Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Poinsettia



Poinsettia
6"x 6" oil on Raymar panel SOLD.

Artist Note
This was a demo done during the workshop
last week. 
My last workshop from my own studio. 
I had a great group of talented artists
who did some wonderful
fracturing work.
It is not easy to break up 
a perfectly nice piece of work and 
I know that, but, with some 
encouragement, it was very rewarding to see
them beam with pleasure when they finally
got it!
They all traveled many miles to attend
and I am grateful and honored
they chose to learn from me.

A personal chat.
I have mixed feelings about not hosting
any more workshops because
I really enjoy teaching and have met some 
amazing artists from Hawaii, Canada, 
South America, Mexico and all areas of the US,
but I selfishly want to have more time for 
my own development. 

When I started fracturing 9 years ago,
very few oil painters were into 
any form of the 
"create, destroy, rebuild"
school and it took time for me to find 
my own way of doing it.
 It took me even longer to 
show the public, and that was 8 years ago,
but, it became noticed
and I was asked to make a video 
for Daily Paintworks!!
I still am gobsmacked at how successful
it has been.

Fast forward to the present time.
I see many, many more 
"messy" paintings 
- as my husband calls them - 
and I am excited to be mainstream
where people are not asking me 
why my lines are not smooth!!
I want to push myself further
and see what develops.


38 comments:

  1. Love the top perspective and the not so smooth outlines. As you mentioned, selfish intention to grow is part of being human and I would love to see you pushing more and more boundaries. But when you feel like taking a break, you could offer the workshops.Just my humble and selfish suggestion, for I am truly dreaming of attending your workshop one lucky day!

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    1. I appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging reply, Padmaja. I guess i worded it wrong. It is only the workshops i am giving up. I will still be teaching at the Guild for three days a week. You can come visit and we can paint together!
      Love your new painting. I missed seeing your posts.

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  2. So hard to believe that it was 9 years ago that you started fracturing.... You're amazing using this technique which I never knew about until you started posting! If I had lived closer I would have definitely joined your workshop! Even though I work mostly in pastels, I would have enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing what's next!! Your Poinsettia is painted beautifully Julie....perfect for the Holidays!!!!

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    1. Love this comment, dear Hilda. I was working on fracturing well before i came out with it. It would come and go so i had to wait until it was consistent. Lots of fun. I want to say that your horse portrait is totally fabulous. You amaze!

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  3. Wow. Talk about leaping off the page.....gorgeous! I love the hybrid maroon and off white poinsettias that have appeared in recent years too.
    You are a natural born teacher Julie, but it's understandable why you would want more time for your own work. The planning and follow-up for workshops must take far more time than the actual workshop does.

    And you teach here! I've picked up so many wonderful tips and also did when we toured the gallery in Cannon Beach.

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    1. You are so good for my ego, Lauren. Thank you for this great complement and your understanding. I do love teaching but the workshops take an intense energy of focus - never mind the cleaning, preparing, etc. all takes time. Be good to just do my three days a week with the guild members. They are all proficient painters so it is fun and invigorating.
      Hope you are going to enjoy the season, Lauren.

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  4. Yay! And I can't wait to see what develops from your exploratory efforts! This poinsettia painting makes my heart go faster. It is truly warm and holiday-ish. Really a beauty!

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    1. Thanks, Carol. Happy you like it. Me too!! Hope you enjoy the season and all the warmth it brings.

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  5. Sounds as if this is an exciting crossroads for you, Julie. Maybe time to declare a "hiatus"from teaching? After all, you need not say "never" -- if you find you miss workshops, I'm sure you'll find an eager list of students will await you. I've noticed that several DPW artists who teach have taken a break from time to time, and I would imagine they return not only refreshed, but also with new techniques to share.

    A beautiful poinsettia, perfectly velvety.

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    1. I guess I worded it wrong. My regular job is teaching at the Guild and I will continue to do that. I will not be doing any more workshops which are very intense. My regular teaching is a joy. Most have them are in "same level" groups. I can plan on what is next level for all of them in class whereas a workshop accommodates all different levels and it is important to me to help on each level. Intense!
      The time I spend organizing and planning a workshop as well as teaching the workshop is NOW going to be a gift of time to myself.
      Love your new painting of the skier. Full of action. Beautifully painted.

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  6. You've certainly earned your time to grow dear Julie. Have no misgivings. I still love watching your video when I need inspiration so you have done your job well! Just don't stop posting!
    I'm well, clean bill of health, now to get painting. Hugs.

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    1. I am SOOOOO TRULY pleased you survived that awful health issue, Blanche. What a beautiful message you give me here. Bless you and thank you. We have been friends a long time now. and knowing you are well makes me very happy
      Nah...still will blog. Blessings.

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  7. such a vibrant red :D

    its not being selfish not teaching any more classes. its taking the time to do what you need to, focusing on yourself, not selfish at all!

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    1. I was raised in the old English tradition where you put everyone and everything ahead of oneself. Hard to not feel selfish but I do recognize it is self imposed and I am doing something about it. Will still be teaching regular classes. I like your colored pencil piece.

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    2. I have noticed that the English can be like that, not so much the younger generation though. The Scots are like bugger that :p

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  8. Bonjour chère Julie,

    parfois, il est bon de prendre une pause qui permet de mieux repartir ou de rebondir dans une autre direction. La vie est fait de chemins longs et courts où se croisent d'autres chemins.
    Peu importe celui qu'on emprunte, l'essentiel est d'être heureux de le parcourir.
    A l'aube de Noël, il est très agréable d'admirer cette belle peinture...
    Je vous souhaite de passer de très belles fêtes.

    Gros bisous 🌸

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    1. Thank you for your lovely words, dear Martine. I was admiring your beautiful small paintings. Such beautiful colors.

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  9. Your poinsettia is beautiful and I love the 'not smooth' lines LOL !

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    1. You have me smiling, Jane.
      Love the portait you just did. There is something very special about it.

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  10. Congratulations Julie for the very impressive work again !!!

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    1. How nice of you,Stelios, thank you. Love the feeling of distance you created in your new painting.

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  11. Dear Julie - I am so glad you shared this personal news. You so deserve the time to work and develop at your own pace. I love your fracturing technique. I can't wait to see what comes from this change. I know it will be gorgeous friend. Love your Poinsettia. Hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much, Debbie. I enjoyed reading your great post.
      It added so much to the enjoyment of visiting you. Have a blessed week.

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  12. I love your poinsettia. Really beautiful and vibrant.

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    1. Thanks Cora. I love your beautiful roses. Hope you do more.

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  13. Julie, I too enjoyed your video. Your poinsettia is lovely, I think it is a good thing you would like to continue working on your art.Enjoy painting and we will enjoy seeing your work. Have a great day.

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    1. Good to hear from you Joan. Thanks for the encouragement. Hope your show went well.

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  14. Sorry, Julie. I confused the issue by using the word "teaching" which made my comment unclear. I did understand you to mean you would give up only the organizing and hosting of workshops, but not your regular teaching work at the guild.
    So pleased you liked my skier -- a new subject for me.

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    1. Yes- loved the skier. Full of action. Not easy so I was impressed.
      Thanks for letting me know about the teaching! 😍

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  15. exciting introduction of beautiful drawing.
    have a great day

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    1. Thank you, Tanza. I was fascinated reading your post about the poisonous fish being delicious to eat.

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  16. Hi Julie, I did try to leave a comment it didn't take. All I had to say is that your work is not only brilliant but also very inspiring to me. I did purchase your video on fracturing, love it and still try to master the technique. Thank you for sharing. All the best to you. Joan

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    1. Thank you Joan for such a "feel good" message. made my day special. All the best back to you, my dear.

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  17. Julie, this is so lovely! Your method gives so much texture to your subjects. know feel it is time for a change and I know your students will miss these classes.

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    1. Hi Joan, have you taught your sketching techniques, yet? The way you sketch from anywhere and capture everything is an amazing feat. I applaud you.

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  18. Julie, thank you for the visit and reply. Yes, i was finally able to contact Joan.

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    1. I understand completely where you were coming from. Blogging friends are part of our lives and we do miss them when time passes with no post.

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  19. Merry Christmas Julie! Your work is beautiful and I loved reading about your fracturing method: "create, destroy, rebuild" because it focuses on the process. Those three words are so helpful to me because they are about discovery. When I get discouraged about "what" to paint, those 3 words remind me it is about "how" to paint. I wish you all the best on your painting path and in all else in the new year!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie