I was absolutely delighted and honored when Tim Holtz asked me to participate in the Ranger Designer Challenge this year. We were each given a Dina Wakley Media Board and a set of the new TIm Holtz Distress Crayons. Our only instructions were that it had to be vertical and it had to feature the Distress Crayons. This is what I came up with:
A number of people commented that this canvas didn't quite feel "like me." I don't know. I think I create in a number of different styles. But perhaps I'm wrong. What do you think? Does it feel like me?
Instead of paint splats I used tiny black rhinestones from my stash. They're so old that they didn't have adhesive on the back. I had to glue each one individually!
Stacks and stacks of foam adhesive went into making this project happen. I really wanted the butterflies to pop right off the canvas and into flight!
I even unearthed some black foam adhesive for my text. I don't think it means you can't see the foam adhesive, but it does make it slightly less obvious.
You can see all of the 2016 Ranger Designer Challenge projects here. I think it's amazing that you can give a bunch of artists the same exact product and get so many wildly different works of art in return — style, colors, themes, approach — all different and and all fascinating! I love the challenge of creating with a new-to-me product!
I will have an "Exploring Art Products" video on the Distress Crayons very soon!
Thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful piece and I love it. And since you asked, no, I would not have thought of you as the artist if asked.
Beautiful piece and I love it. And since you asked, no, I would not have thought of you as the artist if asked.
Beautiful piece and I love it. And since you asked, no, I would not have thought of you as the artist if asked.
Beautiful piece and I love it. And since you asked, no, I would not have thought of you as the artist if asked.
Beautiful piece and I love it. And since you asked, no, I would not have thought of you as the artist if asked.
Beautiful piece and I love it. And since you asked, no, I would not have thought of you as the artist if asked.
Beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
Love the colors and the butterflies. I think it looks likes your style. Thanks for sharing!
Love the colors and the butterflies. I think it looks likes your style. Thanks for sharing!
Love the colors and the butterflies. I think it looks likes your style. Thanks for sharing!
Love the colors and the butterflies. I think it looks likes your style. Thanks for sharing!
Love the colors and the butterflies. I think it looks likes your style. Thanks for sharing!
Love the colors and the butterflies. I think it looks likes your style. Thanks for sharing!
It’s imaginative. It’s bright and colorful. Of course it looks like you! I love that the butterflies are “escaping” from the negative shape.
It’s imaginative. It’s bright and colorful. Of course it looks like you! I love that the butterflies are “escaping” from the negative shape.
It’s imaginative. It’s bright and colorful. Of course it looks like you! I love that the butterflies are “escaping” from the negative shape.
It’s imaginative. It’s bright and colorful. Of course it looks like you! I love that the butterflies are “escaping” from the negative shape.
It’s imaginative. It’s bright and colorful. Of course it looks like you! I love that the butterflies are “escaping” from the negative shape.
It’s imaginative. It’s bright and colorful. Of course it looks like you! I love that the butterflies are “escaping” from the negative shape.
The idea is wonderful and imaginative. I like the idea of the butterflies escaping from the page. It is your style–don’t listen to those who are critical.
The idea is wonderful and imaginative. I like the idea of the butterflies escaping from the page. It is your style–don’t listen to those who are critical.
The idea is wonderful and imaginative. I like the idea of the butterflies escaping from the page. It is your style–don’t listen to those who are critical.
The idea is wonderful and imaginative. I like the idea of the butterflies escaping from the page. It is your style–don’t listen to those who are critical.
The idea is wonderful and imaginative. I like the idea of the butterflies escaping from the page. It is your style–don’t listen to those who are critical.
The idea is wonderful and imaginative. I like the idea of the butterflies escaping from the page. It is your style–don’t listen to those who are critical.
I tried to analyze why it feels different (as a regular follower of your blog and art) This canvas does not feel like you because there are few layers compared to your usual multilayered style. And perhaps it is too neat compared to your usual “messy” approach (i love love messy :)You always say you try to achieve interesting in your art as opposed to pretty. I guess this falls into the pretty category.Well of course there is nothing wrong with that. Thank you for sharing Julie 🙂
I tried to analyze why it feels different (as a regular follower of your blog and art) This canvas does not feel like you because there are few layers compared to your usual multilayered style. And perhaps it is too neat compared to your usual “messy” approach (i love love messy :)You always say you try to achieve interesting in your art as opposed to pretty. I guess this falls into the pretty category.Well of course there is nothing wrong with that. Thank you for sharing Julie 🙂
I tried to analyze why it feels different (as a regular follower of your blog and art) This canvas does not feel like you because there are few layers compared to your usual multilayered style. And perhaps it is too neat compared to your usual “messy” approach (i love love messy :)You always say you try to achieve interesting in your art as opposed to pretty. I guess this falls into the pretty category.Well of course there is nothing wrong with that. Thank you for sharing Julie 🙂
I tried to analyze why it feels different (as a regular follower of your blog and art) This canvas does not feel like you because there are few layers compared to your usual multilayered style. And perhaps it is too neat compared to your usual “messy” approach (i love love messy :)You always say you try to achieve interesting in your art as opposed to pretty. I guess this falls into the pretty category.Well of course there is nothing wrong with that. Thank you for sharing Julie 🙂
I tried to analyze why it feels different (as a regular follower of your blog and art) This canvas does not feel like you because there are few layers compared to your usual multilayered style. And perhaps it is too neat compared to your usual “messy” approach (i love love messy :)You always say you try to achieve interesting in your art as opposed to pretty. I guess this falls into the pretty category.Well of course there is nothing wrong with that. Thank you for sharing Julie 🙂
I tried to analyze why it feels different (as a regular follower of your blog and art) This canvas does not feel like you because there are few layers compared to your usual multilayered style. And perhaps it is too neat compared to your usual “messy” approach (i love love messy :)You always say you try to achieve interesting in your art as opposed to pretty. I guess this falls into the pretty category.Well of course there is nothing wrong with that. Thank you for sharing Julie 🙂
Love it! It IS you! Free and fanciful!
Love it! It IS you! Free and fanciful!
Love it! It IS you! Free and fanciful!
Love it! It IS you! Free and fanciful!
Love it! It IS you! Free and fanciful!
Love it! It IS you! Free and fanciful!
Love all the colours and that dramatic touch of black. The layered butterflies are great and I like that you used the negative too. I actually would have picked it out as yours – it has your joyful exuberant use of colour.
Love all the colours and that dramatic touch of black. The layered butterflies are great and I like that you used the negative too. I actually would have picked it out as yours – it has your joyful exuberant use of colour.
Love all the colours and that dramatic touch of black. The layered butterflies are great and I like that you used the negative too. I actually would have picked it out as yours – it has your joyful exuberant use of colour.
Love all the colours and that dramatic touch of black. The layered butterflies are great and I like that you used the negative too. I actually would have picked it out as yours – it has your joyful exuberant use of colour.
Love all the colours and that dramatic touch of black. The layered butterflies are great and I like that you used the negative too. I actually would have picked it out as yours – it has your joyful exuberant use of colour.
Love all the colours and that dramatic touch of black. The layered butterflies are great and I like that you used the negative too. I actually would have picked it out as yours – it has your joyful exuberant use of colour.
Nice use of foam to add pop and yes, the butterflies do fly out at me. It is a little different from what I’ve come to expect from you, but still “you”.
Nice use of foam to add pop and yes, the butterflies do fly out at me. It is a little different from what I’ve come to expect from you, but still “you”.
Nice use of foam to add pop and yes, the butterflies do fly out at me. It is a little different from what I’ve come to expect from you, but still “you”.
Nice use of foam to add pop and yes, the butterflies do fly out at me. It is a little different from what I’ve come to expect from you, but still “you”.
Nice use of foam to add pop and yes, the butterflies do fly out at me. It is a little different from what I’ve come to expect from you, but still “you”.
Nice use of foam to add pop and yes, the butterflies do fly out at me. It is a little different from what I’ve come to expect from you, but still “you”.
It doesn’t have all the layers and writing that we are used to. But you were not using paint!
All of the artists were subdued because of the choice of materials.
But they were great!
It doesn’t have all the layers and writing that we are used to. But you were not using paint!
All of the artists were subdued because of the choice of materials.
But they were great!
It doesn’t have all the layers and writing that we are used to. But you were not using paint!
All of the artists were subdued because of the choice of materials.
But they were great!
It doesn’t have all the layers and writing that we are used to. But you were not using paint!
All of the artists were subdued because of the choice of materials.
But they were great!
It doesn’t have all the layers and writing that we are used to. But you were not using paint!
All of the artists were subdued because of the choice of materials.
But they were great!
It doesn’t have all the layers and writing that we are used to. But you were not using paint!
All of the artists were subdued because of the choice of materials.
But they were great!
nice piece. since you asked, I think it’s a little brighter than what you usually do.
nice piece. since you asked, I think it’s a little brighter than what you usually do.
nice piece. since you asked, I think it’s a little brighter than what you usually do.
nice piece. since you asked, I think it’s a little brighter than what you usually do.
nice piece. since you asked, I think it’s a little brighter than what you usually do.
nice piece. since you asked, I think it’s a little brighter than what you usually do.
Beautiful Job!!The bright colors are you, but the design is “lighter” somehow – but I love it!!
Beautiful Job!!The bright colors are you, but the design is “lighter” somehow – but I love it!!
Beautiful Job!!The bright colors are you, but the design is “lighter” somehow – but I love it!!
Beautiful Job!!The bright colors are you, but the design is “lighter” somehow – but I love it!!
Beautiful Job!!The bright colors are you, but the design is “lighter” somehow – but I love it!!
Beautiful Job!!The bright colors are you, but the design is “lighter” somehow – but I love it!!
Your handwriting element would have given it away, but there are no faces. After reading your historical art journal journey, your design seems more like a “Retro Julie”. Love the flight pattern. Keep on creating, girl. You just brought a bit of sunny spring to this frigid week in Philadelphia area.
Your handwriting element would have given it away, but there are no faces. After reading your historical art journal journey, your design seems more like a “Retro Julie”. Love the flight pattern. Keep on creating, girl. You just brought a bit of sunny spring to this frigid week in Philadelphia area.
Your handwriting element would have given it away, but there are no faces. After reading your historical art journal journey, your design seems more like a “Retro Julie”. Love the flight pattern. Keep on creating, girl. You just brought a bit of sunny spring to this frigid week in Philadelphia area.
Your handwriting element would have given it away, but there are no faces. After reading your historical art journal journey, your design seems more like a “Retro Julie”. Love the flight pattern. Keep on creating, girl. You just brought a bit of sunny spring to this frigid week in Philadelphia area.
Your handwriting element would have given it away, but there are no faces. After reading your historical art journal journey, your design seems more like a “Retro Julie”. Love the flight pattern. Keep on creating, girl. You just brought a bit of sunny spring to this frigid week in Philadelphia area.
Your handwriting element would have given it away, but there are no faces. After reading your historical art journal journey, your design seems more like a “Retro Julie”. Love the flight pattern. Keep on creating, girl. You just brought a bit of sunny spring to this frigid week in Philadelphia area.
It’s totally you, just a different medium. Colorful and abstract.
It’s totally you, just a different medium. Colorful and abstract.
It’s totally you, just a different medium. Colorful and abstract.
It’s totally you, just a different medium. Colorful and abstract.
It’s totally you, just a different medium. Colorful and abstract.
It’s totally you, just a different medium. Colorful and abstract.
This piece does have your signature high color contrast and bright colors. It even has that bit of black . . . . No, it doesn’t totally look like “you,” but it still is you.
This piece does have your signature high color contrast and bright colors. It even has that bit of black . . . . No, it doesn’t totally look like “you,” but it still is you.
This piece does have your signature high color contrast and bright colors. It even has that bit of black . . . . No, it doesn’t totally look like “you,” but it still is you.
This piece does have your signature high color contrast and bright colors. It even has that bit of black . . . . No, it doesn’t totally look like “you,” but it still is you.
This piece does have your signature high color contrast and bright colors. It even has that bit of black . . . . No, it doesn’t totally look like “you,” but it still is you.
This piece does have your signature high color contrast and bright colors. It even has that bit of black . . . . No, it doesn’t totally look like “you,” but it still is you.
Having so many different works is great, indeed. I agree that this piece has your signature and reflects that part of you that is so colourful and lively. Other pieces reflect other parts of you.
Having so many different works is great, indeed. I agree that this piece has your signature and reflects that part of you that is so colourful and lively. Other pieces reflect other parts of you.
Having so many different works is great, indeed. I agree that this piece has your signature and reflects that part of you that is so colourful and lively. Other pieces reflect other parts of you.
Having so many different works is great, indeed. I agree that this piece has your signature and reflects that part of you that is so colourful and lively. Other pieces reflect other parts of you.
Having so many different works is great, indeed. I agree that this piece has your signature and reflects that part of you that is so colourful and lively. Other pieces reflect other parts of you.
Having so many different works is great, indeed. I agree that this piece has your signature and reflects that part of you that is so colourful and lively. Other pieces reflect other parts of you.
If I was shown all the designer challenge submissions without names attached, I would have absolutely picked this one out as yours. There is less black and of course, no faces to mark that part of your style, but this is joyful, colorful and full of life, and two sizes of stencils…so definitely your style. And a juxtaposition of two unrelated images…butterflies and what could be orange slices or film reels (I haven’t seen the name of the actual stencil, and who knows about film reels any more?)
Keep making joy!
If I was shown all the designer challenge submissions without names attached, I would have absolutely picked this one out as yours. There is less black and of course, no faces to mark that part of your style, but this is joyful, colorful and full of life, and two sizes of stencils…so definitely your style. And a juxtaposition of two unrelated images…butterflies and what could be orange slices or film reels (I haven’t seen the name of the actual stencil, and who knows about film reels any more?)
Keep making joy!
If I was shown all the designer challenge submissions without names attached, I would have absolutely picked this one out as yours. There is less black and of course, no faces to mark that part of your style, but this is joyful, colorful and full of life, and two sizes of stencils…so definitely your style. And a juxtaposition of two unrelated images…butterflies and what could be orange slices or film reels (I haven’t seen the name of the actual stencil, and who knows about film reels any more?)
Keep making joy!
If I was shown all the designer challenge submissions without names attached, I would have absolutely picked this one out as yours. There is less black and of course, no faces to mark that part of your style, but this is joyful, colorful and full of life, and two sizes of stencils…so definitely your style. And a juxtaposition of two unrelated images…butterflies and what could be orange slices or film reels (I haven’t seen the name of the actual stencil, and who knows about film reels any more?)
Keep making joy!
If I was shown all the designer challenge submissions without names attached, I would have absolutely picked this one out as yours. There is less black and of course, no faces to mark that part of your style, but this is joyful, colorful and full of life, and two sizes of stencils…so definitely your style. And a juxtaposition of two unrelated images…butterflies and what could be orange slices or film reels (I haven’t seen the name of the actual stencil, and who knows about film reels any more?)
Keep making joy!
If I was shown all the designer challenge submissions without names attached, I would have absolutely picked this one out as yours. There is less black and of course, no faces to mark that part of your style, but this is joyful, colorful and full of life, and two sizes of stencils…so definitely your style. And a juxtaposition of two unrelated images…butterflies and what could be orange slices or film reels (I haven’t seen the name of the actual stencil, and who knows about film reels any more?)
Keep making joy!
Looking forward to the crayons demo! I have them on my “must have” list, after watching Tim use them at CHA. Right now having fun trying to decide how you used the crayons on this piece–stencils, for sure! I think the reason folks say it isn’t “you” may be because you don’t usually have such rigidly defined areas (as in rectangles) of warm and cool colors. But the choices of color and stencil certainly are “you!”
Looking forward to the crayons demo! I have them on my “must have” list, after watching Tim use them at CHA. Right now having fun trying to decide how you used the crayons on this piece–stencils, for sure! I think the reason folks say it isn’t “you” may be because you don’t usually have such rigidly defined areas (as in rectangles) of warm and cool colors. But the choices of color and stencil certainly are “you!”
Looking forward to the crayons demo! I have them on my “must have” list, after watching Tim use them at CHA. Right now having fun trying to decide how you used the crayons on this piece–stencils, for sure! I think the reason folks say it isn’t “you” may be because you don’t usually have such rigidly defined areas (as in rectangles) of warm and cool colors. But the choices of color and stencil certainly are “you!”
Looking forward to the crayons demo! I have them on my “must have” list, after watching Tim use them at CHA. Right now having fun trying to decide how you used the crayons on this piece–stencils, for sure! I think the reason folks say it isn’t “you” may be because you don’t usually have such rigidly defined areas (as in rectangles) of warm and cool colors. But the choices of color and stencil certainly are “you!”
Looking forward to the crayons demo! I have them on my “must have” list, after watching Tim use them at CHA. Right now having fun trying to decide how you used the crayons on this piece–stencils, for sure! I think the reason folks say it isn’t “you” may be because you don’t usually have such rigidly defined areas (as in rectangles) of warm and cool colors. But the choices of color and stencil certainly are “you!”
Looking forward to the crayons demo! I have them on my “must have” list, after watching Tim use them at CHA. Right now having fun trying to decide how you used the crayons on this piece–stencils, for sure! I think the reason folks say it isn’t “you” may be because you don’t usually have such rigidly defined areas (as in rectangles) of warm and cool colors. But the choices of color and stencil certainly are “you!”
I love this. I’ve been following you for years and have seen you thru many different “styles.” Heaven forbid we would have to creat the same way for each project. I enjoy seeing you try so many different ways of creating. Vive la difference.
I love this. I’ve been following you for years and have seen you thru many different “styles.” Heaven forbid we would have to creat the same way for each project. I enjoy seeing you try so many different ways of creating. Vive la difference.
I love this. I’ve been following you for years and have seen you thru many different “styles.” Heaven forbid we would have to creat the same way for each project. I enjoy seeing you try so many different ways of creating. Vive la difference.
I love this. I’ve been following you for years and have seen you thru many different “styles.” Heaven forbid we would have to creat the same way for each project. I enjoy seeing you try so many different ways of creating. Vive la difference.
I love this. I’ve been following you for years and have seen you thru many different “styles.” Heaven forbid we would have to creat the same way for each project. I enjoy seeing you try so many different ways of creating. Vive la difference.
I love this. I’ve been following you for years and have seen you thru many different “styles.” Heaven forbid we would have to creat the same way for each project. I enjoy seeing you try so many different ways of creating. Vive la difference.
It looks like you because you make everything look AMAZING!
It looks like you because you make everything look AMAZING!
It looks like you because you make everything look AMAZING!
It looks like you because you make everything look AMAZING!
It looks like you because you make everything look AMAZING!
It looks like you because you make everything look AMAZING!
I don’t agree, I think it’s all you in that canvas, I love it 🙂
I don’t agree, I think it’s all you in that canvas, I love it 🙂
I don’t agree, I think it’s all you in that canvas, I love it 🙂
I don’t agree, I think it’s all you in that canvas, I love it 🙂
I don’t agree, I think it’s all you in that canvas, I love it 🙂
I don’t agree, I think it’s all you in that canvas, I love it 🙂
So colorful and beautiful!!!!
So colorful and beautiful!!!!
So colorful and beautiful!!!!
So colorful and beautiful!!!!
So colorful and beautiful!!!!
So colorful and beautiful!!!!
I definitely see your finger print on this piece! Beautiful!!!
I definitely see your finger print on this piece! Beautiful!!!
I definitely see your finger print on this piece! Beautiful!!!
I definitely see your finger print on this piece! Beautiful!!!
I definitely see your finger print on this piece! Beautiful!!!
I definitely see your finger print on this piece! Beautiful!!!
i think its good to go ‘outside’ of you… once in a while … as an artist it helps give you new perspective and inspiration. Rock on.
i think its good to go ‘outside’ of you… once in a while … as an artist it helps give you new perspective and inspiration. Rock on.
i think its good to go ‘outside’ of you… once in a while … as an artist it helps give you new perspective and inspiration. Rock on.
i think its good to go ‘outside’ of you… once in a while … as an artist it helps give you new perspective and inspiration. Rock on.
i think its good to go ‘outside’ of you… once in a while … as an artist it helps give you new perspective and inspiration. Rock on.
i think its good to go ‘outside’ of you… once in a while … as an artist it helps give you new perspective and inspiration. Rock on.
Popped over from Ranger’s post to tell you how much I like this piece. Love the butterflies escaping from the background.
Popped over from Ranger’s post to tell you how much I like this piece. Love the butterflies escaping from the background.
Popped over from Ranger’s post to tell you how much I like this piece. Love the butterflies escaping from the background.
Popped over from Ranger’s post to tell you how much I like this piece. Love the butterflies escaping from the background.
Popped over from Ranger’s post to tell you how much I like this piece. Love the butterflies escaping from the background.
Popped over from Ranger’s post to tell you how much I like this piece. Love the butterflies escaping from the background.