Telling a Story with a Paint Brush

As an artist, I'm having a blast with this project that I recently started. It has been something in the back of my mind for some time and this week I took the initial step to actually start putting my idea to paper.   I know that I am just a few sketching into it but I really wanted to share some of the fun I am having.  I'm not sure if the end result will actually be a published children's storybook, but I am having fun illustrating what I hope will be at least a real keepsake for my grandchildren.  I have a lot of work to do since I currently have 6 amazing grandchildren all wanting their stories to be told.  

I'm just using watercolor and pen and ink to make these sketches.  I have no idea if this is the best medium to actually use to illustrate a story, but I feel I just have to get the ideas on paper and they can then be refined as I learn the correct processes.  It is going to be a learning experience for me but I'm feeling up to the challenge.  

With a real dog that is very much as big as a small pony, the inspiration for this story is not hard to come by.  I have all kinds of funny ideas about the problems and benefits that one wee little girl could face with such a large pet.  

When you are just a snip of a girl, taking your giant dog for a walk is more like a fun park thrill adventure than a chore.  

Sleeping can be a challenge when your bed dog is more like a bed HOG!

Tea parties can be very frustrating affair when one of the guests have such bad manners that knock over all the invited guests, break the table, step on your entrees and spill the party beverages.

CONSIDER LEAVING ME A COMMENT....I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

I promise to keep updating this blog as I come up with more and more pages to my story.  If you are interested in seeing more of my artwork, please click the gallery tab above or visit my webpage at julietownsendstudios.com

Don't Mess in my Creative Journal!

How do you stay creative in a world that is spiraling out of control?  How do you stay inspired and positive when negative forces abound and you feel as the world you have known, your way of life, and even your core values are daily assaulted?  Yet you know at the same time that you know have this gift and you feel called to somehow make a difference in the world by creating beauty and hopefully inspiring someone in the process.

I'm sure there are many answers that I can research that will offer suggestions on how to increase your creativity.  I can share with you that  one thing I have done this past month is start a CREATIVE JOURNAL.  I try to carry it with me everywhere I go so that I can jot down ideas or inspirations that I encounter.  Carrying the physical book with me gives me a constant reminder to look for inspiration in my day.  I also carry my Marjolein Bastin 2015 planner.  I love her beautiful work and seeing her artwork on every page helps my focus stay somewhat artistic when I am planning my day.   

I have been trying to keep a sketch journal for the past year but somehow the linear processes unique to my brain can't bring me to combine the two. (Remember I was an accountant for 30 years)  I actually have to stop here and make a confession at this point, but a few days ago I took notes in my creative journal while watching a YouTube video on using Photoshop and didn't like the messy appearance so I erased them and rewrote them in neater handwriting.  I just can't bring myself yet to make lists and notes next to a sketch I did earlier in the day.  How non-creative is that!  Maybe as I progress and let my art take over more and more of those neuron processes I can actually reach a place in my life that I am OKAY with messy creativity!

So let me share what is written on the first page of my journal....(actually to my horror I realized just now that I had penciled in estimated costs of some large projects I want to start around the house on the inside glued page.  There may be no hope for me....I may forever be a numbers person!)

THE REAL FIRST PAGE:

1.  My Words- "that it may give grace to those who hear"   Ephesians 4:29   Do I speak GRACE or GRIEF?

2. "People are Quick to Believe the Bad things they hear about Good people."

3. "What lies behind us and what lies before us is tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

As you can see, my creative thoughts are focused on the fact that I'm trying to emphasis first my words be positive.  I believe that Bible clearly teaches us that our words are powerful and while I don't believe in the ideology of  POSITIVE CONFESSION, I do believe that your words can bring life or death, healing or sickness, grace or grief to someone's life.

My take away today....1.)  Make a Creative Journal for yourself and 2.) Try to keep your words positive even if you feel like screaming and breaking things.  Your art will be better and your blood pressure will be lower.

More Cowbells!

I am so happy that I received word this morning from one of my cowbell collectors in Columbia Falls, Montana that these newest custom ordered cowbells are exactly what she had in mind.  With custom orders, you always have to worry that there might just be something they don't like or want changed.  Not the case with this order and so I'm going to be finishing these bells up with a coat of varnish and get them ready to put in a shipping box so they are ready to mail later this week.  

I am so blessed to have people who appreciate my artwork.  A quote from the collector herself just this morning says it all.  "I more than LOVE them Julie, I treasure your "souls" work ! You sing through your paintings and my special room is coming together quite nicely with your BELLS as my signature pieces! Such a peaceful place to be, am loving it, will send you photos when complete! Thank you once again for all your work and effort, I truly appreciate you! Love from Montana, Big Sky Country! Gateway to Glacier National Park! "

These make great gifts and are an affordable way to give art.  If you are interested in having a unique creation of your own, just contact me and I would be happy to discuss the design you have in mind.  I ship them anywhere in the continental US for only $65!

If you are interested in seeing my other works, please check out my website at JulieTownsendStudio.com

Hand Painted Cowbells

YOU GOT TO LOVE A BLUE RIBBON

This is me and my EXCITED face!  I was thrilled to find that my piece called "Edge of the Herd" took first place in the acrylic category at the Helldorado Art Show this past weekend.  This is a really nice western themed show that I have participated in for the past several years.  I just didn't think this small piece would receive any type of singling out or I would have done something with my hair!   

"Edge of the Herd" 1st place winner in the Acrylic category

To even add to my surprise, my entry called "Stories Around the Fire" also took second place.  I'm just tickled pink here.

"Stories Around the Fire" awarded 2nd place in the Acrylic category

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN TO PAINT BETTER...THEN TEACH!

I'm finding a great deal of satisfaction in sharing my art with a younger generation in the form of weekly lessons.  I'm always a little nervous before they come but once we get painting that hour just flies by.  Here is a little glimpse at my home studio and the space I have designated for students. I took this photo just last week of the brother and sister students that I have intently working on painting the details on their pink zinnias.  

I was once told by a veteran artist that you really learn a great deal about your own art work, style and technique when you take that step and begin teaching.  So not only are these kids learning from me, but they are teaching me and improving my skills at the same time.   A BONUS- Weekly lessons also keeps me motivated to keep my studio space clean and organized!  

My students painting chickadees and zinnias.

To check out more of my artwork, please visit my website at:  JulieTownsendStudio.com

Western Themed Art

My Newest Western Themed Pieces

Light'em Up- 12x12 Acrylic

This is a fun action filled piece inspired by a photo I saw shared by my artist friend who is the real life Marshall of Dodge City, Kansas.  There is just something about this red headed cowgirl, sitting high in the saddle,  reigns clutched in her teeth, six-shooters blazing that draws you into action of the scene.

It reminds me of the thrilling feeling I would get as a child when the beautiful and athletic cowgirls would fly past me with the American Flag flying proudly behind them and their strong horses kicking up the rodeo arena dirt with their powerful hoofs  as they circle the arena.  An exciting display in preparation for the singing of the National Anthem to soon follow.  Every summer this would be my memory as we would always travel to see the rodeo in Coffeyville, Kansas where my Uncle Dick Diveley would always sing the National Anthem.  To me that made him something of a celebrity in my young eyes!

"Edge of the Herd"- 10x20 Acrylic

The American Bison has always held a fascination for me.  I recall as a small child that as we traveled the 50 miles to my grandmother's house in Swedeborg, Missouri, we would pass a large property where  several of large beasts could often be seen from roadway.  

I was also raised on stories of my father's past professional rodeo days when he hung around with Buddy Heaton and his famous buffalo Grunter.  Several old newspaper clippings of my dad riding a buffalo during a rodeo event cover pages in the family album.  So for pretty much as long as I can remember, buffalo have been of real interest to me.  

This past summer I got to enjoy a close up encouter with a very large herd of buffalo we got to see while traveling near Jackson Hole Wyoming.  I have for some time wanted to paint a scene that reflects this American Treasure.  "Edge of the Herd" is the result of that experience

"Stories Around the Fire"- 16x20 Acrylic

There is just something about sitting around a nice fire with friends and a hot cup of coffee and with this piece I wanted to bring you along and stir up memories of your own campfire experiences.

I wanted this piece to portray the rendezvous of an old mountain man and his two cowboy companions.  You can see that the old man is sharing a story as his two companions listen intently. One sipping a cup of steaming hot coffee while the other cowboy holds a stick to poke the fire.   One look at this scene and you know that this old timer must have accumulated enough stories that he could easily keep you up all night listening to his adventures.

Art is a Family Affair

Being an artist is for me very much a family affair.  I'm so blessed to have the support of my husband and children with making my dreams a reality.  I couldn't do this without them.  My husband follows me to galleries and artshows, helping pack and unpack the truck, hang artwork or make a frame if I need with very little complaining.  

My children endure a constant barrage of photographs sent to their cell phones of my newest works in all steps of completion and are always my most energetic cheerleaders.  My adorable grandchildren actually have no memory of a time when grandma didn't paint and there wasn't a "STUDIO" in my home.  I LOVE IT!  Here is one of them modeling my most recent masterpiece!  This little guy would make any artwork look good.  I love that he comes into the studio and picks up a dry brush and pretends he is painting chickadees with grandma.  I can't wait to be able to give them painting lessons and spark that creativeness that I know is there.