Thanks so much for all of your titles and story interpretations on yesterday's post! I read all the comments with much joy. And you made me see things in the painting that I hadn't previously noticed. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And now to today's post…
Today is the fourth Second Floor challenge! Are you ready to take it to the second floor? What does that mean? It means trying something vastly out of your comfort zone. Doing something that might not work. Experimenting with a crazy idea. It's all about pushing yourself. If it works, awesome. If it doesn't work, awesome!
The challenge this time around is to create something inspired by circles. Whatever that means to you or however it inspires you. The prompt is simply meant to get you started. The level of challenge you aim for is entirely internal and up to you.
Click here to see what Nat did.
As for me, I had a bit of a paint party!
Just a friendly PSA: If you protect your surfaces, you can paint anywhere and it will make you feel a bit more free as you work. We have a tiny dining nook in our apartment. I push the table out of the way and cover it with an old painty tablecloth. Then I cover the floor with a drop cloth. This way I can paint freely and never have to think about if I'm making too big a mess. (Though I will admit that I have caught my husband's golf clubs — see the case, standing in the corner — with a splash of paint before. Shhhh. I don't think he's noticed.)
I started with some circles…
…and then built it up into something kind of abstract and whimsical:
It's kind of cool AND it contains one of my all-time favorite motifs: a pie chart. But I wanted to take this painting to the Second Floor.
So I took a deep breath.
And I painted in a figure.
And I'm so very glad that I did.
I call this painting "Boy with Green Tie." A very classical title for a very un-classical painting.
Taking the risk of "ruining" the previous painting was so worth it because this painting is super close to what I envisioned in my head. And that happens very rarely — at least to me.
Here's what I'm taking away from this challenge:
- Even when I'm not going for realistic, I create more interesting faces when I work from a photograph of an actual person rather than my imagination.
- Keep going. It's a lesson I learn over and over and over again. Maybe I'm not that smart because it is a lesson that I just keep needing to learn and that I'm trying to internalize. I get scared every time a painting doesn't look good. Keep going. I get scared when I have an idea and I'm not sure if it's going to work and I don't want to ruin what I have. Keep going. I think "keep going" is becoming quite a mantra of mine.
- I played more with mixing my own colors rather than going straight from the paint tube every time. I like it. I think the colors are more complicated and interesting. Must do more of that.
- I need more brushes. I feel like I have a thousand brushes, yet never the one I seem to be looking for. Guess this means I have to go to the art supply store. Oh, well. It's a tough life….
- I want to explore this kind of painting a lot more. A lot more. Something is jangling inside my head and ideas are just starting to roll in. I feel like I'm at the very tip of the iceberg. There's something more, something really exciting to me, something mysterious at the end of this tunnel and I am bound and determined to discover it!
Finally, I thought you might like to see the painting hanging in my apartment:
If you'd like to leave a link showing off what you did in response to this challenge, here's the linky list:
Thanks for stopping by!
Funny thing is that I loved the first one and then felt like you changed it too much and by the last one I just loved that and saw that it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t kept going!
Funny thing is that I loved the first one and then felt like you changed it too much and by the last one I just loved that and saw that it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t kept going!
Funny thing is that I loved the first one and then felt like you changed it too much and by the last one I just loved that and saw that it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t kept going!
Funny thing is that I loved the first one and then felt like you changed it too much and by the last one I just loved that and saw that it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t kept going!
Funny thing is that I loved the first one and then felt like you changed it too much and by the last one I just loved that and saw that it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t kept going!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this!!!!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this!!!!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this!!!!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this!!!!
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this!!!!
Love how you created the face-the vibrant red hair, the nontraditional use of colors to shade it, and the energy in him!
Love how you created the face-the vibrant red hair, the nontraditional use of colors to shade it, and the energy in him!
Love how you created the face-the vibrant red hair, the nontraditional use of colors to shade it, and the energy in him!
Love how you created the face-the vibrant red hair, the nontraditional use of colors to shade it, and the energy in him!
Love how you created the face-the vibrant red hair, the nontraditional use of colors to shade it, and the energy in him!
Wow, I love it, absolutely fantastic!!
Wow, I love it, absolutely fantastic!!
Wow, I love it, absolutely fantastic!!
Wow, I love it, absolutely fantastic!!
Wow, I love it, absolutely fantastic!!
Oh my Julie, this is awesome and would look absolutely incredible in my new studio *wink*wink*!
Oh my Julie, this is awesome and would look absolutely incredible in my new studio *wink*wink*!
Oh my Julie, this is awesome and would look absolutely incredible in my new studio *wink*wink*!
Oh my Julie, this is awesome and would look absolutely incredible in my new studio *wink*wink*!
Oh my Julie, this is awesome and would look absolutely incredible in my new studio *wink*wink*!
It’s relly beautiful, I totally love it !
It’s relly beautiful, I totally love it !
It’s relly beautiful, I totally love it !
It’s relly beautiful, I totally love it !
It’s relly beautiful, I totally love it !
… really … of course 🙂
… really … of course 🙂
… really … of course 🙂
… really … of course 🙂
… really … of course 🙂
Amazing transformation – the painting and you have formed a very interesting relationship! I just love how the turquoise color is the perfect undercolor and top layer for this piece.
Amazing transformation – the painting and you have formed a very interesting relationship! I just love how the turquoise color is the perfect undercolor and top layer for this piece.
Amazing transformation – the painting and you have formed a very interesting relationship! I just love how the turquoise color is the perfect undercolor and top layer for this piece.
Amazing transformation – the painting and you have formed a very interesting relationship! I just love how the turquoise color is the perfect undercolor and top layer for this piece.
Amazing transformation – the painting and you have formed a very interesting relationship! I just love how the turquoise color is the perfect undercolor and top layer for this piece.
wow! I really liked how you started with the blue and green. I kind of liked how you built it up (I liked the first one a lot!) but then was really amazed at what you did and how great your final painting looked. Your braveness amazes me most of all! Really good, Julie. I think a challenge like this is just what I need and i am going to step into it, thank you!!
wow! I really liked how you started with the blue and green. I kind of liked how you built it up (I liked the first one a lot!) but then was really amazed at what you did and how great your final painting looked. Your braveness amazes me most of all! Really good, Julie. I think a challenge like this is just what I need and i am going to step into it, thank you!!
wow! I really liked how you started with the blue and green. I kind of liked how you built it up (I liked the first one a lot!) but then was really amazed at what you did and how great your final painting looked. Your braveness amazes me most of all! Really good, Julie. I think a challenge like this is just what I need and i am going to step into it, thank you!!
wow! I really liked how you started with the blue and green. I kind of liked how you built it up (I liked the first one a lot!) but then was really amazed at what you did and how great your final painting looked. Your braveness amazes me most of all! Really good, Julie. I think a challenge like this is just what I need and i am going to step into it, thank you!!
wow! I really liked how you started with the blue and green. I kind of liked how you built it up (I liked the first one a lot!) but then was really amazed at what you did and how great your final painting looked. Your braveness amazes me most of all! Really good, Julie. I think a challenge like this is just what I need and i am going to step into it, thank you!!
First – I want YOUR story on yesterday’s piece. Then this piece today? Genius. This may be your signature style. Really see you and all the history of your journaling ETC but it is entirely a portrait in your style. Great piece.
First – I want YOUR story on yesterday’s piece. Then this piece today? Genius. This may be your signature style. Really see you and all the history of your journaling ETC but it is entirely a portrait in your style. Great piece.
First – I want YOUR story on yesterday’s piece. Then this piece today? Genius. This may be your signature style. Really see you and all the history of your journaling ETC but it is entirely a portrait in your style. Great piece.
First – I want YOUR story on yesterday’s piece. Then this piece today? Genius. This may be your signature style. Really see you and all the history of your journaling ETC but it is entirely a portrait in your style. Great piece.
First – I want YOUR story on yesterday’s piece. Then this piece today? Genius. This may be your signature style. Really see you and all the history of your journaling ETC but it is entirely a portrait in your style. Great piece.
Oh, the depth of all those painty, geometrical, abstract layers! I suppose it is the human attraction to our own facades, but I could get lost in the final portrait for hours! Each layer was so interesting in its own right, but the last, though larger areas have been masked (no pun intended) by the boy’s face and the white of the background draw me in, no, inSIDE to look at each stroke! Brilliant!
Oh, the depth of all those painty, geometrical, abstract layers! I suppose it is the human attraction to our own facades, but I could get lost in the final portrait for hours! Each layer was so interesting in its own right, but the last, though larger areas have been masked (no pun intended) by the boy’s face and the white of the background draw me in, no, inSIDE to look at each stroke! Brilliant!
Oh, the depth of all those painty, geometrical, abstract layers! I suppose it is the human attraction to our own facades, but I could get lost in the final portrait for hours! Each layer was so interesting in its own right, but the last, though larger areas have been masked (no pun intended) by the boy’s face and the white of the background draw me in, no, inSIDE to look at each stroke! Brilliant!
Oh, the depth of all those painty, geometrical, abstract layers! I suppose it is the human attraction to our own facades, but I could get lost in the final portrait for hours! Each layer was so interesting in its own right, but the last, though larger areas have been masked (no pun intended) by the boy’s face and the white of the background draw me in, no, inSIDE to look at each stroke! Brilliant!
Oh, the depth of all those painty, geometrical, abstract layers! I suppose it is the human attraction to our own facades, but I could get lost in the final portrait for hours! Each layer was so interesting in its own right, but the last, though larger areas have been masked (no pun intended) by the boy’s face and the white of the background draw me in, no, inSIDE to look at each stroke! Brilliant!
Wow scary painting over the top of an already great picture, but it worked it is amazing!
Wow scary painting over the top of an already great picture, but it worked it is amazing!
Wow scary painting over the top of an already great picture, but it worked it is amazing!
Wow scary painting over the top of an already great picture, but it worked it is amazing!
Wow scary painting over the top of an already great picture, but it worked it is amazing!
julie, you have wowed me again with your process! 🙂
julie, you have wowed me again with your process! 🙂
julie, you have wowed me again with your process! 🙂
julie, you have wowed me again with your process! 🙂
julie, you have wowed me again with your process! 🙂
I liked all three stages of the painting and would’ve been happy with any of them. Thanks for letting us in on your process.
I liked all three stages of the painting and would’ve been happy with any of them. Thanks for letting us in on your process.
I liked all three stages of the painting and would’ve been happy with any of them. Thanks for letting us in on your process.
I liked all three stages of the painting and would’ve been happy with any of them. Thanks for letting us in on your process.
I liked all three stages of the painting and would’ve been happy with any of them. Thanks for letting us in on your process.
I love this idea of 2nd floor. I love how you show your stages and then share what the exercise taught you. So many times we don’t take the time to really internalize what a painting or process has taught us. I’m loving your forays into abstract art – the one a couple days ago from a painting you hated was SO excellent and I loved the texture and simplicity. You inspire me with every post – thanks SO much!
I love this idea of 2nd floor. I love how you show your stages and then share what the exercise taught you. So many times we don’t take the time to really internalize what a painting or process has taught us. I’m loving your forays into abstract art – the one a couple days ago from a painting you hated was SO excellent and I loved the texture and simplicity. You inspire me with every post – thanks SO much!
I love this idea of 2nd floor. I love how you show your stages and then share what the exercise taught you. So many times we don’t take the time to really internalize what a painting or process has taught us. I’m loving your forays into abstract art – the one a couple days ago from a painting you hated was SO excellent and I loved the texture and simplicity. You inspire me with every post – thanks SO much!
I love this idea of 2nd floor. I love how you show your stages and then share what the exercise taught you. So many times we don’t take the time to really internalize what a painting or process has taught us. I’m loving your forays into abstract art – the one a couple days ago from a painting you hated was SO excellent and I loved the texture and simplicity. You inspire me with every post – thanks SO much!
I love this idea of 2nd floor. I love how you show your stages and then share what the exercise taught you. So many times we don’t take the time to really internalize what a painting or process has taught us. I’m loving your forays into abstract art – the one a couple days ago from a painting you hated was SO excellent and I loved the texture and simplicity. You inspire me with every post – thanks SO much!
I have to admit I, too, really liked the first one, until you showed us the last one. I would have never thought to make a portrait out of circles, but it works! Are you going to share your story of yesterday’s piece???
I have to admit I, too, really liked the first one, until you showed us the last one. I would have never thought to make a portrait out of circles, but it works! Are you going to share your story of yesterday’s piece???
I have to admit I, too, really liked the first one, until you showed us the last one. I would have never thought to make a portrait out of circles, but it works! Are you going to share your story of yesterday’s piece???
I have to admit I, too, really liked the first one, until you showed us the last one. I would have never thought to make a portrait out of circles, but it works! Are you going to share your story of yesterday’s piece???
I have to admit I, too, really liked the first one, until you showed us the last one. I would have never thought to make a portrait out of circles, but it works! Are you going to share your story of yesterday’s piece???
ooh i love that you took a leap and it worked out beautifully… i think i am going to try a painting as well for this challenge. perfect because this week’s theme for my workshop is circles.. lots of circles today! 🙂
ooh i love that you took a leap and it worked out beautifully… i think i am going to try a painting as well for this challenge. perfect because this week’s theme for my workshop is circles.. lots of circles today! 🙂
ooh i love that you took a leap and it worked out beautifully… i think i am going to try a painting as well for this challenge. perfect because this week’s theme for my workshop is circles.. lots of circles today! 🙂
ooh i love that you took a leap and it worked out beautifully… i think i am going to try a painting as well for this challenge. perfect because this week’s theme for my workshop is circles.. lots of circles today! 🙂
ooh i love that you took a leap and it worked out beautifully… i think i am going to try a painting as well for this challenge. perfect because this week’s theme for my workshop is circles.. lots of circles today! 🙂
love the second floor on this piece! Approximately how long would you guess this work took from start to finish? That is often what keeps me from the “keep going” mentality because I think that somehow I should be done after a certain amount of time and that is just silly.
love the second floor on this piece! Approximately how long would you guess this work took from start to finish? That is often what keeps me from the “keep going” mentality because I think that somehow I should be done after a certain amount of time and that is just silly.
love the second floor on this piece! Approximately how long would you guess this work took from start to finish? That is often what keeps me from the “keep going” mentality because I think that somehow I should be done after a certain amount of time and that is just silly.
love the second floor on this piece! Approximately how long would you guess this work took from start to finish? That is often what keeps me from the “keep going” mentality because I think that somehow I should be done after a certain amount of time and that is just silly.
love the second floor on this piece! Approximately how long would you guess this work took from start to finish? That is often what keeps me from the “keep going” mentality because I think that somehow I should be done after a certain amount of time and that is just silly.
I’m a bit scary to paint faces myself… I think you are a very brave woman to paint a face over the previous painting. Wow! Your ‘keep going’ might be just the push I need to painting a figure/face even… will see if I can find some free time to try it this week(end?)… and I cover the table and floor in the same way you do. Hahaaa… I splashed on my (white) curtains once though (pink paint – can you believe it?!)
I’m a bit scary to paint faces myself… I think you are a very brave woman to paint a face over the previous painting. Wow! Your ‘keep going’ might be just the push I need to painting a figure/face even… will see if I can find some free time to try it this week(end?)… and I cover the table and floor in the same way you do. Hahaaa… I splashed on my (white) curtains once though (pink paint – can you believe it?!)
I’m a bit scary to paint faces myself… I think you are a very brave woman to paint a face over the previous painting. Wow! Your ‘keep going’ might be just the push I need to painting a figure/face even… will see if I can find some free time to try it this week(end?)… and I cover the table and floor in the same way you do. Hahaaa… I splashed on my (white) curtains once though (pink paint – can you believe it?!)
I’m a bit scary to paint faces myself… I think you are a very brave woman to paint a face over the previous painting. Wow! Your ‘keep going’ might be just the push I need to painting a figure/face even… will see if I can find some free time to try it this week(end?)… and I cover the table and floor in the same way you do. Hahaaa… I splashed on my (white) curtains once though (pink paint – can you believe it?!)
I’m a bit scary to paint faces myself… I think you are a very brave woman to paint a face over the previous painting. Wow! Your ‘keep going’ might be just the push I need to painting a figure/face even… will see if I can find some free time to try it this week(end?)… and I cover the table and floor in the same way you do. Hahaaa… I splashed on my (white) curtains once though (pink paint – can you believe it?!)
This is wonderful Julie! Man, I have to go out and buy a canvas now 🙂 Well, or I could try this in my Journal. I also noticed that you painted the tops of your Golden tubes – geez how obvious is that. I have most of mine laying down in an old cigar box so I can see what the colors are.
This is wonderful Julie! Man, I have to go out and buy a canvas now 🙂 Well, or I could try this in my Journal. I also noticed that you painted the tops of your Golden tubes – geez how obvious is that. I have most of mine laying down in an old cigar box so I can see what the colors are.
This is wonderful Julie! Man, I have to go out and buy a canvas now 🙂 Well, or I could try this in my Journal. I also noticed that you painted the tops of your Golden tubes – geez how obvious is that. I have most of mine laying down in an old cigar box so I can see what the colors are.
This is wonderful Julie! Man, I have to go out and buy a canvas now 🙂 Well, or I could try this in my Journal. I also noticed that you painted the tops of your Golden tubes – geez how obvious is that. I have most of mine laying down in an old cigar box so I can see what the colors are.
This is wonderful Julie! Man, I have to go out and buy a canvas now 🙂 Well, or I could try this in my Journal. I also noticed that you painted the tops of your Golden tubes – geez how obvious is that. I have most of mine laying down in an old cigar box so I can see what the colors are.
I really love the idea of a figure over an underpainting – your guys is a so cool and I love that you hung it in your own apartment!
BTW – Great article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors!
I really love the idea of a figure over an underpainting – your guys is a so cool and I love that you hung it in your own apartment!
BTW – Great article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors!
I really love the idea of a figure over an underpainting – your guys is a so cool and I love that you hung it in your own apartment!
BTW – Great article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors!
I really love the idea of a figure over an underpainting – your guys is a so cool and I love that you hung it in your own apartment!
BTW – Great article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors!
I really love the idea of a figure over an underpainting – your guys is a so cool and I love that you hung it in your own apartment!
BTW – Great article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors!
I have no idea. Some paintings take hours and others days or months. I agree with you that there is no amount of time that something should take. 🙂
I have no idea. Some paintings take hours and others days or months. I agree with you that there is no amount of time that something should take. 🙂
I have no idea. Some paintings take hours and others days or months. I agree with you that there is no amount of time that something should take. 🙂
I have no idea. Some paintings take hours and others days or months. I agree with you that there is no amount of time that something should take. 🙂
I have no idea. Some paintings take hours and others days or months. I agree with you that there is no amount of time that something should take. 🙂
Love the new man in your life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I thought I’d share . . . I posted about your challenge here and enjoyed the creative challenge with circles in mind. http://blog.artsyfindings.com/2012/05/15/a-little-creative-play.aspx
Enjoy your new addition! Lovely!!!
Love the new man in your life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I thought I’d share . . . I posted about your challenge here and enjoyed the creative challenge with circles in mind. http://blog.artsyfindings.com/2012/05/15/a-little-creative-play.aspx
Enjoy your new addition! Lovely!!!
Love the new man in your life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I thought I’d share . . . I posted about your challenge here and enjoyed the creative challenge with circles in mind. http://blog.artsyfindings.com/2012/05/15/a-little-creative-play.aspx
Enjoy your new addition! Lovely!!!
Love the new man in your life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I thought I’d share . . . I posted about your challenge here and enjoyed the creative challenge with circles in mind. http://blog.artsyfindings.com/2012/05/15/a-little-creative-play.aspx
Enjoy your new addition! Lovely!!!
Love the new man in your life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I thought I’d share . . . I posted about your challenge here and enjoyed the creative challenge with circles in mind. http://blog.artsyfindings.com/2012/05/15/a-little-creative-play.aspx
Enjoy your new addition! Lovely!!!
LOVE IT!!! sorry for yelling, but this is just fabulous.
LOVE IT!!! sorry for yelling, but this is just fabulous.
LOVE IT!!! sorry for yelling, but this is just fabulous.
LOVE IT!!! sorry for yelling, but this is just fabulous.
LOVE IT!!! sorry for yelling, but this is just fabulous.
Thanks for the fun challenge!
Here’s the link to mine:
http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/cherish-momentcr84fn542.html
Thanks for the fun challenge!
Here’s the link to mine:
http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/cherish-momentcr84fn542.html
Thanks for the fun challenge!
Here’s the link to mine:
http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/cherish-momentcr84fn542.html
Thanks for the fun challenge!
Here’s the link to mine:
http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/cherish-momentcr84fn542.html
Thanks for the fun challenge!
Here’s the link to mine:
http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/cherish-momentcr84fn542.html
Such fun to read your second floor posts – so much you can learn when you just try!
Such fun to read your second floor posts – so much you can learn when you just try!
Such fun to read your second floor posts – so much you can learn when you just try!
Such fun to read your second floor posts – so much you can learn when you just try!
Such fun to read your second floor posts – so much you can learn when you just try!
I know I’m late but the challenge inspire me this : http://lcqtcompany.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/10/24464357.html
and an other page that I still have to finish…soon…lol
Carol
I know I’m late but the challenge inspire me this : http://lcqtcompany.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/10/24464357.html
and an other page that I still have to finish…soon…lol
Carol
I know I’m late but the challenge inspire me this : http://lcqtcompany.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/10/24464357.html
and an other page that I still have to finish…soon…lol
Carol
I know I’m late but the challenge inspire me this : http://lcqtcompany.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/10/24464357.html
and an other page that I still have to finish…soon…lol
Carol
I know I’m late but the challenge inspire me this : http://lcqtcompany.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/10/24464357.html
and an other page that I still have to finish…soon…lol
Carol