Monday, September 28, 2009

i caught the bug . . .






"joy and her bird hope"
mixed media collage
14 x 14 x 1.5 canvas
(c) 2009 julie king

 
. . . that wonderfully fulfilling gotta paint all night creative bug!!!! i spent part of saturday and sunday immersed in paper and paint in my art room. i loved every minute of it. it was soul nourishing, heart healing, frustration-releasing therapy. yes, my friend, therapy!   the piece above titled "joy and her bird hope" has a watercolor pencil background, acrylic paints and collage. i wanted to do something very light and joyful and i was pleased with how it turned out.

 


"she journeyed far"
mixed media collage
12 x 18 x 3/4 solid aspen
(c) 2009 julie king

i've been wanting to revisit a style and theme i did a while back (click here to see the original she journeyed far). i loved the original she journeyed far piece that i did but had ideas on how to do a similar piece. this one is bigger and she has a lace collar on plus vintage lacey bone-like buttons. i still want to do some work on her face, especially eyes and her hair needs some detail and highlights. can anyone recommend a good online class about sketching and painting faces? i'd like to explore this genre a bit more. i particularly suck at noses.


 

here's a work in process that i'm really enjoying. i had a few pieces of tall thin 3/4" thick poplar and was enthused to come up with a skinny concept. can you tell what it is from the photo above?



 

maybe this will help. the blue is shiny scrapbook paper that i will glue down for the kimono of the japanese lady in her poppy garden. i have no idea how this will turn out but i'm having fun with it. tomorrow evening i hope to start painting her face and hair. it's one big experiment; there's no telling how it will end up. i'll post photos soon

what bugs have you caught lately?!!

28 comments:

Joanna said...

Seeing your work is very inspiring Julie. When I get back from my trip I will begin to do some drawing and painting.

jody said...

love your pieces, julie!
sorry i've been a stranger.
i have been back to sculpting and painting and finally have a creative workspace. i could spend all my time there, especially when baby naps and late at night.
not sure about face sketching, but i'd love to explore it, too.
my favorite faces are my daughter's pure sketches---true folk art and so pure.
keep that beautiful painting coming!
xxoo
jody

Staci Danford said...

How much fun that looks... Wish I was closer so I could catch that bug. hee hee People who don't FEEL art just don't know what a thrill, joy, and dose of good medicine it is.
Staci

Micki Wilde said...

Those poppies are gorgeous!! I can't wait to see it finished.

Micki x

Anonymous said...

Wow, Julie, these are wonderful.
Creating art all night, you were certainly inspired!
Love the backgrounds and the beauties! Precious all three of them.

Memories Of Mine said...

These are beautiful paintings. I love the Japanese lady and the princess is so bright and cheerful.

Betsy Brock said...

Well, I'm currently waiting for the wallpaper-stripping bug to bite me. ha-ha!

Love the poppies!

angela recada said...

I love your lighthearted style! These are terrific. Your creativity is so inspiring and makes me want to drop everything and make some art, too. I hope your bug is highly contagious!
:0)

sara said...

I love that little bird on her shoulder! I catch the same bug!!! Glad you had some good creating time!

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

These are fabulous! I can't wait to see the tall skinny one finished...

Tess Kincaid said...

Well, the only bug I've caught lately is a nasty cold. bleh.

Love Joy's musical crown. Fun pieces, Julie.

RNSANE said...

I look at your work, Julie, and realize that I have no artistic talent whatsoever. I do write some poetry but I couldn't sculpt or paint to save my life. I thoroughly enjoy yours and am just in awe of the lovely art you create.

Unknown said...

Hi Julie! Good to catch up with you. I especially enjoyed your post about choices. Yes, that struck a chord with me. Good luck with the printmaking. Let me know if I can help.

If I may suggest something - try to look in a mirror and draw your own face. Over and over. That's a really good place to start.

Cindy said...

they all look great! you'll be teaching a class before you know it. the last piece looks very interesting. can't wait to see if completed.

PrairiePeasant said...

I'm happy for you that you've caught the right kind of bug! I've caught the sniffly bug but hopefully the good bugs will chase it away soon....

I'm looking forward to seeing the last piece finished!

missysue said...

oh, i LOVE catching that bug! i've been catching it lately as well ;o) it's a wonderful thing! and, as always...your work is just delish!

love + luck + bliss,
missysue xox

Manon said...

I love the bug!! Glad you got it because your work is awesome!!

RedorGrayArt said...

no bugs...just birds...and hearts etc......

you are very inspiring and the mixtures you are trying are creative julie

beth said...

wow....these paintings are amazing !!!
wow wow wow.....

Shannon said...

that last piece is TO DIE FOR! Seriously cannot wait what comes of it and to see what you might be selling when you are all finished! :) I just love when you catch that bug! Now... would you pass it on to me???

steviewren said...

It's always wonderful when the creative bug hits. It looks like you are on quite a roll.

As to drawing faces...try turning a photo upside down and see if you are able to draw it that way. It helps you to stop drawing what you think it should look like but rather the shapes you see. (hmmm, I need to practice my own advice some...)

lissa said...

wonderful works & very inspirational, I see a lot of positive vibes in your work and the joy that you express makes me wish I could paint like you, I like that you use mix media rather than just paint

Char said...

gorgeous work - I can't wait to see the skinny one finished! I have a love for skinny art for some reason.

MATHILDE PRIMAVERA said...

J'adore votre univers, c'est tout simplement magique, une féérie de couleurs et de matières sublime !
Excellent travail ! Surtout longue vie à votre blog !

Tracy Nuskey Dodson said...

Wonderful creations Julie! I can't wait to see the last one finished...the poppies are great!!

Kerri Jean said...

I love your work and your words and your attitude Julie. It's always so good to visit your blog. I don't know if she offers online classes, but even just looking at DJ Pettit's portrait paintings is inspiring. her website is www.djpettitt.com

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Now that's the kind of bug to catch! Love every one of them!

steviewren said...

Of course, I love your bird girl. The lace collar on the second girl is a beautiful addition to the piece. I love how prolific you are. You're always creating something new.