Hello out there!  I'm changing up the way I do the Around Here posts.  I'll be answering the same set of "questions" each month and we will see how life evolves over time. I hope you enjoy the new format!

This is me right now:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My current art obsession is: layering patterns on patterns on patterns.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My current life obsession is: cooking recipes from skinnytaste.com.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017
I'm loving: being home.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

I'm hating: the snow.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My home is: messy.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My life is: full.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017

My favorite art project I made this month but haven't shown on the blog yet: a super awesome floating panda.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: February 2017
Wait until you see the tutorial for this mysterious object — it's coming soon and it's quick and easy!

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. If you'd like to see more behind-the-scenes life stuff, check out my vlog:

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.

84 thoughts on “Around Here: February 2017

  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format – love your vlog – thank you for your continued inspiration to create art!

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • Love the new format. I enjoy your weekly vlog. I think your home looks very inviting. Always wondered, are you a big coffee drinker?

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • What a cool gift to have the whole family at Canyon Ranch! Your mom is the best. I love her home as well….beautiful! Thanks for sharing the skinnytaste.com. You are the best Julie. Love your vlogs, seeing your art travel bag that was a visual treat as well. Thank you so much for all that you contribute. I love being able to experience a glimpse into the art museum shows, etc. as well.THANK YOU! I am so grateful for you and your mom!

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • Julie, I love watching your vlogs. I love that you and your mother and brother are so close. my mom and I were not that close, but we did do a lot of sewing, crafts, and craft shows together. those are good memories. and I love seeing all the things you do that I would never get to see myself. please keep vloging, I look forward to it and thanks so much for sharing of yourself and your talent.

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • HI Julie,
    I enjoyed your blog very much. I am not familiar with the Canyon place that you went too. Holistic healing is very relaxing and very nice. I do not know if you had a Reiki session but if you did then you should of had a real treat.
    There is something that has been on my mind since yesterday. You are so ready my friend. So ready to have your artist work featured at a gallery. Your paintings are ready. I think it is time now for you to be hosted at a gallery. Show all your creativity including your craft journals and cards etc. I do not know if you already have done this. If you have I would think it was very successful.
    The painting over your coach is a beautiful piece. I actually like that one more then the ones yesterday. With that said they too are done beautifully. The colors are what really stand out to me.
    I think a local gallery in your area would be delighted to host you. I hope you think about this. I just think you are very ready to take that next step.
    This is all in my humble opinion.
    Yes I think we New Englanders are so sick of snow. Seems like spring here in my neck of the woods today.
    Happy Thursday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Love the new format and all that you share with “us”. You are such a creative inspiration for me. Thank you.

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I think the last time I saw you was on one of your books that I have – you are looking awesome, girl! Love the blog, will come back to see how it changes! I hate the snow too, but I love your giant canvases in your house!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • I love the thought “Practice Makes Habits”.
    Need to add that to the beginning of my journal.
    Really enjoyed your vlog.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Have both of the skinneytaste cookbooks. Love them, she could make cardboard taste wonderful. I very much enjoy both your blog and vlog. I know they require a lot of work and time. Thank you.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • I just think you are so great. Your creativity and style just makes me want to be more artsy and to just be me! Thanks for being such an inspiration.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • Another expression of your creativity! Changing with the times, rolling with the punches. And you’re not changing your brand (you’ve developed that so well) but you’re creating a new avenue of interest. Bravo!
    I don’t know how I could not enjoy this, I enjoy everything you do. I am anxious to see where this brings us in the weeks and months to come.
    You have a beautiful home, and “moving with you” from NYC to Boston, I feel like we’ve settled in with you.

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • What wonderful painting on your walls, love them. x

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • thanks for sharing, liking the new format!

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply
  • That panda is just adorable and I like the new format.

    Reply

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