Randomness today. 

I did a quick watercolor portrait of my friend Cheryl.  She was crafting and not paying attention, so it was a stealthy act.  I kept peeking at her out of the corner of my eye.  I'm sure she thought I was creepy and crazy!

CherylPortrait
The painting is not quite right.  Definitely more sour looking than she is, but I'm just mucking around trying to get it figured out.

I made a fun canvas yesterday:

Painting-sm
It's quite large.  Probably one of the biggest I've ever made at 16×20.  Here are some of the details:

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Edgedetail-sm
Facedetail-sm
I'm also in the midst of working on a new little journal.  I've been experimenting with some new ideas and techniques:

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BookUnwrapped-sm
Flower-sm
Roses-sm
Spine-sm
Pages-together
Feeling a little stressed too.  (Okay, a little very extremely stressed.)  I've got a lot of things going on right now and there are still only twenty-four hours in the day.  I'm really annoyed that I need to sleep!  Wouldn't I be so much more productive if I didn't have to sleep?!  Sigh.  A girl can dream (though not if she doesn't sleep).  If anyone has a great solution for getting more done in less time, let me know, okay?

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

68 thoughts on “Bits and Pieces

  • Ahh – Cheryl – looks good in watercolor – say hi to her from me when you see her next time 🙂
    Love all the painting – makes me happy to look at!

    Reply
  • Ahh – Cheryl – looks good in watercolor – say hi to her from me when you see her next time 🙂
    Love all the painting – makes me happy to look at!

    Reply
  • Ahh – Cheryl – looks good in watercolor – say hi to her from me when you see her next time 🙂
    Love all the painting – makes me happy to look at!

    Reply
  • Ahh – Cheryl – looks good in watercolor – say hi to her from me when you see her next time 🙂
    Love all the painting – makes me happy to look at!

    Reply
  • I like you experimenting, your work is inspiring, but I lack some courage, probably.
    But more than courage I lack time. (That probably doesn’t sound very English, sorry.) Anyway, if you find out how to cram more hours in one day, blog about it, because I desperately need more hours. My work is taking to many away from me!
    True, sleeping is overrated, but still 😉

    Reply
  • I like you experimenting, your work is inspiring, but I lack some courage, probably.
    But more than courage I lack time. (That probably doesn’t sound very English, sorry.) Anyway, if you find out how to cram more hours in one day, blog about it, because I desperately need more hours. My work is taking to many away from me!
    True, sleeping is overrated, but still 😉

    Reply
  • I like you experimenting, your work is inspiring, but I lack some courage, probably.
    But more than courage I lack time. (That probably doesn’t sound very English, sorry.) Anyway, if you find out how to cram more hours in one day, blog about it, because I desperately need more hours. My work is taking to many away from me!
    True, sleeping is overrated, but still 😉

    Reply
  • I like you experimenting, your work is inspiring, but I lack some courage, probably.
    But more than courage I lack time. (That probably doesn’t sound very English, sorry.) Anyway, if you find out how to cram more hours in one day, blog about it, because I desperately need more hours. My work is taking to many away from me!
    True, sleeping is overrated, but still 😉

    Reply
  • I just had to come out of “Lurkdom” to say Thank you!! coz with your posts about your art classes, I booked myself into a class to revisit ‘my past’ for a class focusing on sketching and painting, which is what I used to love doing about ,……25 years ago LOL I had just lost the confidence,…TU 🙂 x

    Reply
  • I just had to come out of “Lurkdom” to say Thank you!! coz with your posts about your art classes, I booked myself into a class to revisit ‘my past’ for a class focusing on sketching and painting, which is what I used to love doing about ,……25 years ago LOL I had just lost the confidence,…TU 🙂 x

    Reply
  • I just had to come out of “Lurkdom” to say Thank you!! coz with your posts about your art classes, I booked myself into a class to revisit ‘my past’ for a class focusing on sketching and painting, which is what I used to love doing about ,……25 years ago LOL I had just lost the confidence,…TU 🙂 x

    Reply
  • I just had to come out of “Lurkdom” to say Thank you!! coz with your posts about your art classes, I booked myself into a class to revisit ‘my past’ for a class focusing on sketching and painting, which is what I used to love doing about ,……25 years ago LOL I had just lost the confidence,…TU 🙂 x

    Reply
  • Can’t help with adding more hours to your day, but that canvas is wonderful! And hope the stress gets reduced as you complete projects (you always get them done).

    Reply
  • Can’t help with adding more hours to your day, but that canvas is wonderful! And hope the stress gets reduced as you complete projects (you always get them done).

    Reply
  • Can’t help with adding more hours to your day, but that canvas is wonderful! And hope the stress gets reduced as you complete projects (you always get them done).

    Reply
  • Can’t help with adding more hours to your day, but that canvas is wonderful! And hope the stress gets reduced as you complete projects (you always get them done).

    Reply
  • That journal is fabulous … seriously, I love it … every piece of it. I’ve looked at it all morning!!

    Reply
  • That journal is fabulous … seriously, I love it … every piece of it. I’ve looked at it all morning!!

    Reply
  • That journal is fabulous … seriously, I love it … every piece of it. I’ve looked at it all morning!!

    Reply
  • That journal is fabulous … seriously, I love it … every piece of it. I’ve looked at it all morning!!

    Reply
  • I absolutely love that painting. So beautiful like everything else you touch 🙂

    Reply
  • I absolutely love that painting. So beautiful like everything else you touch 🙂

    Reply
  • I absolutely love that painting. So beautiful like everything else you touch 🙂

    Reply
  • I absolutely love that painting. So beautiful like everything else you touch 🙂

    Reply
  • So love that album! I just finished a couple mini books using the tutorial you put up last week. I’m really loving mini books more and more and scrapbook pages less and less. I’m not sure why but between you and Christine Clouse I’m thoroughly inspired!

    Reply
  • So love that album! I just finished a couple mini books using the tutorial you put up last week. I’m really loving mini books more and more and scrapbook pages less and less. I’m not sure why but between you and Christine Clouse I’m thoroughly inspired!

    Reply
  • So love that album! I just finished a couple mini books using the tutorial you put up last week. I’m really loving mini books more and more and scrapbook pages less and less. I’m not sure why but between you and Christine Clouse I’m thoroughly inspired!

    Reply
  • So love that album! I just finished a couple mini books using the tutorial you put up last week. I’m really loving mini books more and more and scrapbook pages less and less. I’m not sure why but between you and Christine Clouse I’m thoroughly inspired!

    Reply
  • Your creations are amazing!! I just love those flowers, so pretty!!

    Reply
  • Your creations are amazing!! I just love those flowers, so pretty!!

    Reply
  • Your creations are amazing!! I just love those flowers, so pretty!!

    Reply
  • Your creations are amazing!! I just love those flowers, so pretty!!

    Reply
  • Beautiful canvas…and your journal looks like so much fun! Love all the little details! Good luck finding more hours in the day…I’ve been trying for years, and still haven’t figured it out! Ha!

    Reply
  • Beautiful canvas…and your journal looks like so much fun! Love all the little details! Good luck finding more hours in the day…I’ve been trying for years, and still haven’t figured it out! Ha!

    Reply
  • Beautiful canvas…and your journal looks like so much fun! Love all the little details! Good luck finding more hours in the day…I’ve been trying for years, and still haven’t figured it out! Ha!

    Reply
  • Beautiful canvas…and your journal looks like so much fun! Love all the little details! Good luck finding more hours in the day…I’ve been trying for years, and still haven’t figured it out! Ha!

    Reply
  • You are so amazing. As I was looking at some of your work, I was wondering if you ever sleep. All I had to do was read a little further to find the answer. I too have felt why sleep when I could get something done. The answer is that without sleep we shall get nothing done. Our bodies will fall apart and just be a heap on the floor. Try scrapping or getting any inspiration from that.
    All that said I love your work and attitude. Wish I could find the time to do even a quarter of what you do.

    Reply
  • You are so amazing. As I was looking at some of your work, I was wondering if you ever sleep. All I had to do was read a little further to find the answer. I too have felt why sleep when I could get something done. The answer is that without sleep we shall get nothing done. Our bodies will fall apart and just be a heap on the floor. Try scrapping or getting any inspiration from that.
    All that said I love your work and attitude. Wish I could find the time to do even a quarter of what you do.

    Reply
  • You are so amazing. As I was looking at some of your work, I was wondering if you ever sleep. All I had to do was read a little further to find the answer. I too have felt why sleep when I could get something done. The answer is that without sleep we shall get nothing done. Our bodies will fall apart and just be a heap on the floor. Try scrapping or getting any inspiration from that.
    All that said I love your work and attitude. Wish I could find the time to do even a quarter of what you do.

    Reply
  • You are so amazing. As I was looking at some of your work, I was wondering if you ever sleep. All I had to do was read a little further to find the answer. I too have felt why sleep when I could get something done. The answer is that without sleep we shall get nothing done. Our bodies will fall apart and just be a heap on the floor. Try scrapping or getting any inspiration from that.
    All that said I love your work and attitude. Wish I could find the time to do even a quarter of what you do.

    Reply
  • Yes, Melanie!  But its kind of a big secret as to where…!  😉

    Reply
  • Yes, Melanie!  But its kind of a big secret as to where…!  😉

    Reply
  • Yes, Melanie!  But its kind of a big secret as to where…!  😉

    Reply
  • Yes, Melanie!  But its kind of a big secret as to where…!  😉

    Reply
  • Wow! That book is gorgeous. Love all the yummy texture.
    Love the canvas as well, just gorgeous.

    Reply
  • Wow! That book is gorgeous. Love all the yummy texture.
    Love the canvas as well, just gorgeous.

    Reply
  • Wow! That book is gorgeous. Love all the yummy texture.
    Love the canvas as well, just gorgeous.

    Reply
  • Wow! That book is gorgeous. Love all the yummy texture.
    Love the canvas as well, just gorgeous.

    Reply
  • Lindos Trabalhos.
    Abracos

    Reply
  • Lindos Trabalhos.
    Abracos

    Reply
  • Lindos Trabalhos.
    Abracos

    Reply
  • Lindos Trabalhos.
    Abracos

    Reply

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