Welcoming the New

Where did December go?  I realised I have taken a step away from blogging this past month.  It wasn't intentional but I am really glad for the space.  More so these past 2 weeks have seen Jules doing alot of reflecting and looking back on the year.  Having a book published in April, developing my first Jules Dolly workshop in May, going to Portugal to do Flora Bowleys' Bloom True workshop, which taught me such a different way to paint (you can read about it here, if you fancy). I got married in Gibraltar and that was such a highlight for me. (Go here if you'd like to nose in)  I tallied up that I have done 12 commissions this year, which is one a month - that ain't bad and I'm pretty chuffed. 

Lucy wasn't well in June, but thank goddess, she's doing really fine and taking all her herbal medication. 

Next year is in the planning.  I have been writing my course and will hopefully reveal this soon, it's something I'm collaborating with hubby.  Exciting.

I have 10 weeks to write my 2nd book 'Creating your First Ever CV in seven easy steps', that is going to mean the next few months of strict structure, which is good for me.  

Here are some of the highlights for me this year:-

We're now a scooter family!

Just received my book in the post from the publishers

My first Jules Dolly Art Workshop in May 

The 2nd Canvas 'depth' from Bloom True with Flora Bowley

The 1st Canvas 'thought bubbles'

Hubby2B

Getting thee wed in Gib

Honeymooning in Gib

Connect the Dots, my biggest canvas yet - 3ft x 2 ft

Me and My Maid of Honour

Will, me and stepdaughter Janelle

A gift to a friend and her hubby to commemorate their wedding day

The Lovely Lucelee

Continuing with my oracle project 

Recreating my art'heart space.

Learning to Knit!

Anyone want to see what I knit!?!?

And so now to say cheerio to 2011 - you were good, there were ups and downs but I'm growing and learning all the time and finding my 'soulful way' all the time.  Can't ask for much more.

Hello 2012.

It's good to see you.

Much love
Jules xxxx

Dibbling and Dabbling at my Painting

When I came back from Portugal after Flora Bowley's class I started another fairly big canvas.. (here's my paintings from this workshop). I dibbled and dabbled with different styles of putting on the paint - styles that Flora really encouraged us to use, to step out of our comfort zone and "get our paint on".   It has been about 5 weeks since I returned and every day (pretty much) I dabble with this painting.  It has transformed in front of me.  What once looked like a Koala bear, sometimes a Rabbit, has now, I believe, become a silhouette of a lady.  It's not quite there yet.  But as I dabble every night at my easel, which is in my bedroom looking out onto our garden, it tempts me to paint, even for just 20 minutes, to add another layer, to see a different take on it.  

Here's the process: 

I have perhaps missed a few photos of the process but you get the gist don't you?

I'm really loving her.

Here's my latest canvas in Jules Dolly Healing Stylee.

She's called: "It's all OK".

Happy Monday
Jules xx

Blooming Magical

I'm just gathering my self together to reflect on my trip to Estoril, Portugal.  

Where to start?  I'll start with the kitchen window as this just made me take a breath.... Oh to have windows that open inwards (why do they not do that in the UK? )   I was staying in a lovely Portuguese guest house apartment above Margarida's language school and it really was so charmingly lovely...  

I took the time before the workshop to write, journal, rest and recharge before Flora Bowley's Bloom True workshop, which took place in Margarida Alberty's  Art Studio.  

It was all just truly bloomingly lovely.  

Effortlessly, Flora coached us to not fear the blank canvas, to move with music and to begin by mark-making.  Such FUN.   I have never done anything like this before.  I have never been to an art class, nor have I painted 'large'.  She also planted the seed of non-attachment within a painting. What she meant by this was - to 'let go' within the painting and to not become attached to parts of the painting but to BE BOLD and MOVE forward as the painting constantly changes.  We were always turning the painting, to see what we could see, from another direction.  We also spent time looking back, from the other side of the room and this had a huge impact on me.  

In fact, it was quite an Aha Moment!

I reconnected with an urgency to paint and to have Flora's experience by my side, it was just wonderful.  We were only 9 in the class, so we had so many opportunities to watch her, ask her and just bathe in the lushness of her artistic flair.  

Changes to canvases were happening by the minute!

At the end of day one. Phew, that was some painting class.  

10am till 7pm

 

I began to see swirls and circles wherever I walked that night.  This was the local supermarket boarding.

Watching Flora paint was meditative, to say the least.

After 2 days, one of my canvases looked like this.  I would have liked to spend more time on this piece but I think I may leave her now and start on a new canvas, a much bigger one and just 'go for it'.  I love painting this way and I'm sure it will add to my Jules Dolly Art, but this releases another part of me that I never knew about!

My two finished pieces.  

Our group: (Margarida is taking the pictures) 

To complete the weekend, we went to a lovely Portuguese restaurant where we laughed and laughed (and enjoyed some sangria!)

I'm still floating and there's more for me to reflect upon, but I felt that I wanted to post my initial, raw, thoughts from the workshop in Portugal.  Thanks Flora, Thanks Margarida and Thank you creative spirits that were in the group.