This was another piece of experimentation with the needlework. I am having fun with combining all of the skills I have collected over the years. I am still working on the alchemy of these things -thinking of how I can combine these things into pieces that tell stories and draw you in, and have a mystery to be discovered.
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I have posted new work and added some new pieces to my store! The Gaia piece was donated to raise funds for the Changeling Artists Collective Audubon Society fund raiser – Can’t wait to send that out to the lucky winner!
I am already starting work on new pieces and to create a real experience for Illuxcon 2017!
Oil Painting – Coreopsis ©2017 Julia L Powell
Oil Painting – Gaia ©2017 Julia L Powell SOLD
Oil Painting – Fireflies ©2017 Julia L Powell
This painting has been an image that I keep coming back to. Sometimes a certain image just calls and calls until our skills catch up to the demands of the vision. Three years ago when I first worked on this piece I was so excited by what I achieved I actually cried with joy.
Fireflies Version One
This was a huge leap in growth and skill at the time. This was done in 2014 not long after I had been to the Illustration Master Class. I carried this around like my own personal Mona Lisa for over a year.
Then I decided I had to do this again. A larger better drawn and critiqued image. I was participating in an online critique group and they seriously helped me to improve this image until it was the strongest piece I had yet done. A solid and professional eye is invaluable in helping me develop my own judgement and I was so fortunate to have such good artists helping me with this! I decided to complete the painting for another project and again, I hit a whole new level of skill with this new version. It became my new and improved Mona Lisa.
Fireflies Version Two
Oh I am still very proud of this one! However I knew I wasn’t finishing it. This is a case where I got too attached to the place it was in and not having the courage to dive in and finish it. I have since done some truly lovely and ambitious pieces since this one and knew it was time to really do this piece justice.
I pulled it out, studied the color palette, studied my references, thought hard about what I wanted to achieve then gathered my courage, stuffed my ego in a box and chucked it in a corner…
Fireflies Version Three
And achieved what this piece had always intended to be. I can finally put this to rest. I still have so far to go – the wonderful thing about art is you never stop growing – but this is an achievement not just in skill, but in a changed attitude toward my work. The first version was a constant frustration and the tears I cried were mostly of relief that I finally got something to work. This final version was a joy because I now have a confidence, and mentor who is mercilessly encouraging, and three more years of practice and work under my belt.
Fireflies is finally home. I can move on now.
I am currently working on a piece for the Operation Gaia – an auction being hosted by the Changeling Artist Collective. The auction is a benefit for the National Audubon Society and I am honored to have been invited to participate. The auction will be taking place from January 20th to the 27th.
Please check out the link below and RSVP – you will have a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art by some of the top artists in the fantasy art field today. I can’t wait to reveal my own piece!
http://tinyurl.com/operationgaia-changeling
In another note – I finished a piece that was a complete departure from my usual work. My husband and I recently lost his mother and I found myself turning to older creative outlets to fill the sadness during her last days. Working with a needle and fabrics, to bring color with fibers and textures was something I always enjoyed. It was very calming and peaceful to work on this piece. I do hope it shows the hope and joy I felt while making it.
Mushroom Path