My Fall Sketchbook

Hello Winter! Whistler, B.C. is ready for you.

The snow is falling, the lights are up around town and the mountain is open and ready for action.

It has been a beautiful Fall. Lots of brilliant colour and crisp, clear days… interspersed with torrential downpours, low-lying cloud and very short days.

I love it all. The worse the weather the less motivated I am to get outdoors and play. I feel less guilt for cozying up indoors and creating.

November, you have been true to yourself. Thank you.

Inspired by all the fall colours – red, orange, faded greens and greys. A peek into my sketchbook proves that these are probably my most favourite colours.

I have been slowly updating my work around here. A new branding is in the works based on pen, paper, paint and pattern. I am updating my site to include all of my hand painted and collage work. I am loving the process of creating all new artwork in this style, but admit it is a bit of a slow process. So far I have managed to change my name from ‘Artistically Afflicted” to Julie Hamilton Creative.

Small steps.

I will be keeping the blog all full of my afflicted ways, but will have a separate portfolio site.

I am dying to get my hands on Fiona Humberstones new book How to Style your Brand  It has been sold out forever and finally just when I thought I could get my hands on it, they wouldn’t deliver to Canada. Crazy. Check out her site for lots of beautiful images and helpful advice on branding You.

I haven’t given myself an end goal date as I am trying to take this slowly and be in love with the finished product. I know what I want to create, but just want to make sure that I am representing myself the way that I would like to be perceived. Trust me, sometimes I am not even sure what that looks like.

It is a start!

In the mean time my licensing work is busy.I have a new embroidery contract with Janome (Acudesign) which I will be sharing shortly.  I have another piece being published in Stampington & Co. and  I am busy creating a new concept for a dream client. It is all about forward momentum and not losing sight of the Why.

Sharing with you a few things going on in and about the world-wide web:

Lilla Rogers, art agent extraordinaire, is giving a video presentation this week all about embracing and selling your creative quirkiness. Have a look here for more information. There is still time to join in.

Flora Bowley has started a monthly newsletter/video series, Studio Diaries. I haven’t joined in yet, but I am thinking about it for the New Year. Art prompts, videos, creative lessons, questions and answers and just general Flora loveliness. More information here.

I have been enjoying ( and using) Jennifer Nelsons weekly Advice for Artists.  Sign up here. She also offers a one on one consultation service if you are interested. See her website for more details. Make sure to check out her artists – all swoon worthy

Finally, don’t forget, it is the weekend of all sales. Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In the past I have received some outstanding discounts on online creative courses.If there is something you have your eye on then don’t forget to pop by your want list and see if they are offering a discount.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends. It is a big and busy weekend here and always brings with it a sense of celebration and the start of the holiday season. Makes me happy!

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Always inspired by Bloom True with Flora Bowley

I am at it again! Spaying, splashing and stamping paint and it feels oh, so good.

We are very fortunate to have the use of the Station house on Alta lake in Whistler to paint, sketch and just be creative. Beautiful views, the sound of the lake and wind through the trees, painting with like-minded souls. Pretty awesome!

It felt so liberating to just play with all my mark making tools ~ exploring different brush strokes and paint combinations. I didn’t produce anything, or I should say, I didn’t finish a painting, but I learned so much in the process.  All lessons  I can apply to my sketching, surface pattern and digital skills.

I love the intuitive approach to painting. No pressure to recreate a picture or get tight trying to represent something. The goal is to be messy. Create lots of layers. Surprise yourself with under layers peeking through.It adds so much depth to your painting.

I find the most interesting paintings are those that have a little something just waiting to be discovered.I love a painting I can come back to again and again, each time discovering something new.

Loose. Free. Big!

Time to get out your mark making tools!  Flora Bowley’s Bloom True class is coming to you!

I have written many blog posts on Flora Bowley. My admiration runs deep for this woman! I love her story.She has put herself and her art out there and it was not an easy task for her. I think she best defines brave and bloom. She has taught me how to let go and discover my own personal painting style and helped me along on my own personal creative journey.

Flora Bowleys next Bloom True ~ the e-course starts Monday Sept. 30th! Five weeks  painting in your own private classroom. No one critiquing~ just you, your paints and inspiration. You will have the added bonus of professional video, audio interviews  and a private, online community to discuss your process with.

This little promotional video sums it up nicely!

BUT this is my all time favorite video of Flora painting from start to finish

I have been lucky enough to take both Flora’s e-course and live class. While I loved meeting her in person, I found the online setting to be more conducive to me letting go and playing. No distractions from other classmates or being influenced by what others were doing. Lots of time to review the videos at your own pace and do what she does. I also felt I received enough critique from Flora and my online community as both were quick to answer any questions I had.

Put the music on, move and explore your creative side…

If you paint at night I would even suggest a few glasses of wine because it just never hurts!

I hope this helps to give you an idea of what to expect during Flora’s course. I have many a blog post discussing my trials and tribulations with the whole intuitive way of painting. Just “search”  intuitive painting, Flora Bowley, Bloom true ,Brave Intuitive you or mark making in my “search” box (in the side column to the right) I think everything is there to answer any questions you may have. If you are still curious, please feel free to ask away, either below in comments or, directly at jules@bollah.com.

P.s. I have affiliated with Flora and Do what you love to help promote Flora’s Bloom True classes! This is as close as I could get to buying the company:) If you are interested in taking her class please mention me or click through my site here to register. Help me save up to take more Do what you love courses! I am a little addicted and need  help to pay for my art habit!

Inspired by.. a better, brave, intuitive me!

So sad. My time with Flora Bowley is over…but only for the time being…

I am 8 canvas into this brave, intuitive way of creating.. Some almost finished, some on their way to completion, one..or maybe two,  waiting to be totally transformed.

I am in awe at how much my painting technique, and  dare I say.. style, has transformed over the past 4 months since my first meeting with her.

I can honestly say that I believe this has become my way of creating. Simply…its a process that I love. It has offered me a whole new shiny perspective on how and why to create.

I was in amazement after my first weekend course with her last November at the Annex. Now 3 months later, having just completed her Bloom True ecourse,  I am even more grateful and still very awe-struck. I believe our paths will cross yet again. My time with her is not finished… there is still so much to be learned.

To date..

I have learned to be open to suggestion. To let loose. To have patience and let my painting develop. It takes time to build to build a village…

I have learned to embrace color  and use it with wild abandon. The option to tone it down later is always there. Acrylic paint is flexible! I have learned volumes about color mixing by just playing with no worry about the outcome.

I have learned a multitude of new marks and brush strokes.  I have become quite ingenious at coming up with  new devices for mark making…oh, the things that are now covered in paint. I have also been very open to using lots of different medium from alcohol ink to paper to thread to achieve different marks.

I have learned the importance of depth, transparency, value and contrast. Now I am learning how to put them into play.

There has been a lot of learning go on around here for the past 4 months!

Trust me when I say there have also been many moments of  tears and  frustration. What would a creative journey be without a mixture of tears and triumph!?

I have been hesitant to blog too much about Flora’s process. Mainly because I believe it is so much more than just painting. It is a way of thinking. A way of approaching your blank canvas with loads of possibility. It is a way of  discovery and most important self-awareness.

I still have a little chuckle when I look at all of my work. All I really want to do is produce just one piece of “Floresque” style painting. Just one… But, try as I might I have been unable to pull it off. Flora has so much skill, intuition and, most importantly, love for what she creates. It comes very naturally to her.( I can’t tell you how many underpaintings I would have happily purchased…just to watch her paint over them in a completely new direction..)

An aside here…I am not for “copying”, but I do believe there is alot to be learned by trying to copy.

I have studied how she combines color~how she makes her imagery pop ~how she creates so much depth.These are all lessons to be learned by observing and trying. Unfortunately..or fortunately, the beauty of this style of painting is that you kind of get lost in the process. So while I am still striving to create at least one piece in her style I am willing to bet I will never be able to achieve it. I don’t have that much focus!!

I have, therefore, asked my husband to just please , pretty please, buy me just one of her paintings. Fingers crossed!

In closing all I have to say is ~  Flora, you have rocked my creative world. Your work, your teachings and your words of wisdom have all made me a better artist . Thank you!

A special thank you also goes out to Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love. Floras partner in the creation of this online course. Another special woman who is rocking the creative world. You have to check out her About page. I love it!

If anyone has any questions about either Floras on-line or in-person painting courses please do not hesitate to email me. I have lots to say and love to talk about it!

Or you can just click here for all information..

Until we meet again….

Inspired by….some more intuitive painting with Flora

I am three weeks in to Flora Bowleys ecourse….Bloom True.

Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride….but one that I am loving! I laughed out loud when I heard Flora use that exact term to describe the process. At least now I know I am on the right path!

The typical painting goes something like this…

Oh, so much fun. Spreading paint with wild abandon.I could do this forever…this is what I love.Spray, splatter,swipe. Loving the cool colors and textures I am creating. Oh and I never knew how to make that color!! Wow, looking good..

Oh oh, now that’s just plain ugly. How did it just go from great to bad? Shouldnt have done that. Paint over. Damn, just painted over a part  I really like. You want me to add black and white..oh ok..well now its just really ugly. Wheres the gesso. No, dont touch it…let it grow,trust your instincts….

Its madness. I have caught myself talking out loud.. more than once. Sorry, I mean talking to the dog.

I love it…I hate it..

I  have had moments of feeling like a superstar…the next Rothko. I have had moments when I have questioned this style of working.I have had to leave the house more than once to just walk and clear my head.  My husband is very thankful he is away traveling.

Well here you have my process….plus a possible finished product.

Stop shaking your head….I know…poppies again… ahh…my comfort zone. I saw more than one parrot lurking around in there.

Not signed yet…so there is still lots of time for changes!

I have to be honest,  this style of intuitive painting is right up my alley. I have comittment issues  at the best of times and the beauty of this style is that it can go any new direction at any time. Makes me feel so free…

I do shake my head a bit at another poppy painting. But, there is a rhyme and reason to it all. I am trying to explore themes and different ways of presenting the same thing. Things that I love…things that inspire me. I have never painted just pods so that’s a little different.

I would be curious as to which stage of the painting you liked best. I know I was in love around Layer 4-5 and when I first started adding the images. I am finding that with most of my paintings I am loving the middle section of the process vs the final product. I believe there is a lesson to be learned here. I need to stop then…maybe go a little abstract and keep it loose. I find I am loosing all of the wonderful marks in my journey back into my comfort zone…texture.

Constantly learning…. It feels good and while I do get a wee bit frustrated, it is nice to know I am making progress!

Thank you for all of your comments as I stumble through this process. At times I still cannot believe I am putting it out there, but I really do love and appreciate the community that I have become a part of….so much fun!

Have a great weekend!

Do you want to be part of this crazy, creative process with Flora Bowley? It is really quite fun! For more info on her course click here.

Inspired by….Bloom True (the e-course)

I am at it again. Stalking poor Flora. Read about her here….over here and here… I really should become her PR gal. Hmmmm…

This time I am taking her newly released e-course Bloom True. As I expected it is everything I imagined and more.She is true to her word.

I am OPEN to it all!

So bear with me for the next 6 weeks as you help me intuitively paint myself to greatness.I will try to limit my ” Help ..What do you see?” questions.

I have really been enjoying our classroom community. I love reading everyone’s comments and thinking “Yes, I get what you are saying, I see that…I know where you are coming from… ” But it is our own process and each and everyone of us will find our own way.Its just so nice to know you are not alone in your process. Everyone is finding and sharing.It is a great learning environment.

The key is trust.Not an easy value to uphold when painting. Especially when you have an inner critic sitting right next to you, critiquing every move…..

Currently we are working on our mark making. I have been searching the house high and low for tools. Just recently I received a lovely bottle of wine as a gift…wrapped in some fabulous cardboard.

What am I thinking you ask? I am eyeing the cardboard with great enthusiasm thinking the ridges on it will be a fine mark making tool. My children and husband no longer speak, they just glance sideways at each other and hope and pray that they did not inherit this gene….

So here you go. What I have found helpful in my mark making process. Fun times and lots of play….

My very own homemade cut outs. These are made from sturdy paint chips, a couple of different hole punches and an exacto knife. Anything goes…
 Fruit and veggie mesh. Great for spraying paint or inks on.
 Scrapbook paper cutouts, ridged cardboard,raised paper…
 Anything to scratch, etch and move paint around.

 Scrap cuts outs. Love these. Once again great for spraying through or painting on top.
And last but not least. My favorite…

Spray bottles, fluid paint and ink. I am loving these. My walls and floors are not!
Great for spraying through cutouts, or into wet paint. Great for drips!

So there you have it. Add a paint brush or two, fingers and rags and you have an arsenal of great mark making tools!
I would love to hear what you are using. Please share and feel free to add a link!

Thanks for dropping by…and remember…..

practice, patience and perseverance

For more information on Flora Bowleys workshops click here!

Trust me, it will change the way you paint.If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at jules@bollah.com

Inspired by…exhausted by…intuitive painting

Oh my goodness I am exhausted. This whole new brave, intuitive way of painting is slowly killing me. ..It is also cluttering up my home.

I am surrounded by canvas all begging for attention. All waiting for me to find something, some imagery in them. I must have at least 5 canvas on the go right now. Some intuitive style, some not. I think I am going to start turning their faces to the wall.

Pick me…don’t you see the huge orange poppy? your favorite poppy pods?..No, pick me I am so a birch tree….oh..and I have some birds in me too..What about me? Pick me, why dont you love me? I have been sitting here for over three months.. waiting…  I have potential, you’ll see..love me…..

There we go…silence.

My favorite is now, in desperation, asking my children to find images for me. I asked my teenage daughter what she saw in one of my paintings. All I got was a “seriously?” you expect me to find something in that mess. My younger son, on the other hand, was able to find an entire, very complicated NYC skyline.

If I see one more bird , tree or flower emerge from all of my mark making I may scream. Really now…why cant I find a lovely figure or maybe a sailboat?

It must all  boil down to the subconscious. What do I do when not painting and living life? I doodle.

I doodle big bold flowers, leaves and fields of dreams. I guess it is only natural that I then keep seeing these images emerge in my paintings.

I think it may be time to sit down and scan some magazines and books. I need to build up a repertoire of  new images in my art journal.

So, just because, I have posted a few progression pieces..work in progress, mind you. (There is no such thing as a finished painting around here..you are not safe from gesso until you leave the house:)

making marks

sorry…white balance a little off..but you can start to see images..

outlining images..choosing colors..

still working color…

Close to being finished, but not quite. Definitely inspired by Flora, but trying to make it my own. Adding lots of texture. I am not one for transparency. Still need to add all the icing…more outlining and images to draw all the colors together. Also need a smoother transition from light to dark.

Any other suggestions? Please……

Hold onto your hats for this one. This one is full of flowers and birds of all kinds.

mark making..warm and cool colors..

Amongst it all I was thrilled to have found this…

I see a barn!..seriously? do you see it?

In a 24″ by 24″ painting covered in marks, I found this little 3 inch section of what looked like an old barn and some rolling hills and now, all of a sudden, I have a game plan!!

I see a village coming on…

Sigh of relief…I can only take so much braveness…I am actually still not that brave as I am still finding images “precious”..I have to be willing to turn this canvas upside down and re-work it…that still makes me quiver in my boots..

This has hours of attention coming its way…

In a nutshell,I love intuitive painting. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is such a fun, free wheelin’ process. Everytime I work a painting this way I learn oodles of information~ be it a mark, a texture, a color combination or an image. I can’t tell you how liberating it is to just paint and see what happens. I am constantly surprising myself…and this, my friends, keeps the love for painting alive and well in me.

Only three more weeks until Flora Bowleys online course Brave Intuitive You. I can’t wait. I have worked with her in person and written about her here..and here..oh, and here too.

All of a sudden I feel like a bit of  stalker…

My weekend with her was all I hoped for and more, but I feel like I only scraped the surface of this whole intuitive painting style and my potential. I am so excited to explore this concept more.

I am open, willing…. and brave.

Join me!

For more info on Flora and her wonderful courses, take a peek here!

Inspired by …my commitment to just finish!

Had a good laugh today when I found this.

Just in case you forget...go home!

Yes, the to-do list of a ten-year old boy. Life sure is good…

I am happy that he is following my lead and actually making lists because I believe they are a good thing. A good spot to keep an ongoing tally of things that need to get done….always, never-ending and constant…that’s how I refer to my to-do list.

I thought about posting a picture.. or four.. of my list. My friends always make fun of me because not only is it covered with lists, but there is always a doodle or two incorporated into it all. My current list is a few pages long now with the holidays coming up.Unfortunately I am not in the mood for dealing with half the things on my current list. Buying and changing lightbulbs,putting up Christmas lights, baking…these do nothing for me. In fact, I don’t even want to acknowledge some of the things I have to do because I just don’t. feel. like.it! Sometimes it’s nice to be able to just forget…

Ignorance is bliss!

…until you catch a glimpse and groan..oh..really should get that done. I recently found an old to-do list  and had a good laugh when I  discovered that some of my to-do items have still not been done….months later. I happily transfer them from one week to the next..secretly hoping they will just disappear…or that maybe someone else will deal with them.

Ahh..so what have I been doing while I procrastinate? Do you even have to ask?

I am holding myself accountable and trying to  work on my finishing skills. Nothing new is allowed to be started until I finish some of the canvas that are taking up my floor space and my mind space. I need to clear out and de-clutter. My goal is to start and complete two paintings a week. All I ask from you is that you hold me to it!

So here is the progression of this weeks two painting.. I blogged about the inspiration for them here.

I started both using the same colors, but different mark making tools. They both took on a life of their own after that.

mark making

Finding images

Working it..

Ok, it’s not quite finished. I am a little stuck on what to do next. These poppies are a little too free wheeling for me. I think they need to be grounded with stems, but I don’t want stems dividing up the page. Any suggestions? I am thinking that I may try to portray the image of stems, but right now I am drawing a bit of a blank. It will come…

Work #2

same colors...different marks

Finding images...and obliterating

Phthalo Blue was NOT in my color scheme here. But in the back of my mind I could hear Flora saying “do something bold”. Phthalo Blue is me breaking out the bad. It is such an intense color that seems to just take over. It’s about as naughty as I can get these days…

Working it...

I think this is done. Or maybe I am just done with it! I think I just need to balance out the background a bit more..

These will both be going in my Etsy shop. Oh, that’s right…etsy shop still on my to-do list…!

Have a great week!

p.s.
Flora Bowleys e-course is open for registration. It doesn’t start until February so think about it!
Registration is open now and this five-week painting adventure will begin on Monday February 6, 2012. See http://braveintuitiveyou.com/e-course/registration/

Inspired by…Flora Bowley Bloom True E-course (yippee..)

BREAKING NEWS!!

(well in real life it would be, but in the internet world it is almost old news..and it is only 2 hours old!)…… AEDM creative challenge continues below…….

I have some very exciting news for you today. I have mentioned Flora Bowley numerous times in my blog. She is one of the first artists whose work resonated with me. She sparked my imagination. She helped me reach a whole new level of artistic playfulness.

Flora Bowley surrounded by her artwork

I could even go so far as to say Flora knocked me on my ass! I was a bit lost after my True Bloom workshop with her two weeks ago. After, I had to sit down and re-asses how I wanted to express myself. I hate to say it was life-altering, but I really do believe something shifted in me.

I have posted about my experience here. Will I be taking her Bloom True – the e-course version? You betcha’!  It’s not just about learning her style. It is about letting go. Opening yourself up to endless creative possibilities. Exploring.

All practices that we, as artists, should learn to embrace.

Well, lucky for all of you…she has just announced her first e-course! (For those of you living in remote places…now is the time to jump for joy)

Bloom True ~ the e-course

Bloom true: the e-course’ presents a groundbreaking and transformational approach to painting (and living) that celebrates intuition, connects body, mind and spirit and allows unique and expressive paintings to emerge naturally and authentically.

Brimming with high-definition video demonstrations, new techniques, unique lessons and inspiring prompts, this course will empower even first time painters to unlock their creative flow while gleaning life transforming lessons along the way.  This will be unlike any other online painting e-course out there, and it may just change the way you paint… forever.

Registration is open now and this five-week painting adventure will begin on Monday February 6, 2012. See http://braveintuitiveyou.com/e-course/registration/

If you havent signed up already…you should! Dont forget to admire her new website while you are there!

xo

For more information on Flora Bowleys Bloom True e-course click here!

p.p.s….. creative everyday resumes below!

Inspired by…practice, patience,perserverance

Playing with marks. My go-to guide in times of need.

Since returning from Flora Bowleys Bloom True workshop I have been thinking a lot about mark making. I am still amazed at how liberating it was to just paint with no predetermined plan. Lots of random marks, lots of color and lots of freedom. As with any workshop, it is always so exciting to come home and put your new skills to work.

The problem I am faced with now is what to do with all this new-found knowledge. I really enjoyed the process of creating in her class and it is something I would definitely like to continue in my own work. The question is….how do I make it my own?

I see a bird and a flower and a cloud and ........

A work in progress….looking for imagery..interesting marks and texture.

As thrilled as I would be to create my own “Flora” . It’s just not going to happen.  I love , no LOVE her work, but even though I watched carefully and listened I still cannot adopt her style. Its just not the way I work…even though I would love it if it were!

I have sat down to paint a number of times since and I have to be honest.. I am feeling a bit lost. To begin with every substrate feels much to small. I only want to paint big. I want to use colors that I haven’t used before, but I am not entirely sure how to mix them.I  also want to paint freely but having trouble coming up with imagery.

Well that’s not entirely true. I have tons of images I have doodled throughout my journal, but I guess I am just a little tired of seeing them. Need some new images.

Shouldn’t have any problem finding them in our household….

hours of entertainment...

Definitely feeling a wee bit frustrated .I think I need to just step back and breathe.

Note to self…

Practice..Patience…Perserverance

It will all come together in time.

I would love to hear where you find your images? Magazines, websites, photography…pinterest?

Still inspired by… Flora Bowley

All I want to do is get down and paint! If those are not the lyrics to a song…they should be.

Just had a fantastic awe-inspiring weekend of creating at a Flora Bowley workshop ~ Bloom True.

I have had my eye on her workshops for a while now, but unfortunately they have always been a wee bit too far to really consider. How excited was I to discover that Artfest Annex was hosting one of her workshops in Seattle? Very. An opportunity not to be missed.

endless color

Oh what I would give to have a few more days surrounded by a group of like-minded souls creating with no distractions. Time spent exploring art and friendship. It doesn’t get any better does it?

her apron matches her artwork..

Flora Bowley…where to begin? Big smile, easy-going. A free spirit.Very grounded , but with a tendency to sing out her words. I smile as I write because there is just something about her that makes me chuckle. I like her!
I believe my first encounter with Flora was on a rainy Sunday morning, latte in hand, blog hopping through my other world. I instantly fell into her artwork. Her color scheme, her use of organic shapes and her marks all drew me in. What I was most intrigued by though was her layers. I love layers. I love to stare at a piece and each time discover something new. Never ending layers each peeking through. It makes me want to sing!
Having spent a weekend with  Flora, I now get it. She has fun with her work. She surrenders herself to her paintings and paints from her soul.She doesnt over think the process. She commits to little.She only keeps what she loves and will easily paint over hours of work. She is willing to change her course at any time… What you see is what you get! And trust me…its lovely!
I am proud to say this woman is definitely artistically afflicted… She has the courage to constantly question her work. To search for what she wants to portray.To let go….all lessons we need to embrace as artists.She gives me hope!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I not only walked away with a whole new arsenal of tips and techniques to apply to my own style of art, but I also learned some very valuable life..art lessons. Because really now.. it is all one in the same.

Heather grooving to the tunes

Floras workshop was held at the Artfest Annex in downtown Seattle. You must check it out! I will now go  on to sing the praises of Teesha Moore. Another soul in the art world who has inspired many with her art journaling and Art festivals.This woman has created a beautiful awe-inspiring art studio. High ceilings,wood floors, brick walls and flooded by natural light.To top it off you are surrounded by her big, bold beautiful art work.Insightful art work. One cannot help but feel inspired here.

Beginning marks...

finding images...

Still not sure how I got from this to this….but I know it involved a lot of layers,more marks,standing on my head and ….letting go.

finished product...

An awesome weekend was had by all.
For me personally….I think it may have been a turning point.

Thanks ,once again, Flora!!

For more info on Flora and her wonderful course, click here!

P.S. A sneak peek of Floras new book…coming out soon! Watch out for it!

sneek peek....