New Website!

It’s done! My new website is complete!

Whoop ! Whoop!

After one whole year of dreaming and scheming about my creative life, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my brand new, shiny website! Pop on over here  juliehamiltoncreative.com for a visit

Once again, my main feature will be my blog and portfolio, but I have also added a shop! My very own storefront! It is looking pretty empty right now, but not for long. I have all sorts of plans to fill it with happy and colourful new art for you.

A big shout out and thank you to Erin and LiveBig who gently guided me through the growing pains and helped point me in the right direction. Only a good friend could have stood by me through numerous art therapy discussions about who I really am as an artist. As you will discover, I still haven’t narrowed it down. My portfolio runneth over…

I like to do it all! I have decided That is who I am. There is  just no going back.

My hope is to once again provide creative inspiration to you here on the Blog. I love the creative process, all of the  play and possibility. I will continue to share with you my favourite classes, new techniques, different mediums and inspiration.

I have also started a new series on Instagram called #Sketchbook_Studies. Pop by and have a look here. I have been sharing my process pictures, but it will be nice to have a home  to discuss it.

That’s all for now! I just wanted to say Welcome and thank you for popping by! Once again here it is  juliehamiltoncreative.com You will be able to sign up for my newsletter there too!

I love to be social so for daily communication please pop by my Instagram and say hello.

I am there all the time..I consider it my office space

Julie

p.s .. all my previous blog posts from my Artistically Afflicted blog are on my new site!

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Happy Holidays to you!

It is a bit of a Winter Wonderland right now in Whistler. Everything is exactly like it should be.

WHITE

We have had endless days of snow, the twinkly lights are all lit up and the skiers have arrived for what has proved to be the start of an epic season. So much fun hooting and hollering through the snow drifts. It restores my love for here.

Thankfully with all the snow has come a pile of Christmas spirit. I have been in Christmas mode over here designing and decorating. It makes such a difference doing it now, versus in April, when the sun is starting to shine and the grass and flowers are beginning to pop. My goal is to get as much created now while inspiration strikes.

A series of wooded boughs and all things natural. I love the woodland feel of these. I am still painting and cutting daily and have enjoyed adding all of this Christmas flora and foliage to my portfolio.

A few colourful paper-cuts have been compiled all with a festive feel. I still like bit of traditional red and green for the holiday season.. plus it still sells well in the art licensing world!

 

Wishing you a Happy Holiday season! Enjoy every minute of it.

See you in 2016!

xo

An Illustrated Christmas Challenge

It’s the time of the year to doodle, paint, stamp and play your way through the holidays.

The illustrated advent challenge is on!

So far I have counted 4 groups participating, but I am sure there are many more. Feel free to check out their accounts and play along. It is a great way to get inspired, meet others in your community and make work for your portfolio.

Here are the links for you to see the  christmas prompts and hashtags:

1. #adventartchallenge  – organized by Four Corners Art Collective
2. #sketchaday_penandpaint – organized by Lindsay Hopkins
3. #illustratedadvent2015 – organized by Rebecca Stoner and Suzanne Washington
4. #365doodleswithjohannafritz – organized by Johanna Fritz

Last year I participated and made a ton of work for my portfolio. A few pieces derived from the month got licensed, the others I chalk up to practice and experience. This year I will not be illustrating one, but will  continue to make art everyday concentrating on areas that need work.

I will post a round up of all the great images I have been seeing here later in the month.

Enjoy!

Big Fat Art with Jane Davies

Meet Jane.

Jane is fun, quirky, straightforward, very creative and a whole lot spontaneous!

I had the pleasure of spending all last week with Jane Davies on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. Three days of Big Fat Art and another two of Monoprinting with the infamous Gelliplate. I was definitely in my happy place spending long days just creating with no means to an end, making unexpected marks, combining new colours and exploring lots of layers.

A little ukulele playing did not hurt the process….

We spent the week exploring fast, carefree mark-making with various mark making tools, charcoal, water-colour crayons, ink and pastel. We combined unexpected colours, playing with opaque and transparent colours. We added texture through the use of paint and handmade collage papers.We learned how to add lots of depth to our work. We even added a few drips here and there.

We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun.

Most importantly though we silenced the inner critic within and created with no concern for what is right and what is wrong.

To be truthful, it wasn’t easy. It can be a little disconcerting to try new things and work against principles that have been ingrained in you by every art teacher and book out there.

What I loved about Jane was her constant encouragement to push past what we already know and try something different, and her love for the creative process versus the finished outcome.

For me that included No imagery – no flowers, birds or other whimsical things flying around and, gasp, maybe putting some purple in my work.

Ok, some things I just couldn’t manage to push myself past, BUT look how awesome it looks below with the reds and yellows!

This, once again, reminds me of the importance of keeping an art journal. A safe place to try out new marks, colours and techniques. A place to make some really bad art with hopefully some unexpected surprises of greatness!

Here are a few of my works in progress. A few things I learned about myself:

I love strong, bold colour. I love texture, but not necessarily patterned texture. I love depth.I love discovering little marks hiding underneath different layers.I love organic shapes. I love a wee bit of black in my work. I love contrast.

I am a wee bit scared of the abstract. I still don’t feel comfortable with the tension it often adds to work.

I also learned that I need to add more areas of rest and lightness to my work. I need to take a deep breath and work on the details of each smaller piece within the bigger whole, to be more mindful and to slow down and sit with a piece before I call it finished. I need to add more interestingness to my work either by contrast, line or layering.

What a great week! I could spend all day, everyday, creating.

For more info on Jane please visit her website. Do not miss out on her tutorials tab. Jane is very generous with her knowledge and discoveries and has dozens of great video tutorials to share. Small doses of creative inspiration!

She also offers online and real life workshops. Sign up for her newsletter for more info on upcoming courses.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send me an email.

Have a great week! I hope the sun is shining and the autumn leaves are in full color for you.

Happy Earth Day!

The birds and the bees,  the water and the trees, flowers, rocks, mountains…..whats not to love?
It inspires me daily.

Happy Earth Day!

Some paper-cut art patterns in honour.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Top tips from Surface Pattern Designers!

A little shout out goes to Ali Benyon of Ali Benyon Designs for her Top tips and tricks for Surface Pattern Designers!

Recently Ali has created  2 blogposts with tips and tricks from a global bunch of surface pattern designers from all stages of their careers. I was fortunate to be included and shared a few of my own pearls of wisdom.

I found that all of the tips and tricks were applicable to anyone in the creative field from artists to start up entrepeneurs.

There was lots of good advice. I walked away with a sense of comfort knowing that it’s not just me ~ this creative business is hard work! It demands that you show up everyday, you practice, and you believe. March forward, head up!

It…is….a….long…..process… (I am always in need of a reminder about this)

Art by Deborah Velasquez

It was interesting to read everyone’s take on being unique and staying true to yourself and your style. It seems that this is a little something that all of us struggle with. It doesn’t surprise me ~ we are visual artists, we love to look at art and more often than not we are inspired by it. I think it’s normal to want to try different tricks and techniques in a style not your own. It’s a great way to learn BUT realize that you have to make it your own. You have to add your very own signature style to it before you call it your own.

There was lots of advice about practice, patience and perseverance, a  few tips about color AND a great reminder of all the routes you can take in this profession. I often forget all of the endless avenues for your art so thank you for that!

I won’t give anymore away. I could spend hours discussing the ins and outs and how and whys of the creative process, but then that would take away from hours that could be spent just… Making Art!

Make Art – Make more Art – Enjoy the process = your time will come!

Part one is here

Part two is here

A big Thanks to Ali for bringing us all together!

Enjoy!

Say YES to 2014!

Happy New Year to all my friends near and far!

I have a few minutes peace here. An hour, maybe two if I am lucky, to just sit, sip tea and think about the holidays.This is a rare moment right now. Our home and life here in Whistler is alive with the hustle and bustle of happy times. Amidst it all, I am finding a spare moment to reflect and set a few goals for the upcoming year. The chaos will continue for weeks to come, but if I can find a small sliver of quiet time daily all will be good.

At this time of year I can’t help but feel melancholic. I am so grateful for the health and happiness that we are  surrounded by right now. I am grateful to have my friends and family together.I am grateful for the supportive and positive community that I have surrounded myself with this past year.

My creative journey has been such a large part of my life these past two years. This blog and everything within – stories and work from fellow creatives, the trials and tribulations of creating,accomplishments (and a fair share of rejection too). All of these stories help make help make up the fabric of my life right now and it all makes me smile. It’s just awesome!

Thank you to each and every one of you!

Sharing my intentions for 2014! I am hoping you will all hold me accountable. I am a bit of a dreamer as you can probably tell as I doodle my way off into 2014.

Thinking of lots great things…for me and you!

If you are interested in creating your very own intentions for 2014 I really enjoyed Do What You Love’s   New Years Revolution. It is very well thought out and a great planner for the year. (it’s free!) I am a believer in pen to paper for all intentions. It has a bit of sticking power and great to review monthly. Have a go!

Wishing you all the best throughout the holidays and into 2014!

Finding inspiration in the spirit of aloha

Very happy to be spending time in one of my favorite places, the Big Island of Hawaii.The moment my feet hit the ground here I feel a sense of coming home.

Lush tropical flora and fauna,dark streaks of lava rock, sun, sand, a warm breeze and the neverending sound of birds and crashing waves all come together to feed  the senses and the soul. The Big Island is charged with tradition and culture that reaches deep. This island holds a very special place in our hearts.

I always love to do a post or two from Hawaii. Its a lovely place to share. Lots of inspiration and color.

Mother nature also has a very good sense of humour here. The shapes, color and texture of the flora and fauna are so unusual.I am constantly in awe of some of the crazy things I find.

My goal for this trip ~ lots of computer free time. Time spent observing, drawing and feeling present.

My sense of urgency to do it all ~ designing, blogging #365 patterns ~ slowly takes a back seat to simply living life.

I  will admit I find it very difficult to switch off and it takes more than a few days. I continue to feel like I am missing out on something, but with time I come to my senses and realize that everything I need is right here ~ family, friends, love and life.

Most believe Aloha is just a greeting, but the word is a way of life for most living here on the islands. Here, Aloha is an attitude, guidance towards living  a certain way of life ~ the Aloha spirit.

A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia’i’o, truthful honesty
H, ha’aha’a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance

A gift from Petra Kern Designs

Look what I received in my mailbox!

Thank you so much Petra Kern!

I was fortunate to win this beautiful, handmade journal on Petra’s blog  just a few weeks ago. I have been excited, patiently waiting for its arrive all the way from Slovenia.

Who doesn’t love a notebook? The perfect place to record thoughts, jot down a favorite recipe or doodle a beautiful motif for a future pattern. I am very impressed with the quality and I admit to setting a high standard for my notebooks. The paper is smooth with a good weight.Perfect for use with black ink, my tool of preference.

I really enjoy looking at all of Petra’s design work. Her work is hand drawn with ink, watercolor  and acrylic paint. She leans towards florals that are feminine and intricate. I love her attention to detail.

I admire her use of color. She has a wonderful way of combining colors that just make me feel happy! Petra has a lovely portfolio on her website. Pop over for some more beautiful examples of her work. Make sure to check out her mixed media paintings too.

I am very happy to have met Petra through The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course. Since graduating she has started her own creative business and is actively pursuing her dreams as a full time surface pattern designer. She is an inspiration.

To find out more Petra, please drop by her website and facebook page.

To purchase your own lovely journal, please drop by her etsy store.

Petra Kern Designs

Petra Kern Design ~ Etsy 

Petra Kern Designs ~ Facebook

I cant believe it is March already! Enjoy every minute.

Inspired by creative scissorhands

Life continues to be very happy here in sunny, Whistler, B.C. Canada. We dream of snow,but instead have been given many beautiful sunny days for this time of the year.No complaints, the skiing is still good, but  do I dare think that winter is almost over?
I continue to juggle an endless stream of fun loving guests,work on “my brand” and website and my goal to create a pattern a day.I am very happy to say that I am (almost) accomplishing it all! Big pat on the back.

I am also managing to find time a bit of time to papercut.

I have been meaning to post about my new found love for papercutting for some time now. The honeymoon period has worn off and I am now fully committed to it. I find it the perfect escape from the computer. I also love that I can sit,chat and have a glass of wine all while papercutting. No injuries yet.

I have not ventured into the very small and intricate form of papercutting yet. A trip to the city and definitely a smaller blade may help me on my way.

I have done a bit of research on the web and have found some beautiful  work that I would like to share with you.

I absolutely love this piece by Peter Callesen. He has transformed a flat piece of paper into a dimensional piece of work with the actual papercut expanding into the outlying space. I am very intrigued by this.I love the fragility of it.

Jeannette Kuvin Oren is extremely talented and,if I might say, a bit artistically afflicted.Her work ranges from mosaics and stained glass to wall hangings  and graphic design. Oh, and she likes to cut paper too!

I feel like I should do a separate blog post on the next artist Elsa Mora.She has created  a wonderful website, art is a way~about imagination and creativity in the spirit of personal growth and collective wellness.

It is full of all sorts of wonderful.A visual treat. Have a look~ Art is a way

Elsa will be in Portland this summer teaching a three day workshop with ACE camps. I have my eye on it.

Elsa, Portland, Ace camps and papercutting ~ it all sounds pretty spectacular.

I would love to discover some more artists working with this medium so if you know of any, please share!

Have a sweet, artfully inspired, week.