Oy. This one was a doozy. It went through about twelve billion different versions. I honestly think it might count as canvases twenty-five through thirty.
As you know, I'm trying to push myself to go in a more abstract, less face based, direction.
I
am
struggling.
No joke. Having a lot of trouble. But anything worth pursuing is going to involve work, so I'm up for the challenge!
I painted this:
I hung it up in my house and stared at it for a week or two.
I took it down and turned it into this:
I felt like it needed something. I auditioned some ideas:
When I found one I liked, I hung it up to think on for a while:
Then I went out of town and all the little bits of paper I had taped on fell off. So I grabbed the canvas and decided to just get to work.
I love the way it turned out!
I think that this mixed media collage is better because of all the drafts. In the photo above you can see so many of the previous layers of collage and paint peeking through. That's awesome!
All of the collage elements that I used were painted by me or stamped using hand carved stamps. This really helps the whole composition feel totally authentically me!
Even that large die cut flower is a doodle that I drew and then scanned and cut with my ScanNCut. Totally me!
I used my new splatter brush for some different looking splatter and I love it! It gives the long streaks instead of just the little dots. It was super messy (I got paint on my face and in my hair) but worth the mess!
For scale, I took a photo of the painting with a bicycle (yes, the bike is upside down):
It's about 2 feet by 2 feet.
And now I've hung it up in my apartment…
…where it seems to be fitting in just fine. :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie, I just love all the layers…more was definitely better!
Julie, I just love all the layers…more was definitely better!
Julie, I just love all the layers…more was definitely better!
Julie, I just love all the layers…more was definitely better!
Julie, I just love all the layers…more was definitely better!
I truly like the last version of this canvas. I admire that you will work through a piece until it feels “right”.
I truly like the last version of this canvas. I admire that you will work through a piece until it feels “right”.
I truly like the last version of this canvas. I admire that you will work through a piece until it feels “right”.
I truly like the last version of this canvas. I admire that you will work through a piece until it feels “right”.
I truly like the last version of this canvas. I admire that you will work through a piece until it feels “right”.
Love the bicycle prop photo. Do you sell your paintings?
Love the bicycle prop photo. Do you sell your paintings?
Love the bicycle prop photo. Do you sell your paintings?
Love the bicycle prop photo. Do you sell your paintings?
Love the bicycle prop photo. Do you sell your paintings?
It was wonderful seeing the different phases your canvas went through to completion. I should challenge myself to do the same but with faces. I am sure it would increase my ability. Thanks for the inspiration
It was wonderful seeing the different phases your canvas went through to completion. I should challenge myself to do the same but with faces. I am sure it would increase my ability. Thanks for the inspiration
It was wonderful seeing the different phases your canvas went through to completion. I should challenge myself to do the same but with faces. I am sure it would increase my ability. Thanks for the inspiration
It was wonderful seeing the different phases your canvas went through to completion. I should challenge myself to do the same but with faces. I am sure it would increase my ability. Thanks for the inspiration
It was wonderful seeing the different phases your canvas went through to completion. I should challenge myself to do the same but with faces. I am sure it would increase my ability. Thanks for the inspiration
I love her! Eclectic, colorful, Balzer”fetti”!
I love her! Eclectic, colorful, Balzer”fetti”!
I love her! Eclectic, colorful, Balzer”fetti”!
I love her! Eclectic, colorful, Balzer”fetti”!
I love her! Eclectic, colorful, Balzer”fetti”!
Beautiful work Julie! Did you use a specific type of paint (heavy, fluid, etc.) or a mix of all different kinds?
Beautiful work Julie! Did you use a specific type of paint (heavy, fluid, etc.) or a mix of all different kinds?
Beautiful work Julie! Did you use a specific type of paint (heavy, fluid, etc.) or a mix of all different kinds?
Beautiful work Julie! Did you use a specific type of paint (heavy, fluid, etc.) or a mix of all different kinds?
Beautiful work Julie! Did you use a specific type of paint (heavy, fluid, etc.) or a mix of all different kinds?
Love it! I love to see all the layers. I think this one is on my favorite list! Gorgeous.
Love it! I love to see all the layers. I think this one is on my favorite list! Gorgeous.
Love it! I love to see all the layers. I think this one is on my favorite list! Gorgeous.
Love it! I love to see all the layers. I think this one is on my favorite list! Gorgeous.
Love it! I love to see all the layers. I think this one is on my favorite list! Gorgeous.
Love it. I think I just stop too soon – and turning it was an act of genius. I have just started turning my pieces as I paint – hadn’t thought of doing it to see a better composition. Thanks.
Love it. I think I just stop too soon – and turning it was an act of genius. I have just started turning my pieces as I paint – hadn’t thought of doing it to see a better composition. Thanks.
Love it. I think I just stop too soon – and turning it was an act of genius. I have just started turning my pieces as I paint – hadn’t thought of doing it to see a better composition. Thanks.
Love it. I think I just stop too soon – and turning it was an act of genius. I have just started turning my pieces as I paint – hadn’t thought of doing it to see a better composition. Thanks.
Love it. I think I just stop too soon – and turning it was an act of genius. I have just started turning my pieces as I paint – hadn’t thought of doing it to see a better composition. Thanks.
I love it, too! I find it hard to keep pushing till I get to something that feels really right. Thanks for the inspiration
I love it, too! I find it hard to keep pushing till I get to something that feels really right. Thanks for the inspiration
I love it, too! I find it hard to keep pushing till I get to something that feels really right. Thanks for the inspiration
I love it, too! I find it hard to keep pushing till I get to something that feels really right. Thanks for the inspiration
I love it, too! I find it hard to keep pushing till I get to something that feels really right. Thanks for the inspiration
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Wow
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Wow
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Wow
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Wow
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Wow
Love it! Admire that you have the courage to work through all the various stages. It takes guts to press forward. I know when something I’m working on needs work and that’s when I get stuck: “I don’t like this, but I really like this. Better not touch it; I could ruin it.” Thanks for the inspiration!
Love it! Admire that you have the courage to work through all the various stages. It takes guts to press forward. I know when something I’m working on needs work and that’s when I get stuck: “I don’t like this, but I really like this. Better not touch it; I could ruin it.” Thanks for the inspiration!
Love it! Admire that you have the courage to work through all the various stages. It takes guts to press forward. I know when something I’m working on needs work and that’s when I get stuck: “I don’t like this, but I really like this. Better not touch it; I could ruin it.” Thanks for the inspiration!
Love it! Admire that you have the courage to work through all the various stages. It takes guts to press forward. I know when something I’m working on needs work and that’s when I get stuck: “I don’t like this, but I really like this. Better not touch it; I could ruin it.” Thanks for the inspiration!
Love it! Admire that you have the courage to work through all the various stages. It takes guts to press forward. I know when something I’m working on needs work and that’s when I get stuck: “I don’t like this, but I really like this. Better not touch it; I could ruin it.” Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this, Julie!! The layers, the colors, the perfect additions of white and different forms of text! I want to get lost in it!
I love this, Julie!! The layers, the colors, the perfect additions of white and different forms of text! I want to get lost in it!
I love this, Julie!! The layers, the colors, the perfect additions of white and different forms of text! I want to get lost in it!
I love this, Julie!! The layers, the colors, the perfect additions of white and different forms of text! I want to get lost in it!
I love this, Julie!! The layers, the colors, the perfect additions of white and different forms of text! I want to get lost in it!
I love the end result
I love the end result
I love the end result
I love the end result
I love the end result
I too love the results. I especially respond to the first image. Love the drips too. I also love how your art and creative energy is abound in your living environment. Love how you hang your art work and make an otherwise back of cabinets look so vibrant, alive. It is like being in an art museum in your space.
I too love the results. I especially respond to the first image. Love the drips too. I also love how your art and creative energy is abound in your living environment. Love how you hang your art work and make an otherwise back of cabinets look so vibrant, alive. It is like being in an art museum in your space.
I too love the results. I especially respond to the first image. Love the drips too. I also love how your art and creative energy is abound in your living environment. Love how you hang your art work and make an otherwise back of cabinets look so vibrant, alive. It is like being in an art museum in your space.
I too love the results. I especially respond to the first image. Love the drips too. I also love how your art and creative energy is abound in your living environment. Love how you hang your art work and make an otherwise back of cabinets look so vibrant, alive. It is like being in an art museum in your space.
I too love the results. I especially respond to the first image. Love the drips too. I also love how your art and creative energy is abound in your living environment. Love how you hang your art work and make an otherwise back of cabinets look so vibrant, alive. It is like being in an art museum in your space.
looks so great, love the end result
looks so great, love the end result
looks so great, love the end result
looks so great, love the end result
looks so great, love the end result
Hi Julie. Your finished canvas looks great! I go through similar trials sometimes.
Hi Julie. Your finished canvas looks great! I go through similar trials sometimes.
Hi Julie. Your finished canvas looks great! I go through similar trials sometimes.
Hi Julie. Your finished canvas looks great! I go through similar trials sometimes.
Hi Julie. Your finished canvas looks great! I go through similar trials sometimes.
This is one of my favorite so far. I love the abstract direction!
This is one of my favorite so far. I love the abstract direction!
This is one of my favorite so far. I love the abstract direction!
This is one of my favorite so far. I love the abstract direction!
This is one of my favorite so far. I love the abstract direction!
Bravo!! Great motivation to not give up on a piece. Love the final canvas!
Bravo!! Great motivation to not give up on a piece. Love the final canvas!
Bravo!! Great motivation to not give up on a piece. Love the final canvas!
Bravo!! Great motivation to not give up on a piece. Love the final canvas!
Bravo!! Great motivation to not give up on a piece. Love the final canvas!
I think this is one of your best. Thanks for showing us all of the steps and sharing the angst that went along with creation.
I think this is one of your best. Thanks for showing us all of the steps and sharing the angst that went along with creation.
I think this is one of your best. Thanks for showing us all of the steps and sharing the angst that went along with creation.
I think this is one of your best. Thanks for showing us all of the steps and sharing the angst that went along with creation.
I think this is one of your best. Thanks for showing us all of the steps and sharing the angst that went along with creation.
I bought that splatter brush a long time ago and then returned it. Seeing the effects makes me think I need to buy it and give it a go!
I bought that splatter brush a long time ago and then returned it. Seeing the effects makes me think I need to buy it and give it a go!
I bought that splatter brush a long time ago and then returned it. Seeing the effects makes me think I need to buy it and give it a go!
I bought that splatter brush a long time ago and then returned it. Seeing the effects makes me think I need to buy it and give it a go!
I bought that splatter brush a long time ago and then returned it. Seeing the effects makes me think I need to buy it and give it a go!
Absolutely love the final canvas. Thanks for sharing your process.
Absolutely love the final canvas. Thanks for sharing your process.
Absolutely love the final canvas. Thanks for sharing your process.
Absolutely love the final canvas. Thanks for sharing your process.
Absolutely love the final canvas. Thanks for sharing your process.
I love seeing yor process and the end result. I can see your struggle and how exciting it is to work through!
I love seeing yor process and the end result. I can see your struggle and how exciting it is to work through!
I love seeing yor process and the end result. I can see your struggle and how exciting it is to work through!
I love seeing yor process and the end result. I can see your struggle and how exciting it is to work through!
I love seeing yor process and the end result. I can see your struggle and how exciting it is to work through!
Like it much better with the circles on it. Gives it a focal point.
Like it much better with the circles on it. Gives it a focal point.
Like it much better with the circles on it. Gives it a focal point.
Like it much better with the circles on it. Gives it a focal point.
Like it much better with the circles on it. Gives it a focal point.
I love this last version Julie! You rock!
I love this last version Julie! You rock!
I love this last version Julie! You rock!
I love this last version Julie! You rock!
I love this last version Julie! You rock!
Julie, I really truly love this piece and seeing your process of painting over another painting! Find myself doing that lately.
Julie, I really truly love this piece and seeing your process of painting over another painting! Find myself doing that lately.
Julie, I really truly love this piece and seeing your process of painting over another painting! Find myself doing that lately.
Julie, I really truly love this piece and seeing your process of painting over another painting! Find myself doing that lately.
Julie, I really truly love this piece and seeing your process of painting over another painting! Find myself doing that lately.
I love how authentic you are….and I love the final piece!
I love how authentic you are….and I love the final piece!
I love how authentic you are….and I love the final piece!
I love how authentic you are….and I love the final piece!
I love how authentic you are….and I love the final piece!
What a feast of colorful eye candy you have in your home! Love that last one too.
What a feast of colorful eye candy you have in your home! Love that last one too.
What a feast of colorful eye candy you have in your home! Love that last one too.
What a feast of colorful eye candy you have in your home! Love that last one too.
What a feast of colorful eye candy you have in your home! Love that last one too.