I shared a photo of a recent painting with my Mother and she pointed out that I'm on a girl-in-the-garden kick. It had never occured to me. And when I started to look around, I realized that I may have been on this kick for a while, without consciously realizing it.
Evidence:
And now I have two more girl-in-the-garden paintings to add to my burgeoning collection:
(I'll share a little bit more about these two new paintings in tomorrow's post.)
It's really interesting for me to see all these paintings together and to start thinking of them as a series. Working in a series is great idea for lots of reasons:
- Provides you the opportunity to really explore a topic or subject.
- Allows you to hone your skills. Each project in the series drawing you closer and closer to the image in your head.
- Can help you push a single idea to its very limits and past any pre-conceived boundaries you may have erected.
- Brings a sense of continuity to your work.
- Allows you to focus on technique rather than subject matter.
- Pushes you to find new ways to capture the same image or idea.
- Forces you to explore the details of your chosen topic or object and discover what creates impact.
I'm sure there are a dozen more reasons too. I've often thought about working in a series, but I always thought it would be boring. I can see now that being a little bit more conscious about this series I'm already creating could really help me take my art to the next level.
My question for you is: Are you currently working a series (consciously or unconsciously)? I'd love to know what topic or subject you just keep coming back to.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love this idea and your paintings are awesome. My theme has been hearts for about a month and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. I keep finding ways to include them in everything. Thinking with spring coming flowers and spring time things will be taking place of my hearts.
I love this idea and your paintings are awesome. My theme has been hearts for about a month and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. I keep finding ways to include them in everything. Thinking with spring coming flowers and spring time things will be taking place of my hearts.
I love this idea and your paintings are awesome. My theme has been hearts for about a month and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. I keep finding ways to include them in everything. Thinking with spring coming flowers and spring time things will be taking place of my hearts.
I love this idea and your paintings are awesome. My theme has been hearts for about a month and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. I keep finding ways to include them in everything. Thinking with spring coming flowers and spring time things will be taking place of my hearts.
I love this idea and your paintings are awesome. My theme has been hearts for about a month and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. I keep finding ways to include them in everything. Thinking with spring coming flowers and spring time things will be taking place of my hearts.
Yup, I am. See my latest post about my collage series! 🙂
And wow, you’ve been very productive with your painting. It looks amazing!
Yup, I am. See my latest post about my collage series! 🙂
And wow, you’ve been very productive with your painting. It looks amazing!
Yup, I am. See my latest post about my collage series! 🙂
And wow, you’ve been very productive with your painting. It looks amazing!
Yup, I am. See my latest post about my collage series! 🙂
And wow, you’ve been very productive with your painting. It looks amazing!
Yup, I am. See my latest post about my collage series! 🙂
And wow, you’ve been very productive with your painting. It looks amazing!
Magnificent! I love to see them all together like this!! Do you sell your paintings? What is your plan for them for the future?? I think it would be great for you to have an exhibition – any thoughts on that one day? Yes I am going through a very mixed-media background series in my work for the last couple of months and also veering towards flowers – perhaps it is the constant images of looming Spring I come across on the internet daily – although I live in virtually perpetual Summer 🙂
Magnificent! I love to see them all together like this!! Do you sell your paintings? What is your plan for them for the future?? I think it would be great for you to have an exhibition – any thoughts on that one day? Yes I am going through a very mixed-media background series in my work for the last couple of months and also veering towards flowers – perhaps it is the constant images of looming Spring I come across on the internet daily – although I live in virtually perpetual Summer 🙂
Magnificent! I love to see them all together like this!! Do you sell your paintings? What is your plan for them for the future?? I think it would be great for you to have an exhibition – any thoughts on that one day? Yes I am going through a very mixed-media background series in my work for the last couple of months and also veering towards flowers – perhaps it is the constant images of looming Spring I come across on the internet daily – although I live in virtually perpetual Summer 🙂
Magnificent! I love to see them all together like this!! Do you sell your paintings? What is your plan for them for the future?? I think it would be great for you to have an exhibition – any thoughts on that one day? Yes I am going through a very mixed-media background series in my work for the last couple of months and also veering towards flowers – perhaps it is the constant images of looming Spring I come across on the internet daily – although I live in virtually perpetual Summer 🙂
Magnificent! I love to see them all together like this!! Do you sell your paintings? What is your plan for them for the future?? I think it would be great for you to have an exhibition – any thoughts on that one day? Yes I am going through a very mixed-media background series in my work for the last couple of months and also veering towards flowers – perhaps it is the constant images of looming Spring I come across on the internet daily – although I live in virtually perpetual Summer 🙂
love them all jen! hhhmmmmm refering to it as working in a series sure beats the heck out of what i always think – that i am stuck in a rut. perhaps i need to view it from this new perspective! tho i don’t usually work in a series with a topic so much. it is more likely to be a color scheme or a certain supply. right now two things seem to be blue and green color schemes and book pages. i swear i am obssessed with book pages. tho i do also have a thing about houses right now…
love them all jen! hhhmmmmm refering to it as working in a series sure beats the heck out of what i always think – that i am stuck in a rut. perhaps i need to view it from this new perspective! tho i don’t usually work in a series with a topic so much. it is more likely to be a color scheme or a certain supply. right now two things seem to be blue and green color schemes and book pages. i swear i am obssessed with book pages. tho i do also have a thing about houses right now…
love them all jen! hhhmmmmm refering to it as working in a series sure beats the heck out of what i always think – that i am stuck in a rut. perhaps i need to view it from this new perspective! tho i don’t usually work in a series with a topic so much. it is more likely to be a color scheme or a certain supply. right now two things seem to be blue and green color schemes and book pages. i swear i am obssessed with book pages. tho i do also have a thing about houses right now…
love them all jen! hhhmmmmm refering to it as working in a series sure beats the heck out of what i always think – that i am stuck in a rut. perhaps i need to view it from this new perspective! tho i don’t usually work in a series with a topic so much. it is more likely to be a color scheme or a certain supply. right now two things seem to be blue and green color schemes and book pages. i swear i am obssessed with book pages. tho i do also have a thing about houses right now…
love them all jen! hhhmmmmm refering to it as working in a series sure beats the heck out of what i always think – that i am stuck in a rut. perhaps i need to view it from this new perspective! tho i don’t usually work in a series with a topic so much. it is more likely to be a color scheme or a certain supply. right now two things seem to be blue and green color schemes and book pages. i swear i am obssessed with book pages. tho i do also have a thing about houses right now…
Loving the last 2 painting…it looks like you just exploded with color!
Loving the last 2 painting…it looks like you just exploded with color!
Loving the last 2 painting…it looks like you just exploded with color!
Loving the last 2 painting…it looks like you just exploded with color!
Loving the last 2 painting…it looks like you just exploded with color!
I especially like the girl who is hiding behind the flowers. Not sure if I’m working on a series at the moment. More like I’m just in love with using my stencils at the moment.
I especially like the girl who is hiding behind the flowers. Not sure if I’m working on a series at the moment. More like I’m just in love with using my stencils at the moment.
I especially like the girl who is hiding behind the flowers. Not sure if I’m working on a series at the moment. More like I’m just in love with using my stencils at the moment.
I especially like the girl who is hiding behind the flowers. Not sure if I’m working on a series at the moment. More like I’m just in love with using my stencils at the moment.
I especially like the girl who is hiding behind the flowers. Not sure if I’m working on a series at the moment. More like I’m just in love with using my stencils at the moment.
Love all of these but especially the one where the girl is hiding behind the flowers. It reminds me of sneaking up behind the flowers to scare my grandfather-:)
Love all of these but especially the one where the girl is hiding behind the flowers. It reminds me of sneaking up behind the flowers to scare my grandfather-:)
Love all of these but especially the one where the girl is hiding behind the flowers. It reminds me of sneaking up behind the flowers to scare my grandfather-:)
Love all of these but especially the one where the girl is hiding behind the flowers. It reminds me of sneaking up behind the flowers to scare my grandfather-:)
Love all of these but especially the one where the girl is hiding behind the flowers. It reminds me of sneaking up behind the flowers to scare my grandfather-:)
Love seeing all the girls in a series. I am working on a series of She Art Girls for an AJ. I am doing them on loose book pages and when they’re finished, I’ll bind them together. I like your reason “Brings a sense of continuity to your work.”. Hadn’t really thought of it that way, but it does. Thanks Julie, for sharing the girls in a series.
Love seeing all the girls in a series. I am working on a series of She Art Girls for an AJ. I am doing them on loose book pages and when they’re finished, I’ll bind them together. I like your reason “Brings a sense of continuity to your work.”. Hadn’t really thought of it that way, but it does. Thanks Julie, for sharing the girls in a series.
Love seeing all the girls in a series. I am working on a series of She Art Girls for an AJ. I am doing them on loose book pages and when they’re finished, I’ll bind them together. I like your reason “Brings a sense of continuity to your work.”. Hadn’t really thought of it that way, but it does. Thanks Julie, for sharing the girls in a series.
Love seeing all the girls in a series. I am working on a series of She Art Girls for an AJ. I am doing them on loose book pages and when they’re finished, I’ll bind them together. I like your reason “Brings a sense of continuity to your work.”. Hadn’t really thought of it that way, but it does. Thanks Julie, for sharing the girls in a series.
Love seeing all the girls in a series. I am working on a series of She Art Girls for an AJ. I am doing them on loose book pages and when they’re finished, I’ll bind them together. I like your reason “Brings a sense of continuity to your work.”. Hadn’t really thought of it that way, but it does. Thanks Julie, for sharing the girls in a series.
These are fantastic! Are they all on canvases? I haven’t even had the nerve to try faces yet!*LOL* I love your work and I love hearing about your Mom! 😀
I have no series going. I’m still trying to find my way in art journaling and enjoying the ride!!!! I love trying new techniques and styles.
These are fantastic! Are they all on canvases? I haven’t even had the nerve to try faces yet!*LOL* I love your work and I love hearing about your Mom! 😀
I have no series going. I’m still trying to find my way in art journaling and enjoying the ride!!!! I love trying new techniques and styles.
These are fantastic! Are they all on canvases? I haven’t even had the nerve to try faces yet!*LOL* I love your work and I love hearing about your Mom! 😀
I have no series going. I’m still trying to find my way in art journaling and enjoying the ride!!!! I love trying new techniques and styles.
These are fantastic! Are they all on canvases? I haven’t even had the nerve to try faces yet!*LOL* I love your work and I love hearing about your Mom! 😀
I have no series going. I’m still trying to find my way in art journaling and enjoying the ride!!!! I love trying new techniques and styles.
These are fantastic! Are they all on canvases? I haven’t even had the nerve to try faces yet!*LOL* I love your work and I love hearing about your Mom! 😀
I have no series going. I’m still trying to find my way in art journaling and enjoying the ride!!!! I love trying new techniques and styles.
I usually do work an idea to death or a color. LOL!Sometimes it just happens and sometimes its planned.
I usually do work an idea to death or a color. LOL!Sometimes it just happens and sometimes its planned.
I usually do work an idea to death or a color. LOL!Sometimes it just happens and sometimes its planned.
I usually do work an idea to death or a color. LOL!Sometimes it just happens and sometimes its planned.
I usually do work an idea to death or a color. LOL!Sometimes it just happens and sometimes its planned.
Isn’t it great to fully explore a thought & all the shades of endless meaning! May the force be with you!
Isn’t it great to fully explore a thought & all the shades of endless meaning! May the force be with you!
Isn’t it great to fully explore a thought & all the shades of endless meaning! May the force be with you!
Isn’t it great to fully explore a thought & all the shades of endless meaning! May the force be with you!
Isn’t it great to fully explore a thought & all the shades of endless meaning! May the force be with you!
wow, i can see how you’ve progressed with your ideas and techniques over time… the last two are my favorite, awesome use of color! really like the 2nd one too.
i don’t work in a series intentionally but i get into funks where i find something i really like so i keep repeating it, whether it be an idea, or a color, or something i painted, (like how all of these repeat the same leaf and flower designs) so all my pieces end up looking similar. right now i’m on an orange and gold spree
wow, i can see how you’ve progressed with your ideas and techniques over time… the last two are my favorite, awesome use of color! really like the 2nd one too.
i don’t work in a series intentionally but i get into funks where i find something i really like so i keep repeating it, whether it be an idea, or a color, or something i painted, (like how all of these repeat the same leaf and flower designs) so all my pieces end up looking similar. right now i’m on an orange and gold spree
wow, i can see how you’ve progressed with your ideas and techniques over time… the last two are my favorite, awesome use of color! really like the 2nd one too.
i don’t work in a series intentionally but i get into funks where i find something i really like so i keep repeating it, whether it be an idea, or a color, or something i painted, (like how all of these repeat the same leaf and flower designs) so all my pieces end up looking similar. right now i’m on an orange and gold spree
wow, i can see how you’ve progressed with your ideas and techniques over time… the last two are my favorite, awesome use of color! really like the 2nd one too.
i don’t work in a series intentionally but i get into funks where i find something i really like so i keep repeating it, whether it be an idea, or a color, or something i painted, (like how all of these repeat the same leaf and flower designs) so all my pieces end up looking similar. right now i’m on an orange and gold spree
wow, i can see how you’ve progressed with your ideas and techniques over time… the last two are my favorite, awesome use of color! really like the 2nd one too.
i don’t work in a series intentionally but i get into funks where i find something i really like so i keep repeating it, whether it be an idea, or a color, or something i painted, (like how all of these repeat the same leaf and flower designs) so all my pieces end up looking similar. right now i’m on an orange and gold spree
beautiful work! I think it’s your natural style, showing thru! I like doing series, as explorations and variations of a subject… but I always have trouble defining a particular style. It almost feels too constricting!
beautiful work! I think it’s your natural style, showing thru! I like doing series, as explorations and variations of a subject… but I always have trouble defining a particular style. It almost feels too constricting!
beautiful work! I think it’s your natural style, showing thru! I like doing series, as explorations and variations of a subject… but I always have trouble defining a particular style. It almost feels too constricting!
beautiful work! I think it’s your natural style, showing thru! I like doing series, as explorations and variations of a subject… but I always have trouble defining a particular style. It almost feels too constricting!
beautiful work! I think it’s your natural style, showing thru! I like doing series, as explorations and variations of a subject… but I always have trouble defining a particular style. It almost feels too constricting!
Julie!!! The next to last piece made my stop breathing! She literally spoke to me … wonderful goddess you created!
Julie!!! The next to last piece made my stop breathing! She literally spoke to me … wonderful goddess you created!
Julie!!! The next to last piece made my stop breathing! She literally spoke to me … wonderful goddess you created!
Julie!!! The next to last piece made my stop breathing! She literally spoke to me … wonderful goddess you created!
Julie!!! The next to last piece made my stop breathing! She literally spoke to me … wonderful goddess you created!
Hi Julie. I noticed that I always seem to gravitate towards the same colors…I try to be conscious of it and make a real effort to branch out and use different colors. I notice that I tend to “overuse” some products sometimes..LOL! Like a new stamp or punch or stencil. 🙂 And speaking of stencils, is there any ONE site that has ALL of your stencils?? I want so many!!! Thanks!
Hi Julie. I noticed that I always seem to gravitate towards the same colors…I try to be conscious of it and make a real effort to branch out and use different colors. I notice that I tend to “overuse” some products sometimes..LOL! Like a new stamp or punch or stencil. 🙂 And speaking of stencils, is there any ONE site that has ALL of your stencils?? I want so many!!! Thanks!
Hi Julie. I noticed that I always seem to gravitate towards the same colors…I try to be conscious of it and make a real effort to branch out and use different colors. I notice that I tend to “overuse” some products sometimes..LOL! Like a new stamp or punch or stencil. 🙂 And speaking of stencils, is there any ONE site that has ALL of your stencils?? I want so many!!! Thanks!
Hi Julie. I noticed that I always seem to gravitate towards the same colors…I try to be conscious of it and make a real effort to branch out and use different colors. I notice that I tend to “overuse” some products sometimes..LOL! Like a new stamp or punch or stencil. 🙂 And speaking of stencils, is there any ONE site that has ALL of your stencils?? I want so many!!! Thanks!
Hi Julie. I noticed that I always seem to gravitate towards the same colors…I try to be conscious of it and make a real effort to branch out and use different colors. I notice that I tend to “overuse” some products sometimes..LOL! Like a new stamp or punch or stencil. 🙂 And speaking of stencils, is there any ONE site that has ALL of your stencils?? I want so many!!! Thanks!
I too tend to work on an idea for a while, sometimes to resolve something and sometimes to push it further forward.
Your series by the way is wonderful!
I too tend to work on an idea for a while, sometimes to resolve something and sometimes to push it further forward.
Your series by the way is wonderful!
I too tend to work on an idea for a while, sometimes to resolve something and sometimes to push it further forward.
Your series by the way is wonderful!
I too tend to work on an idea for a while, sometimes to resolve something and sometimes to push it further forward.
Your series by the way is wonderful!
I too tend to work on an idea for a while, sometimes to resolve something and sometimes to push it further forward.
Your series by the way is wonderful!
Fascinating! If I did a series it would probably be leaves…falling leaves..during different seasons…and that would be fun to put on the living room wall!
Fascinating! If I did a series it would probably be leaves…falling leaves..during different seasons…and that would be fun to put on the living room wall!
Fascinating! If I did a series it would probably be leaves…falling leaves..during different seasons…and that would be fun to put on the living room wall!
Fascinating! If I did a series it would probably be leaves…falling leaves..during different seasons…and that would be fun to put on the living room wall!
Fascinating! If I did a series it would probably be leaves…falling leaves..during different seasons…and that would be fun to put on the living room wall!
Julie…all the garden ladies are fabulous! I love how they are all so different. My favorite one is the woman with the black and white border.
Julie…all the garden ladies are fabulous! I love how they are all so different. My favorite one is the woman with the black and white border.
Julie…all the garden ladies are fabulous! I love how they are all so different. My favorite one is the woman with the black and white border.
Julie…all the garden ladies are fabulous! I love how they are all so different. My favorite one is the woman with the black and white border.
Julie…all the garden ladies are fabulous! I love how they are all so different. My favorite one is the woman with the black and white border.
the woman peeking through the plants and the lady with the leaf wings and i don’t usually like wings. the whole picture pulls me in. i don’t do any of this stuff but i always check you out and i’m filled with wonder. i hope you don’t stop scrapbooking, that’s what i like to do and cards. i like to look at other stuff to open my mind to different than me. ruth
the woman peeking through the plants and the lady with the leaf wings and i don’t usually like wings. the whole picture pulls me in. i don’t do any of this stuff but i always check you out and i’m filled with wonder. i hope you don’t stop scrapbooking, that’s what i like to do and cards. i like to look at other stuff to open my mind to different than me. ruth
the woman peeking through the plants and the lady with the leaf wings and i don’t usually like wings. the whole picture pulls me in. i don’t do any of this stuff but i always check you out and i’m filled with wonder. i hope you don’t stop scrapbooking, that’s what i like to do and cards. i like to look at other stuff to open my mind to different than me. ruth
the woman peeking through the plants and the lady with the leaf wings and i don’t usually like wings. the whole picture pulls me in. i don’t do any of this stuff but i always check you out and i’m filled with wonder. i hope you don’t stop scrapbooking, that’s what i like to do and cards. i like to look at other stuff to open my mind to different than me. ruth
the woman peeking through the plants and the lady with the leaf wings and i don’t usually like wings. the whole picture pulls me in. i don’t do any of this stuff but i always check you out and i’m filled with wonder. i hope you don’t stop scrapbooking, that’s what i like to do and cards. i like to look at other stuff to open my mind to different than me. ruth
Both Scrapbook.com and BlueMoonScrapbooking.com ordered all the stencils. Some may be sold out, but those are two great places to look!
Both Scrapbook.com and BlueMoonScrapbooking.com ordered all the stencils. Some may be sold out, but those are two great places to look!
Both Scrapbook.com and BlueMoonScrapbooking.com ordered all the stencils. Some may be sold out, but those are two great places to look!
Both Scrapbook.com and BlueMoonScrapbooking.com ordered all the stencils. Some may be sold out, but those are two great places to look!
Both Scrapbook.com and BlueMoonScrapbooking.com ordered all the stencils. Some may be sold out, but those are two great places to look!
Yep, theyre all on canvas!
Yep, theyre all on canvas!
Yep, theyre all on canvas!
Yep, theyre all on canvas!
Yep, theyre all on canvas!
I dont sell my work. At least not yet. Maybe someday. And maybe someday an exhibition too. 🙂
I dont sell my work. At least not yet. Maybe someday. And maybe someday an exhibition too. 🙂
I dont sell my work. At least not yet. Maybe someday. And maybe someday an exhibition too. 🙂
I dont sell my work. At least not yet. Maybe someday. And maybe someday an exhibition too. 🙂
I dont sell my work. At least not yet. Maybe someday. And maybe someday an exhibition too. 🙂
Julie….love all of these….they look wonderful! I am working on a series of face collages…inspired by….YOU! I fell in love with the last project on your video….I think you used fabric. I’m using my hand painted papers…and having a ball! Thanks for your continued inspiration!
Julie….love all of these….they look wonderful! I am working on a series of face collages…inspired by….YOU! I fell in love with the last project on your video….I think you used fabric. I’m using my hand painted papers…and having a ball! Thanks for your continued inspiration!
Julie….love all of these….they look wonderful! I am working on a series of face collages…inspired by….YOU! I fell in love with the last project on your video….I think you used fabric. I’m using my hand painted papers…and having a ball! Thanks for your continued inspiration!
Julie….love all of these….they look wonderful! I am working on a series of face collages…inspired by….YOU! I fell in love with the last project on your video….I think you used fabric. I’m using my hand painted papers…and having a ball! Thanks for your continued inspiration!
Julie….love all of these….they look wonderful! I am working on a series of face collages…inspired by….YOU! I fell in love with the last project on your video….I think you used fabric. I’m using my hand painted papers…and having a ball! Thanks for your continued inspiration!