my books and found wallpaper that featured a front entrance with a little sitting area. and on the wall of that sitting area, just happened to be a painting of a sailboat.

as i finished the ruffles of her dress, i found the torn out sailboat painting on my studio table. i knew that's what she had to be holding! and so she became my sailboat girl.

i thought she might be gifting someone with that sailboat. and then i saw that she was really walking out to where the waves hit the beach and setting the little boat free. she'd put all of her past stories, disappointments, struggles, and sadness inside, knowing that in letting go, she is forever and finally SET FREE.

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i hope you enjoy a lovely weekend!

xo, juliette

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2012-02-02T01:00:00.014-06:00

Long walks over bridges with Lilly pads,

photo by stacy patterson

tandem bike rides,

the perfect sized strawberry pies,

adorable cards with color and character (by millimeter milligram),

primary hues in rows,

texture in the sand,

powdered sugar beignets,

breakfast in lovely backyards,

and frogs at the pool.

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i'm so excited to say, you can now find my artwork at kitty deluxe in st clair shores, michigan!

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the lovliest cat

2012-01-31T01:00:00.003-06:00

TITLE: Gidamba. mixed media painting

a very good friend asked me to paint this piece in honor of her lovely cat, gidamba.

i was a little concerned, painting a cat, but i absolutely loved capturing him all happy and content beside his favorite tree. it was funny too, because when i first started this painting i imagined gidamba to be human with a cat's head. i thought of him lounging in a hawiian shirt and playing a yukalelee as he lounged beside the tree.

but once i got to painting, there was no way. gidamba was to be a cat, absolutely!

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in love with labels!

2012-01-30T01:00:00.009-06:00

lately i've been noticing the most fantastic labels on things! it's such a fun way to make something a little extra unique.

i fell in love with this library card label after i went ga-ga over the attached shirt...t-shirts screen-printed with lovely images from "out of print" book covers! the label even details where each shirt is manufactured and says a bit about the company. all things that made me make my purchase.

here are a few more favorites. i just love all of the fantastic fonts and colors!

i just can't get enough of these lovely labels!

what's been inspiring you lately?

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Registration is Now Open for my online mixed media painting class, HOW TO PAINT AN OWL! Class starts March 30. Find all of the details and register here.

a new Mixed Media Painting - LULLABY

2012-01-27T01:00:00.008-06:00

TITLE: LULLABY Find the original painting and prints in my etsy shop

i'm really in love with this little blue owl. he makes me smile each time i look at him!

there's a pretty sweet story for how he got his name too...i'd been staring at the panting and knew its name had to do with songs at night and that it looked like a baby owl. yet, i just couldn't find the right words.

then i took a break and checked a twitter message from an artist with the word LULLABY in their handle and i knew i'd found the perfect fit! i could hardly believe the synchronicity!

TITLE: LULLABY Find the original painting and prints in my etsy shop

This little blue owl is shy and sweet, singing you to sleep with its beautiful LULLABY.

I used all sorts of materials from my studio to create this painting- acrylics, glitter, ink, pencil, pastel, vintage sheet music and origami paper. On top, I applied a homemade antique decoupage, then a layer of wax on top to protect the piece from the elements.

Find the original painting and prints in my etsy shop.

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Have a Wonderful Weekend!

7 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2012-01-26T01:00:00.002-06:00

Pink beach houses,

painted birds,

sweet coffee drinks,

gigantic pancakes,

little post offices (featured in the film the truman show),

blackberry grits,

and stars on the street!

a NEW Adventure - combining art + story for a book!

2012-01-23T01:00:00.076-06:00

a few years ago, i wrote a novel. i spent two years revising and rewriting, having it critiqued and getting advice from other authors. then, i completely burned out on it.

that's one of the reasons i started painting again in the summer of 2009. but recently, i've had this voice in my head that is craving to get back to writing.

i know i just need to give myself a bit of time and space to let all of my ideas, inspirations and energy flow into this new project. and i am so excited (and a bit nervous) to see just where it leads me!

so i've decided to take some time at the beach to reread my novel and see just what happens! i know i have a few books inside. i will definitely be putting together an illustrated book, incorporating my paintings with their stories. and i'd love to put together a how-to book to share more of my painting process and inspirations.

but right now, it's a my novel that is calling me back...so i know, it's my next place to begin.

the beach seems like the perfect backdrop. i seriously can't stop taking photos of every sunrise and sunset. and i know all of this gorgeous-ness will seep into my paintings too!

one of the biggest things i'm learning right now is that things in my life are not linear. sometimes, there isn't a straight line to get to where i'm thinking i'd like to go. and that's really the fun part. it's all about following those little words of inspiration. those things that keep coming up again and again.

all it takes is that first step. who knows where it will lead to next!

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thank you so much for all of your get well soons! i'm feeling a million times better! and am so excited to start painting with everyone today too in my how to paint a girl e-course! in case you missed it, here's a little video snip-it!

hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend!

in love with doorways!

2012-01-20T01:00:00.012-06:00

i just can't stop myself from taking photos of doorways!

i'm noticing beautiful doors everywhere! i just love the way each doorway is unique - whether it's the door itself or what's surrounding it - it's such a wonderful prelude to what lies on the other side.

here are some of my recent favorites. i just love the light and airy color combinations! each one seems to have its own story!

maybe it's the new year or that so many exciting things are opening up for everyone in my newest e-course, HOW TO PAINT A GIRL (so excited class starts today!), but i keep hearing so many people say how they're really letting doors open for them.

so that's my wish for you...may every door you need to walk through, open for you too!

what doors have been opening for you?

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2012-01-19T01:00:00.004-06:00

Raindrops,

ruffles,

cilantro peanut sauce,

reflections,

super healthy green juices (kale, spinach, cucumber, ginger, apple, lemon),

silk-screened band posters,

painted watering cans,

antique shops,

and adorable shop signs.

making more time for art, food + adventures!

2012-01-16T01:00:00.031-06:00

whenever i'm stuck with something, i journal. sometimes i feel like i'm just writing the same thing over and over again. but always, writing clears my head.

this past week, i've been journaling a lot about positive changes i can make in my daily life for 2012. and the biggest thing for me is changing the idea that i need to work hard. as i've been nursing my cold, i've realized just how hard i've been pushing myself. and after reading this inspiring post by maeg on scoutie girl about recognizing patterns, i'm realizing i often make things so much harder than they need to be.

whenever something feels too easy, it's as if i'm not putting in enough effort. but, as i've been putting together the finishing touches for my how to paint a girl e-course, i'm realizing that when things feel easy, it's most often because i'm doing exactly what i should be doing and loving it. so why make it any harder?

so i'm going to keep making things easy...and make time for reading fashion magazines i love and wearing fancy sequined skirts...even to the grocery store!

i'll be sitting back more often with beautiful books and imaginary tales like this edition of the wonderful wizard of oz (with gorgeous illustrations by michael mccurdy).

and i am going to keep up with super healthy things like green smoothies and recipes i love. and this tonic of thyme, garlic, ginger and lemon (which completely kicked my cough)...

and do even more of what i love!

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2012 Calendar SALE! 20% Off!

My 2012 calendar, featuring a year full of owls is now on SALE! I have just a few left! Find the details here and Buy Now!

a NEW Painting Video for How to Paint A Girl is here!

2012-01-13T01:00:00.020-06:00

in sight. prints and the original available in my etsy shop.

i love painting so much! watching this video of my piece, in sight, brings such joy because i can see just how many layers went into this painting. i remember so many times along the way where i thought, "i am never going to figure this out." but in recording my painting process from start to finish, i've learned that i always do.

and, as long as i keep having fun with a painting and walk away whenever i'm not, i always discover something new. that's the most fun part of it all for me...the process. i delight in seeing a painting reveal itself right before my eyes!

still, i have to say, i do get frustrated at times. that's why i developed simple templates for myself...guidelines and shapes that i follow, especially when i get frustrated with a piece, to bring me back to that point of having fun again.

how to paint a girl video snip-it.

i just can't even express how lucky i feel to be able to share my paintings and technique with you. i hope you enjoy this little video! the whole of it is part of my HOW TO PAINT A GIRL e-course along with so many other fun videos, recipes, stories and lessons too! class begins a week from today! i can't wait to paint with you!

register now and find all of the details for HOW TO PAINT A GIRL right here. happy creating!!!

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**did you catch the music in the video? it's an INCREDIBLE original created just for class called HOW TO PAINT A GIRL by the Wiggly Tendrils! **

**i'll be sending out my monthly newsletter soon-ish...if you'd like to see it in your inbox, sign up right here.

have a wonderful weekend!!!

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2012-01-12T01:00:00.010-06:00

Entering into magic gardens,

admiring multi-colors,

scribbling on chalk boards,

running into mindy lacefield's artwork on larkin poe's album at the record shop,

sitting in bright orange chairs,

enjoying banana pancakes with a little muffin on the side,

soaking in the sunlight,

gazing at rooftops on clear days,

and finding beauty in simplicity.

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thank you so much for all of your new year's wishes! i've been busy putting the finishing touches on things for my how to paint a girl e-course and have a sweet little snip-it from one of my painting videos coming up for you tomorrow!

cheers to finding beauty in your every day!

happy 2012!

2012-01-09T01:00:00.014-06:00

well, i had no intention of staying away from my blog for all of last week. but just before the new year i caught a bit of a cold and it along with bringing in 2012, has really been just what i needed to sit back and reflect on the whole of last year.

2011 was HUGE. i don't think i've ever learned so much about myself and just what i want in my life. when i started this blog and got my creative business going in January 2010, i had no idea just what would be possible, and i am so happy to have followed my heart and passion.

in 2011, i know i worked a lot. it's been hard not to because i adore what i do and am delighted to see it all bloom! especially when i am lucky enough to hear from all of you that you're finding it all inspiring too!

but now that i'm still nursing this cold with so much fresh carrot juice, green smoothies, my favorite red thai curry and homemade teas of ginger, garlic and thyme (sounds bad, but it has seriously helped)...i know that i need to practice more balance.

looking back at 2010 is amazing! and i am so proud of 2011...

featured in the january issue of somerset studio

started selling my artwork at hatch art house in madison

co-taught the flourish e-course with illustrator, stephainie fizer coleman

featured in artful blogging magazine!

my first big gallery opening in madison at absolutely art

vacationed in newport beach, ca and meeting artists paulette of summerland cottage studio and julie nutting

taught in-person how to paint an owl workshops!

headed to an artful journey, took a class from jess reno, and roadtripped the california coast with beth and louise

launched my how to paint an owl e-course

got to see all of the GORGEOUS and AMAZING owls created during my how to paint an owl e-course!

went to yorkshire england for the do what you love retreat and assisting class with flora bowley

invited to teach my how to paint an owl workshop at artfest 2012 (coming right up!)

hosted an incredible art and music event with brian at the evp coffeehouse

featured in somerset studio gallery magazine!

had my first downtown art show at the ARTspace gallery in madison

visited st paul minnesota for the creative connection event and pitched to licensing and textile industry experts

had an art show and opening at bloom bake shop

met oprah and ekhart tolle in chicago at a live taping of life class

invited to contribute artwork to the my owl barn calendar

launched my first-ever collection of wearable art lockets

created my first-ever calendar (for 2012)

had my she stands out painting stolen from the ARTspace gallery in madison (i do still wonder where it is)

released a new line of greeting cards

invited to teach with tam and lots of amazing artists for LIFE BOOK 2012!

released products on society6

began selling my prints, lockets and cards at lovely stockists in the UK!

wrote my second art saves feature for crescendoh.com

took the blogging your way e-course with holly becker of decor8 + updated my blog!

scheduled tuesdays and thursdays as my official painting days each week!

spent a creative weekend in chicago with fabulous bloggers from the blogging your way e-course

scheduled bi-monthly field trips for myself + took a trip to the international crane foundation

artist of the month at hatch art house and had an amazing opening!

featured on Glamour UK

launched my how to paint a girl e-course (beginning january 20, 2012!)

and of course all of the painting!!!

kind of AMAZING!

yet even with everything that has been so incredible in 2011, the thing that i have most learned is to take time for myself, brian, family and friends and to really enjoy it all. that was my intention for 2011... to enjoy more in my every day.

but while this last year has been all about moving forward and getting so excited about accomplishing everything i am passionate about, at the end of the year i realized that with hard work and so much wishful thinking, everything will always fall into place.

right now, i feel completely abundant. there's nothing more i need, but to sit back more often and enjoy it all in 2012.

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-12-29T01:00:00.005-06:00

Giant chandeliers,

seeing the christmas carol at the pabst theater in milwaukee for the holidays,

making homemade caramel corn with honey,

a birthday full of surprises (and lots of chocolate),

roses in the sunlight,

take away sushi,

signs about owls,

hands holding hearts,

and walking on just-fallen snow!

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i hope you're enjoying the holidays!

i'll be taking a few days to celebrate the new year and am closing my etsy shop beginning tomorrow (friday, december 30) and reopening on thursday january 5th.

next week, i'll be sharing my new year celebration! this has been one incredible year and so fun to look back on it all!

happy holidays!

i heart gingerbread houses!

2011-12-27T14:22:00.001-06:00

i just can't get over these adorable gingerbread houses! it's always inspiring to look at creativity in a completely different medium. it just sparks an entirely new side of inspiration to see patterns of bubblegum and candy canes!

i remember having to make a gingerbread house for my 7th grade class. we didn't have sugar cereal or many sweets in our house, so having an entire tub of frosting to work with was pretty much the best thing ever!

i hope you had a merry christmas! i'll have a bit more inspiration for you later this week!

happy holidays!

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registration is open for my upcoming how to paint a girl e-course! if you'd like to paint with me in january, be sure to register early as there are only a limited number of spots available.

find all of the details and register here! see you in class!

happy holidays!

2011-12-23T01:00:00.041-06:00

a few of my favorite christmas trees through the years... this is the first tree that was my very own. i remember i went out and got it on a whim just before the holiday. the only decorations i had were these little glass red and green balls, so i cut out lots of construction paper stars to fill in the tree!

my first tree with brian...we lived in a converted warehouse building at the time with these wonderful exposed brick walls, so we went with the tallest tree we could find and decorated it with lots of blue lights and silver tinsel! i believe that gorgeous skirt is one my mom crocheted and the one we still enjoy!

the first tree in our home... i bought a little blue spruce so that i could plant it in the garden the next spring. it didn't live past the summer, but i planted a new tree in its place.

the first at my sister-in-laws home (i just adore that tree!)...

and celebrating with my brother at my grandmother's house as kids...

and i just love these photos of my parents with santa as kids. we put together a photo slideshow for our family a few years ago and realized my parents had seen the very same santa in the same year in these two photos!

it's amazing how paths can cross like that!

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happy holidays!!!

may your holidays be filled with lots of love and joy! i'll be taking a few days off to celebrate with friends and family, but i've scheduled lots of posts here for you to enjoy!

new book recommendations for the holidays!

2011-12-21T01:00:00.003-06:00

akata witch by Nnedi Okorafor

i'm currently reading this book, akata witch by author Nnedi Okorafor. it's completely full of such imagination! and since i've had it on my mind to get back into writing and combining my art with words, i'm diving into lots of literature for inspiration too!

shades of milk and honey, by mary robinette kowal

i just finished this wonderful read, shades of milk and honey, by mary robinette kowal. it's very Jane Austin, but filled with lots of art and magic! definitely a perfect read for a bit of time off over the holidays!

red shoes, vintage shops + things!

2011-12-19T01:00:00.050-06:00

with the holidays and new year coming up so soon, i've been looking through lots of old photos. sometimes it's amazing to see just what has happened in a few short years. more on that in my end of the year post...coming soon...

it seems i've always adored red shoes. nearly every pair i now own is red. after lots of searching, i finally found these perfect red leather high tops (from el naturalista)!

and in nearly all of my old photos, i'm wearing red! i'd love a new pair of these bright red knee-socks, red pajamas with feet, and this red velvet dress that was always my very favorite no matter what the occasion!

it seems i've always adored characters that are nearly as big as me too!

painted plates available via hatch art house

i've been doing a bit of vintage shopping lately too. i was lucky enough to find these new white plates and can't wait to paint them.! i've been having so much fun with porcelaine 150 ceramic paints from pebeo. just paint and bake in your home oven! so fun!

we found these 25 cent albums...i'd been searching for a few classical records to round out our vinyl collection and was so amazed to find my favorite vivaldi album along with this gorgeous lion painting on a bach cover!

and i came across one of brian's favorites...bobby bare. i'm kind of loving that cowboy hat!

i'm still attempting to paint a crane. these crane earrings have been completely inspiring me. i'd met a lovely girl at my bloom bake shop opening and she was interested in one of my prints...i was loving her earrings, so we traded right on the spot. and i've been wearing these every since!

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i hope you had a lovely weekend!

i spent lots of time reading and gift wrapping too...and i even went bowling! i forgot just how much i loved it!

what did you do this weekend?

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-12-15T01:00:00.003-06:00

Tofu scramble with spaghetti squash and mashbrown at bite (chicago),

public art,

vintage street signs,

sunlight on skyscrapers,

owls perched on top of libraries,

peaks against blue sky,

heads out of nowhere,

fresh eucalyptus on my kitchen table,

and little hearts!

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birthday owl by julie brastad

thank you so much for all of your birthday wishes too! i had such a wonderful birthday and enjoyed tons of chocolate! and check out this sweet birthday owl that julie created for me! i just love her owl's style!

NEW cards, art & the annual birthday celebration SALE!

2011-12-13T01:00:00.023-06:00

it's my birthday tomorrow, and i love celebrating early!

so as part of my pre-birthday celebration, i'm having a SHOP SALE! stop by my etsy shop today and tomorrow! and get 20% off your entire purchase! enter coupon code "CELEBRATE" at checkout. Good until 11:59PM EST, Wednesday December 14, 2011.

i just can't thank you all enough for your support and incredible kindness! this has been a PHENOMENAL year! and i am so excited to be able to celebrate it all with you!

i'm so happy to have these lovely new cards in stock too! there are 8 Designs to Choose From! each has their painting's title and story written on the back.

stop by the shop to find all of the details!

IN SIGHT. prints and the original painting available in my etsy shop!

i also just finished this new girl painting! i just adore her brilliant orange hair! i glued on a lot of different papers for this piece and i especially love seeing them because they were a gift from the super talented danielle daniel of her painted word...she was sweet enough to gift them to everyone in our painting class last february at an artful journey!

i wasn't sure what i would use them for, but ran across them in my supply box when i was searching for the perfect something new for this girl!

IN SIGHT. prints and the original painting available in my etsy shop!

one of the newsprint pages that ended up in her hair reads, "in sight."

and so, her story goes... this girl is filled with wisdom and the insight of all ages, knowing that history repeats itself and that in taking everything in with an open heart, anything new can be IN SIGHT.

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see you in the shop!

art opening at hatch art house

2011-12-12T01:00:00.036-06:00

me and tammy, owner of hatch art house

thank you so much to everyone who made it out on friday night for my art opening! it was so sweet to meet many new people and to see lots of good friends there too!

elephant with gold toes

at the opening, i just couldn't resist these adorable mini cupcakes that hatch art house owner, tammy baked...chocolate with orange frosting!

red zig-zag skirt by zip-dang

and it so completed the evening to be able to wear this incredible red zig-zag skirt that my friend natalie, owner of zip-dang, made me! it perfectly went with my red tights and favorite red heels!

the entire evening was really pretty perfect! i wish you all could have been there!

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*i'll be the featured artist at hatch art house the entire month of december! do stop in if you're in town!

**check out my winter solstice reflection, featured on the creative living experiment blog...can't wait for this year's winter solstice gathering!

***i'll be sending out my monthly newsletter soon...if you'd like to see it in your inbox, sign up right here!

a NEW e-course! HOW TO PAINT A GIRL is HERE!

2011-12-09T12:16:00.001-06:00

HOW TO PAINT A GIRL! A 6 Week Painting Class. January 20 - March 2

i just can't wait to share this with you!!!

i'm so excited to introduce you to my new e-course...HOW TO PAINT A GIRL!

this class is 6 Weeks of painting girls together! i've broken down my girl characters into simple face, hair and body templates so you can easily make them your own! i'll show you the steps i take to create a girl painting, layer by layer in videos, photos and stories!

we'll create 3 Different Girls: the Uniform, the Paper Doll and the Organic!

and i'll be sharing lots of inspiration and ways to bring joy into your life every day...like favorite recipes, fun activities, stories from other artists and so much more!

painting girls is what started the whimsical mixed media paintings i create now and i can't wait to share all of them with you! there are a limited number of spaces available in this course, so if you'd like to paint with me in January, be sure to register early!

See more details and Register Now!

I can't wait to see the AMAZING Girls you Paint!

A NEW Mixed Media Owl Painting! - Love Me Still!

2011-12-09T01:00:00.010-06:00

LOVE ME STILL. Original (SOLD). Prints are available in my etsy shop.

I haven't been painting too many owls lately. But I'd been stuck on a girl painting and thought I'd start a new little painting and this white owl just appeared.

He actually changed quite a bit. It seemed I was either unhappy with his color or form. And then I just didn't like that spot up above his shoulder. I tried paper after paper, trying to figure out just what needed to be there. I was thinking fireflies, but to no avail...they just wouldn't work out.

The thing that clicked? When I searched for new supplies and found an old postcard in my paper bin. What I loved about it was the text...lines to a poem, entitled LOVE ME STILL.

LOVE ME STILL. Original (SOLD). Prints are available in my etsy shop.

To me, this owl is all about peeling back the layers to find the true, sometimes imperfect beauty that exists underneath.

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I have a BIG surprise to share with you on Monday! Something I've been putting so much heart and energy into and I can't wait for you to know all about it!

Have a lovely weekend!

10 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-12-08T01:00:00.031-06:00

Rainbow walls,

photo booths,

street art,

ice skating,

maple syrup.

plastic chairs,

silver cups,

embroidery,

Sofia Sizzi's recent collection,

and mosaics!

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* if you're in madison wisconsin tomorrow night, i'm having a art opening at hatch art house! i hope to see you there!

Hatch Art House

Opening December 9, 6-9PM

December 1-31, 2011

1248 Williamson Street

Madison, Wisconsin

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**thank you to the lovely sadee for featuring this article about me and my artwork on her gorgeous blog...art + inspirations: a picturebook life!

Chicago Doorways, 77 Square + Glamour UK!

2011-12-06T01:00:00.011-06:00

we're lucky to be just a short roadtrip away from chicago. i know, i was just there a few weeks ago for the Blogging Your Way meetup. but each year brian and i adore visiting for the christkindlmarket, so we headed down to chicago last weekend to enjoy it all!

we just love walking around our old neighborhood. and i so admired all of the doorways! we stood in front of the one above for ages...the photo doesn't even capture the beauty of this place. but there was an incredible garden aroud the side and an enormous greenhouse out back! and those lanterns...they have real flames burning inside! it was all quite stunning!

and then to find so many doorways all done up for the holidays...i really could have photographed each and every one!

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* while we were away, i was fortunate to be featured in a few lovely places...

Online Fashion Editor, Philippa Morgan Walker featured my She Stands Out owl necklace on Glamour UK!

Thine and Thou, Together. Prints available in my etsy shop.

and my thine and thou, together painting was featured in the holiday gift guide of 77 Square!

really all so unbelievable and exciting! thank you so much for all of your kindness and support! i cannot even express how much it all means to me! THANK YOU!

** i've also just added a new SHE STANDS OUT locket to my shop...this one is absolutely exquisite and so elegant! it's bigger than my round lockets and really meant to stand out. i only have this one...

making time for field trips and inspiration!

2011-12-02T01:00:00.032-06:00

i'm trying this new thing where i go on a few field trips each month. i do things that i always would like to do, but feel like i never have the time for. i've even been packing a lunch!

my last field trip was to the international crane foundation in baraboo, wisconsin. i wasn't even planning to go there. i'd headed for a hike in devil's lake, but somehow missed my turnoff and since the crane foundation was just up the road, that's where i decided to go.

that's part of the beauty of making time for these little field trips...i just never know where i'll find inspiration, but i know i need to take the time out for anything to fall into place at all!

the entire trip was an inspiration! since my last name is crane, my parents have always been members of the international crane foundation. my favorite t-shirt was even from there, but i had't visited in ages!

i'd been thinking about why i paint owls and birds, and that i should paint a crane. these birds are just gorgeous! and there are so many different kinds... but, to me, they all have an incredible grace.

it was rather wonderful too, to hike the grounds of the foundation. everything looked like a painting to me.

and it all was incredibly peaceful. quite quiet, except for the cranes calling out to one another.

a few nights after my field trip, i had the most incredible dream...which i am sure will become a painting soon. these crane with brilliant red feathers on their heads, soared from the sky in groups of three. they'd land and then hop up and fly to the other side of me...leaving golden glitter everywhere!

quite a lot of inspiration from one day. and i can't wait for my next field trip!

*do you remember a favorite field trip? i'm still searching for my next place to visit!*

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happy december! it's actually my grandmother's 80th birthday today along with my brother and cousin's birthdays too! definitely a time for a celebration!

have a lovely weekend!

7 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-12-01T01:00:00.005-06:00

Pink with purple,

simple centerpieces,

textured place-settings,

my own warm-hued decoupage,

lots of layers,

the first snow,

and mince pie!

watching oprah and buying art supplies in chicago!

2011-11-28T01:00:00.095-06:00

i love visiting cities without any sort of agenda or timeline! that's always when i happen upon the most exciting adventures!

when i got into chicago the night before my blogging your way meet-up, i had no idea how i'd be spending my evening. i decided to wander down state street and visited some of my favorite shops...like anthropologie and dick blick.

then, just when i had no idea where i'd end up next, i remembered a chicago chocolate shop that had been featured during oprah's life class ...a cute little place where they watched life class each week!

kilwins chicago

well, with that one thought, i was on my way!

i walked all the way from downtown to old town. and i can hardly say how exciting the journey was! i stopped at every little place that caught my eye until i got to kilwins!

and what better welcome then to be offered ice cream (the most delicious scoop of cookies and cream) and a cup of coffee! then, at the back of the shop, everyone was watching the show, and i was lucky enough to meet two fabulous ladies....jackie, owner of kilwins chicago...

snazzy sugar

and sandra, owner of snazzy sugar, a sweet little bakery in chicago!

it's always lovely to meet other business owners. and it was so nice to watch oprah's life class and webcast together and chat about it all!

palmer house, chicago

at the end of the evening, i came back to my hotel and enjoyed wine in this gorgeous lobby! i could just look up at this ceiling forever!

it's always inspiring to happen upon new places and experiences and to just soak it all in! i so can't wait to visit chicago again!

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may your week be filled with inspiration!

a creative weekend in chicago!

2011-11-25T01:00:00.000-06:00

a few weekends ago, i had the opportunity to meet up with some other bloggers from the blogging your way e-course.

i had no idea what to expect, but as soon as i heard that the plan was to grab coffee in bucktown, visit a cute fabric store, and then head over to a flower shop...i knew i had to be there!

the needle shop. bucktown, chicago

as soon as i met liz (an amazing photographer!) and michelle (check out her gorgeous jewellry!), we started talking about art and creativity. and i have to say, it just means so much to meet new friends that are passionate about the same things as you.

we were all completely smitten with the day we had planned and couldn't stop chatting! we started at the needle shop...

the needle shop. bucktown, chicago

just look at all of that color and pattern!

the needle shop. bucktown, chicago

this little shop is just the cutest! there's so much to look at! and it's so sweet to see everything up-close and really take it all in! the needle shop has lots of incredible books and patterns too...and they teach sewing classes!

larkspur. bucktown, chicago

next we walked to larkspur...a darling flower shop i used to stop in all of the time when i lived in the neighborhood...often just to look around and breath in all of the freshness and beauty!

larkspur. bucktown, chicago

one of my favorite past jobs was working at a flower shop, and this place just brought back memories of how i loved to try out new arrangements and play with color!

larkspur. bucktown, chicago

we all snapped tons of photos and kept looking up to see when the others wanted to leave...but each of us just wanted to keep taking photos and enjoying the flowers and displays!

larkspur. bucktown, chicago

i was especially taken by this assortment of aprons...i just adore the patterns all wrapped up together.

larkspur. bucktown, chicago

when we walked back out to the sidewalk and admired larkspur's doorway and tiled stoop, i noticed a shop next door...soutache. this shop is all buttons, feathers and ribbon! and the most wonderful thing was that we all couldn't wait to step inside!

after i found these wooden buttons for an old sweater, we stepped across the street to another adorable shop...the painted lady. so many incredible ideas!

and by the end of our afternoon we all craved lunch and couldn't wait to get to the birchwood kitchen (a fabulous little place for sandwiches, soups and salads).

i couldn't have asked for a more perfect afternoon in chicago!

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* on monday, i'll post the rest of my chicago adventure! have a wonderful weekend!

10 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-11-24T01:00:00.012-06:00

Lots of color from Dick Blick,

adorable shop windows (i am so loving that tulle skirt!),

little sprouts growing indoors,

cheese plates served with orchids,

cold pressed coffee,

vintage door knobs,

sewing new buttons on old sweaters,

tres leches cake,

unexpected air mail (this lovely package came from beth of do what you love in the UK)

and record shopping!

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*have a wonderful thanksgiving!

i hope you will be celebrating old traditions and inspired by something new too!

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**tomorrow i'll be sharing all of my photos from my trip to chicago!

A Stolen Painting Sparks Inspiration

2011-11-21T01:00:00.001-06:00

i always try to look at the positive side of things, but when my painting SHE STANDS OUT was stolen from the ARTspace gallery a few weeks ago, it took a bit for me to come around and see the good in it all.

i remembered the super sweet girl who just couldn't take her eyes off of that painting at my art show back in January. she stared at that owl with her eyes inches from the canvas. and i wonder where that painting is now and hope that whoever has it appreciates it just as much as that girl once did.

for me, showing my art in public spaces is a way to connect with people in their every day. so it was a very hard decision to take down the show from ARTspace last week.

but i knew, in closing one door, a new door would open.

i've learned the importance of taking the time to ask questions and know the details involved in protecting my art whenever i show my work. and most importantly, i've learned to really value myself and my art.

and remember how i mentioned that in closing doors, new ones can open? well, once i decided to take down that show, all of these new ideas started bubbling for new projects that i am thrilled to put my full heart into!

she stands out even sparked a conversation between my UK agent fiona pattison and Go Inpsire Go founder toan lam. that conversation then led to a skype chat between me and toan last week. and let me just say, that toan is doing some amazing things that i'm so excited to be involved with! Go Inspire Go (GIG) is all about discovering and using your power to help others...definitely check out GIG if you're looking for some inspiration.

it's really been all about celebrating the little things. and as i realized in my chat with toan, each experience in my life has been a dot that connects to the next. without one, the next might not be able to fall into place. and i'm really excited to see just where this dot leads me to next.

november shop update!

2011-11-18T01:00:00.011-06:00

~~*Shop Update Today at 10:30AM EST*~~

*All of the new paintings and things are now in the shop!*

i'm so excited to share all of these new paintings with you! i'll be adding them all to my shop today at 10:30 AM EST. it seems like so long since i've posted new artwork. all of these new pieces will be available! along with new prints and lockets too (they're already over in the shop now)!

see you in the shop!

Abundance (SOLD). Thank you! Prints available in my etsy shop.

Here With You (SOLD). Prints Available in my etsy shop.

i know i said i was going to share my chicago trip with you this week, but there are just so many gorgeous photos, i didn't want to rush going through them all. i promise to share them with you next week!

i hope you have a lovely weekend!

enjoy!

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* thank you to the library as incubator project blog for this wonderful feature...the library was my first showing of these whimsical paintings just about exactly two years ago! kind of amazing how much has grown and evolved from that one show!

8 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-11-17T01:00:00.019-06:00

the little free library (these adorable libraries are popping up all over madison),

purple and orange,

a fabulous cup of coffee enjoyed at a french bakery,

visiting cats on walks,

lovely pumpkins,

weathered metal,

the last of the flowers,

and pancakes with steel cuts oats, toasted walnuts and cranberries

(my new favorite)!

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*NOVEMBER SHOP UPDATE tomorrow at 10:30am EST*

i'm excited to say that all of my new paintings will be added to the shop tomorrow! along with new prints too! if you'd like a little reminder in your inbox, along with a coupon, sign up for my newsletter.

books & things

2011-11-14T01:00:00.003-06:00

alabama sticth book + alabama studio style by natalie chanin

i've been having so much fun browsing these alabama stitch books by natalie chanin of alabama chanin. i've even started to make my own corset out of vintage t-shirts. each book comes with loads of patterns that you can cut out and use to create your own lovely clothing! i'm so close to being done. but really, just paging through these books is beauty enough!

books by tove jansson and print workshop by christine schmidt

i've also been loving paging through these gorgeous books...tove jansson writes the most magical stories and has such fun illustrations! and some of the books, like this one, have little cut-outs between the pages...i read through them again and again and each time find something new!

and, if you're looking for some art inspiration, i'm delighted by this book print workshop! lots of fun illustrations and printing techniques that i'm experimenting with in my paintings!

and i just can't stop reading some of my favorite agatha christie mysteries (and some fashion magazines too!).

i finally got through my latest journal...and one of my favorite things is finding and starting a new one! it always feels like i'm moving forward, onto a new phase. this one has a wonderful quote from ralph waldo emerson, "adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."

to adopt a bit of slow into my day and to celebrate this new phase, i picked up some fabulous silver nail polish. i usually go with a classic red, but this metallic (smoke and mirrors by sonia kashuk) goes on so glittery and really makes my nails look like mirrors!

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i hope you had a lovely weekend!

i spent a few days in chicago meeting with a few wonderful bloggers that i connected with in the blogging your way e-course. i can't wait to share all of the photos and stories with you later this week!

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ps. you might have noticed i have a new header on my little blog. i had a lot of fun starting my redesign, focusing on colors i love and simplifying things...what do you think?

slowing down and enjoying the little things

2011-11-11T01:00:00.002-06:00

with the first snow here in madison, wisconsin, it's time for lots of tea! these are some of my favorites...i'm loving tazo teas like rest, cucumber white and vanilla apricot white. i'm even smitten by their packaging. and while i usually adore yogi teas, with their thoughtful sayings on the tea bags, i'm trying these for the first of the season.

and of course with the snow, comes fun winter sweaters! brian and i took a little day trip and found ourselves at a vintage shop where he picked up this sweet unicorn tie and i found this adorable alphabet sweater!

but our biggest find of the day was this console radio and record player!

i hardly ever listen to the radio, except on our little battery powered boombox whenever the power goes out. but this console radio fits right in our kitchen and it's so much fun to just flip it on, wait for the tubes to warm up and listen to live radio... mostly classical and npr. i just adore garrison keilor's a prairie home companion. it all feels simple and really makes the days slow down. and it's been lovely to go record shopping again! so fun to just sit around and look through all of the albums!

well, i hope you have a lovely weekend...whether you're listening to records or whatever you find yourself doing!

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ps. on monday, i have a few book recommendations i can't wait to share with you...lots of fun things to spark your creativity! but if you're looking for a new read this weekend, my friend david anthony durham just released his latest book in the Acacia trilogy...The Sacred Band, happy reading!

10 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-11-10T01:00:00.012-06:00

Door County cherry pancakes with almond butter,

red dahlias,

blue dinosaurs,

laughing,

pink doorways,

the last lilly in the garden,

shadow and texture,

taking ferry rides across lake wisconsin,

the greenest greens,

and adorable smiles!

A New Little Bear Painting - Here With You

2011-11-09T01:00:00.027-06:00

TITLE: Here With You. Prints available in my etsy shop.

This little bear has been feeling quite alone. After all, everyone always turns to him, their adorable teddy bear, for comfort and support. But now is when he needs it most. He can't sleep.

Flowers form inside his belly and match the sky, telling him to get outside. So he goes out into the flower fields at midnight. The light of the moon is just gorgeous and mirrors his mood. And what does he find when he's most alone at midnight? The tallest poppy standing tall, all alone in her field, and greeting him... You are not alone. I am HERE WITH YOU.

This little bear started off with lots of layers of stencils and spray paint. I loved the blue and added a bit of translucent turquoise for the sky. To compliment the blue, I chose an origami paper with flowers in various blue hues, then added the red poppies to real add contrast.

On top, I applied my own creation of antique decoupage...I added a bit of translucent yellow ocher to Mod Podge brand decoupage for a warm glowing top coat. Then, to decrease the shine and add even more depth, I sealed the painting with a final layer of wax.

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* And because I adore this teddy bear so, so much, I've added him to my growing collection of laptop and iphone skinz in my new society 6 shop! i hope you like them...check it out!

** I have quite a few new originals to share with you too. I'll be adding them all to my shop next week! sign up for my newsletter to get a little reminder and details.

blogging your way inspiration with holly of decor8!

2011-11-07T01:00:00.235-06:00

Well, these last few weeks I've been keeping very busy in holly becker’s blogging your way ecourse. The time absolutely flew by! And it all has given me so much inspiration and energy for my blog!

I signed up for the class out of pure intuition. I knew I wanted to learn from Holly - I adore her blog decor8, I missed meeting her at TCC, her book Decorate is simply beautiful - but these things didn't seem like reasons to take her class.

Luckily, my intuition pulled me through and I signed up!

I had no idea that after these 4 weeks of class I'd have a completely fresh and renewed perspective on not only blogging, but my blog and what it means. I’ve come away with a new sense of purpose and direction, which, in a way, was exactly what I was looking for, but something I couldn't put into words.

I've been going through my blog archives and remembering lots of fun travels, vacations and experiences this past year. I've been reconnecting with the things I love to share and talk about. And I've been looking back on the way this blog allowed me to reach out to an incredibly supportive online community and nurture my own creativity!

This is a huge time for renewing, So, I’ll be doing a little redesign on my blog. But more importantly, I'll be posting more content that I find inspiration from – books, other artists, photos, recipes, art, travels - and I hope you'll find inspiration in it all too!

Cheers to a wonderful week!

on my studio table - new backgrounds!

2011-11-04T01:00:00.061-05:00

it's time to experiment!

on my studio table, there are loads of new backgrounds just waiting for their characters!

i've been uncovering and discovering lots of new painting techniques for my upcoming How To Paint A Girl e-course. i dug out all sorts of art supplies that i hadn't used in a while- sequins, glitter, vintage wallpapers and more! and am having so much fun playing with everything in my studio!

i had quite a few unfinished paintings that i didn't like, so i decided to try a bit of covering up with some vintage wallpaper i'd had and some sheet music i'd picked up at the antique store.

i spilled paint on the table and the papers soaked it up so beautifully, that i decided to do a bit of intentional dyeing of origami paper and turquoise paint (up there at the top).

i tried out a few new paint colors too...like this green i'm not loving unless it's mixed with a bit more blue,

this yellow oxide that looks amazing mixed with white,

and this crimson that works perfectly as a translucent hue over lots of texture!

next, i tried out lots of brushes...even random things from around the house like a dish scrub, rolled up newspaper, and cardboard!

i tried them all with different paints and techniques over the paper.

but i always seemed to come back to my love of finger painting!

have you been creating anything lately?

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*i'm so honored to have my she stands out owl included in My Owl Barn's 2012 Downloadable Calendar! there are so many adorable owls featured...definitely check it out!

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**thank you so much to the lovely julie and sandra for their recent blog posts, featuring the owls and backgrounds they've been creating in How To Paint An Owl!

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have an amazing weekend!

8 Things About Autumn That Are Inspiring Me!

2011-11-03T01:00:00.013-05:00

Prairie walks,

crocus blooms,

looking up into the trees,

enjoying butternut squash pasta,

sunsets,

apple picking,

the last golden magnolias,

and jumping into piles of leaves!

happy november!

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How To Paint An Owl: e-course has just begun! click here for details!

hope on the horizon

2011-10-31T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hope On The Horizon.
the Original Painting and Prints available in my etsy shop.

HOPE ON THE HORIZON. 7 x7 inches on wood.

i love this girl hope. whenever i look at her, she makes me smile.

she is one who's always looking out towards that little light... right on the horizon. She is full of hope and meant to inspire all others to follow their hearts.

for this painting, i went out into my backyard and set up all of my art supplies. i'd been frustrated with another painting, and decided to start this one. and from there, she really just jumped out of the paint. for a while, i just called her sunny or sunshine because that's really what she radiates.

but then when i thought about it, i realized it's almost as if she's after a monarch butterfly on the most beautiful day. she is just happy and as hopeful as can be.

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Limited Edition Lockets

just for the holidays! i'll be taking preorders for these lovely lockets until Wednesday November 2...it will be the last order before the holidays! find all of the details and order information right here.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

2011-10-28T01:00:00.011-05:00

one of my favorite things to do this time of year is to carve pumpkins! and this year my parents joined us and brought the most amazing, gigantic pumpkins!

we cut off the tops and removed all of the seeds...

i've never seen so many pumpkin seeds! we had three baking sheets full!

and enjoyed them as we kept on carving!

brian sketched a sweet, happy face...

while i went for the classic, triangle eyes.

then i couldn't resist adding a bit of paint!

it was so much fun to decorate this guy...

and then to see them all lined up together!

now the pumpkins sit out on our front porch...ready to greet everyone for halloween!

i hope you all have a lovely halloween weekend!

*what are your weekend plans?*

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**on monday, i have a new painting to share with you!**

i've been loving to create new girl paintings for my upcoming How To Paint A Girl e-course. AND the wiggly tendrils were kind enough to already write a new song for it all!

Listen to it in all of its amazing-ness and beauty right here!

9 Things That Are Inspiring Me

2011-10-27T01:00:00.008-05:00

Gorgeous fall color,

the ceremony in making matcha,

shades of purple,

painting plates,

sipping tazo passion tea,

coming home to local rustic bread and cheese,

long hikes through fields of flowers,

rainbows in the sky,

and the art of charley harper!

what's inspiring you today?

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* thank you so much to the lovely rachel taylor for featuring my artwork on her blog in part 1 and part 2!

Abundance Painting + a NEW Locket Collection

2011-10-24T01:00:00.023-05:00

ABUNDANCE. Prints available in my etsy shop

whenever i finish a painting, i set it out on this shelf in my kitchen so i can step back and walk past it a few times before deciding if it needs anything more.

this winter owl had been sitting on my shelf for a few weeks. i'd painted him because i felt i needed to have paintings for the holidays (something new for a holiday card, and the december image of my calendar), so that's the energy that went into it. as a result, i didn't want to look at it anymore.

to me, i was trying to painting this cute little owl enjoying the winter, but all i'd see when i'd walk by is an owl on his way to a holiday party and wearing a mask. really, that was quite appropriate, since i was trying to paint something i didn't feel and really hiding those emotions behind the image.

if you're a regular reader of this blog, you know i don't ever plan my paintings. the discovery and evolution of letting the painting emerge is something i adore about the entire process, so pushing a painting to be something i don't feel seems completely out of alignment with myself.

the only thing i did love about the owl was his eyes and those stars in the sky. so, i covered everything else up with colors i adored - a poppy red and ocean blue. i was still really into my van gogh inspiration and wanted to try a high horizon line.

but soon i realized i couldn't just leave the owl's eyes and fill in the rest. if i ever leave a painting too long without finishing it, it just stops resonating with me and i have to paint over it all again. that's what happened here too...that while i love the eyes, they didn't fit with the rest of my feeling behind this new painting as i filled in and found this new girl's body and scene. so, i got rid of those original owl's eyes and painted something totally new.

i really started playing with color in the background and different textures and forms moving into and around my character. i loved challenging myself to keep the parts i liked and get rid of what i didn't, which forced me to make things fit together...

and to keep pushing and going with the teal and dots i liked. and then those polka dots inspired me to add to her hair and really make this girl grow. i cut circles from my favorite origami paper and added those too, then repeated the shapes and paper throughout the rest of the piece to make it all fit together.

when i'd finished, i just adored this girl! she was stuck in the muck of the deepest ocean. and soon she started to grow into her own and flow with everything else in the sea. In stillness, she's found that ABUNDANCE comes in surprising and miraculously wonderful ways every day (an affirmation i'm loving from author and life coach cheryl richardson).

That being stuck in the muck only helped this girl to appreciate where she'd been and to be delighted by the surprises that would reveal themselves as she moved forward.

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LOCKETS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

so many of you have been asking for another locket collection for the holidays! and i am so excited to be able to offer a NEW Limited Edition Locket Collection just in time!

i cannot even begin to say how excited i am about these! and i'm happy to be featuring a few new paintings in this collection too!

when i saw the way the last collection turned out i just absolutely fell in love! they look just gorgeous!

i will be taking preorders for these lockets until monday, october 31, 2011 11PM EST.

Find All of the Details Here and Get Your Locket Now!

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my How To Paint An Owl: e-course starts today! click here for details!

see you in class!