There is a NEW online workshop TODAY!

Click on the image to play the promo video.

8 Great Paintings is my latest workshop. This workshop teaches students of all levels to make EIGHT fantastic fine art paintings. There are so many techniques covering a wide variety of art! Some things you'l learn: Composition, color selection, color mixing, shading, collage, transfers....you'll learn everything shown in the 8 samples in beautiful HD video footage! My video is professionally edited- this class has a run time of over FIVE HOURS! That's 5 action packed hours too...I edit for content. You won't be watching paint dry for 5 hours. It's all learning!

Students get access to the instructor every day- all questions will be answered within 24 hours of being posted (baring any sort of natural disaster or emergency), UNLIMITED video plays, NO TIME LIMITS! I'm here any time you want to upload pictures of your class lessons for feedback too! It's all included.

There is a beautiful downloadable PDF for you to keep as a reference to class- that's included too!

Please make sure you have a high-speed internet connection and basic computer skills for class. If you can navigate something like facebook, you can navigate the classroom.

Your email address is required. Please enter the email address you would like to use for class in the Paypal box. Registration for my classes is a manual process. You will receive an email regarding your purchase within 24 hours. Please be sure to keep an eye on your spam folder too. If you do not hear from me within 24 hours, please contact me. Thank you!

Enter Your Class Email Address

The 8 Great Paintings Online Workshop Costs $68

All video content is available for you when your registration is complete. Instant Gratification- learn at your own pace!

Thankful Every Day..

12x12" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

We have been praying for those effected by the tragedy in Boston..and we are thankful that as I write this, the problem seems to be coming to an end for the people there.

I've had one hell of a marathon editing and preparation session for my new online workshop that debuts this Sunday. Will you be around to paint with me then? I'll post the workshop registration and details here on Sunday. Subscribe to my newsletter to get your news from The Land of Lost Luggage delivered right to your inbox.

I'm also on Facebook..would love to connect with you there too. Be sure to "like" a post of mine here and there so that my updates continue to show in your feed.

See you Sunday... it's going to be a fun and creative day!

Book Giveaway! Book Giveaway!

Tune in to Seth's blog, "The Altered Page" today to read his review of our new book...and to enter to win an autographed copy!

My 3rd Annual "Summer Of Giveaways" will be kicking off in June...mark your calendars and be sure to sign up for my newsletter...

Edit 05.05.13: the Summer of GIveaways has been cancelled.

...And don't forget to stop back here next Sunday! I'm feverishly uploading and compressing and writing a NEW online workshop....that is HUGE.

See you then....

PS- I am on Facebook daily here.

The Truth Is....

I have not been using my camera for fun time. It makes me sad to see the number of photographs taken this year drop to an all time low compared to years past. I'm forcing myself to set up studio lighting on my weekly rose bouquets to practice.

Last week I decided that I wanted the flowers on a gray background, and this week I think I like the bright white better. So the white stays (the same background, different camera settings)... but my transmitters stopped working. Sigh... always something...

For those of you keeping score at home, this one was actually taken with on-camera flash.. bounced off a white panel that Kate was holding high on the left..and another panel on the lower right to soften the shadow caused by the flash.. if the transmitters were working, I could have positioned the flash further away from the camera...much easier. I'll pick some up before next bouquet. Hope to see you then!

The Red Letter X

Friday. Butterfly.

Fading Memory; Mixed Media on Canvas 16x20"  Original for Sale $475 + Shipping if applicable.

Hey- where have you been? I've been on self-imposed work "lockdown" all week. This happens to me every time... I think of a new class, shoot the class, and then announce the date that the class will be ready... not taking into account anything else on my calendar. Next thing you know, you're stuck on the computer for HOURS editing HOURS of footage so that you can release the class on time.. Well.. The lockdown paid off, we will open on the 21st. 

I feel like I've had a lot of growth with my editing platforms (written, audio and video) and I think you're really going to notice a nice difference with the new workshop. Stop back by on the 21st to see me...will ya?

New Online Mega Workshop Opens April 21st.

The feedback from our book has been really fantastic...I am so happy. Don't forget you can download it today or have a copy shipped to you. See the book here. (Fading Memory (shown above) is featured on page 62.)

What I'm talking About....

My backyard is about to explode. 35 plants this year..some are first season...some are entering their 4th season... All the secret lotions, potions and hard work are paying off. I can't wait!

This year I got crazy and recorded and calculated when the blooms should be here... alternating plants and their prune times so that I should not be without blooms for the most part. Will see if my plans pay off....

The Draw.

San Jacinto mountains at sunset.

My family and I just returned from a stay in Indian Wells, CA. I've visited there a few times before and I have to say, it is one of my most favorite places to travel to. The art community is alive and thriving in the desert...it's magical. Yes...magical. I can't explain it. You have to go there to see for yourself.

Have I been here before? I mean in another life? Crap photo taken at night..but I couldn't pass up that color.

Chris and I had a book signing out there last night... and low and behold, when I walked in to see Chris's show (which was fantastic...of course), there is another neighboring show. Christina Lange had a glorious display of photography from none other than the Salton Sea! I've mentioned the Salton Sea before on the blog here...my friends know I am mysteriously mesmerized and attracted to that place... I can't explain the draw.. and as I spoke to Christina at length regarding the attraction mystery, she said that I was not alone...many people she speaks to also have that draw..  so what is it? I don't know.. But it's one of those places that I feel I want to go to every day... It's true. What do you do there? I just stare into the nothingness...and I don't know why. Christina has published a book on the Sea....you can see it here.

Indian Wells Golf Resort

So the draw.. what is it? Does it happen to you? I get this feeling..the feeling like I have been there before and that I need to be there more in 3 places... The neighborhood where I live (I also grew up here...my parents and childhood home are within walking distance), Manhattan and the desert. I'm curious to know your thoughts...

Untitled. Red.

New Shoes.

Not really... but the shoes equivalent to a painter I think. New brushes. I buy them in bulk once a year probably.. here are some of the new ones next to their retiring pals.

I buy my brushes here. Pictured is my favorite brush.

Today's Find:

Staples: $10

Coming Soon....

A new, online, project based workshop coming soon.............

Sunday Morning.

The color wheel we created for our book.

Woke up this morning to a nice surprise on Amazon: Our book is in stock and ready to ship!

My dedication: To all artists everywhere whose spirit and creativity have lifted mankind through the ages and especially my internet muses both seen and unseen who have guided me to the same noble purpose.

That means you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Click here to see the book.

We Have Paris.

"We Have Paris" 11x14" acrylic on canvas. Purchase Inquiries please contact, SDAI (619)236-0011 April 13-May 26.

I submitted three of my paintings for consideration into the 52nd Annual International Juried Exhibition at the San Diego Art Institute. Two of the works were my top two favorites ever and then I threw in this small painting. To my surprise, the top two favorites did not get in...only this small painting did. I was very surprised to say the least. 1200 entries were submitted, only 95 works will hang in the show. When the letters of rejection started to hit my email, I was already cheering myself up. Then, I found this good news...in my SPAM folder. The horror....

If you're in the area, join me on April 13th at 6pm for the opening gala.. I can't wait to see this show!

Oh hey....rumor has it that the book started shipping today! Happy weekend to you!

Signed prints of "We Have Paris" here.

Spring. Happy.

Outside my window...

This time last year I was in New York..... this time this year I am wishing I could go back for a visit. If only I could transport myself and eliminate the long plane ride...

Spring Break is coming up soon... I am enjoying my daily lunch break with my dog outside in the garden.. We eat a sandwich, drink Nespresso and play Words With Friends..

I'm filming a new class. That's right!  It will be out next month....I think you're going to like it.

I'm searching...for a new RSS subscription wrangler... Reader is leaving..I'm not going to socialize my RSS.. it bugs me so much. Everyone thinks everything you do needs to be broadcast somewhere. It's disgusting if you think about it.. I'm not joining Google+ or whatever they are trying to get us to convert to.. I left Linkedin months ago....but people still want to "connect" with me there. Heads up- I'm not there.

The book is doing so well....so grateful. it will be traveling to you soon if you already ordered a copy! They bumped up the shipping date! See you soon....hope you're enjoying the signs of Spring.

Stretching hurts..

On the left, my experiment. On the right: a page from the book "Masters of Fashion Illustration" by David Downton.

I purchased some fashion illustration books a few months ago.. not because I want to draw fashion (although it is really cool to look at) but because I am a little fascinated by the abstract portions of the drawings as well as watercolors.

Yah. Watercolor paint.

So, Julie....who hates drawing and has never drawn anything, jumps in and starts to attempt to draw fashion sketches and then paint them. In a class with a ton of talented illustrators no less... >gulp< I made about 12 drawings.. I threw some in the trash...I scribbled, I erased.. I am happy to report that I did see improvement in my sketches starting in about sketch #3.. progress. I was happy. Dude....I am no fashion illustrator.

So no...I am not going to start drawing ladies, or dresses...but I thought since I have an interest in fashion, slopping some watercolor on some dress sketches couldn't be so bad. Why the watercolor in the first place?

My inner voice...my voice.... is telling me to incorporate the watercolor into my acrylic work. How? Not sure.. but I know now that if my voice talks, I need to listen...

So the watercolors will stay out on the table... what's your voice telling you these days?

Yes. Sound City.

"Fragments"; 24x24" Mixed Media on stretched canvas. 

A couple of things to report from San Diego, CA...

First- stay tuned, I am beginning to post new art that I created for our book which is shipping soon! Hooray, Book! Click here to pre-order your copy. And thank you to everyone who has already ordered...it's a huge thrill to see the book hovering around  #1 and it isn't even released yet!

And now.....Sound City. Don't think this doesn't apply to you.. I am going to go out on a limb and say that since you are reading this blog, you're probably creative...and an artist..maybe even a photographer too... Oh yah? That's why I am going to mention this documentary.

I've said this before and it still rings true today. Dave Grohl's feelings about musicians and how he feels that they need to be able to read music and know their instruments inside and out....well....I feel that way too. 

Technology allows us to pretty much make a lot out of nothing...and pretty much, making a lot out of nothing to me means you are creating a whole lot of nothing. Make sense? 

See all those hip, cool, (cliche) photographs that look like they were taken in 1974..they all look the same...and know those consumers who pop over to the membership store, plop down X$ on a fancy-ish camera and then head home only to download free photoshop actions and call themselves photographers? They're booking clients... making money.. and I think ripping people off.

Why? Julie, don't be such a bitch... It's true. They don't know how to shoot outside of auto mode, they know nothing about the actions they are running...and god help them if they could run the same procedure manually in photoshop.. they see pictures on pinterest and pin them (don't get me started) and head outside to capture the same look that someone else created. Where is the creativity? Where is the TALENT in that?

It's fine for some people. Hear that? I said, it's FINE for some people. But I am not some people. I have drive..curiosity..and the urge to be BETTER every day.. So..that's what I am trying to say...if you want to be inspired....if you want to marvel in someone else's creativity...go watch the documentary. If you like music too..then that's a bonus.

Me? I'm cleaning my music library... APPRECIATING those artists who are unique...TALENTED and NOT putting junk into the mic and getting junk out.... the same way I want to shoot and paint as well. (That's shoot photos....not bullets... in case you were wondering.)

Sound City

How many times did Tom Petty say they played "Refugee" before they were happy with it?

How do you make art that comes from the soul?

What's your "click track"?

Does your art represent some sort of integrity or truth?

"Play arrangements over and over in a similar fashion....."

How. I think.

Somewhat early art journal pages created by me.

A really long time ago, in my fine jewelry days, when I was a young pup....a customer asked me a question I could not answer. I didn't know. Blank stare. The next morning, I enrolled in the Graduate Gemologist program at GIA. I couldn't stand not knowing something....and therefore I felt I needed to know e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Boom. Diplomas.

A similar "thing" happens to me when I make anything. Everything. I need to know how anything I do effects everything I am making... Fast forward to my time with paint.

I've only taken a couple of classes that were not with Chris Cozen.. those classes left my thirst for knowledge empty...and I don't think that the majority of the instructors understood that if they were telling me how to do something, that in order for me to do it, I needed to know WHY I was doing that or using this.... still with me? (Chris Cozen and I are very similar in our quest for understanding. We found that out when we met each other.)

That may not be how you process information, but it is how I do. I needed to know every technical attribute to the mediums and paints I was using...so I knew what to do with them. And I need to PRACTICE with them... a lot. When I first started painting, I made over 100 journal pages (and we're not talking 100 in one day...we're talking over the course of several months) in order to learn how to use paint. Once I was more comfortable with the paint, I moved into canvases and other projects..... I hardly ever journal any more.

When Chris and I started teaching together, we developed one gem of a course. That course is called, "Color: Beyond the Basics." This is no way a class on color theory..it's a class designed to teach you about YOUR paints, mediums and several exercises to help you understand what they can do for you. Once you have built that relationship with your art supplies, I suspect the following will happen to you: You will spend less money on art supplies because you will know what everything does for you and when Hot Pants new artist tells you something you "have to have", the lightbulb will come on and you will know of something you already own that will achieve the same purpose. Plus, You will have "Artist Confidence"... if you practice the work we give you, things will only get easier. It's true!

This is the true gem of online workshops that Chris and I recommend to every artist.. Yes, the remainder of our workshops can also be for true beginners...but we both agree that this class (click here to learn more) is the natural starting point for everyone.

People ask me over and over how to paint....this is it. Learn everything...practice everything... you can do it.

What do you think? What's your learning process like?

Restoration.

"Restoration" 24x36"; Mixed media on stretched canvas.

Spring toys with us.. it's 80 and clear and now 62 and overcast.. The roses are all budding...but it's not time for shorts yet.

Spent some time cleaning out my reader this afternoon. Flipboard makes me want to read blogs..on the iPad...do you have that app? I am weirded out by the super high number of blogs that are now defunct. What happened to everyone?

Hope you read my last post.. someone is going to win a book on Friday... lowest odds I have ever seen.... just sayin.........................

And the Judge Says.... Third and Fourth

Mixed media on paper, Feb. 2010

Well...I had a nice surprise... The San Diego Art Institute welcomes volunteers on juror night.. They help with bringing all of the submissions out of storage and onto the gallery floor for judging. I couldn't miss this.. I want to know all the ins and outs of gallery stuff, so my friend and I went down there.

We were told to hang back several feet from the Juror and not to distract him while he is judging. After all of the art was lined up, we watched from a distance to see if our pieces were selected for the next show.

I have been having trouble working on small format pieces for the one-foot show.. this month, I nailed it and finally got a 10x10 (Vintage Picnic) into the exhibition. For the regional show (works up to 8 feet) I have been getting in... so after he picked my 10x10, I was happy....I had no idea what was coming next.

On the floor, he walked over to my large piece (The Score) and looked at it for a long time.. I am sure it was only a few seconds, but it was the longest anyone has ever looked at one of my pieces (that I have seen). That's my thing.. I hang back on opening night and watch how people react to my art..people have not been stopping, but the jurors have been selecting my paintings.. so there is the dilemma..do I make things more interesting for the sake of people to look at them, or do I keep to my true self and just be happy to get into the shows? I am not sure... He walked off.

On his official route by the piece, I got an orange sticker. The Score was selected to be in the Regional Show. Yay! After several more minutes of helping move paintings to and from storage, he stopped to chit chat with some people. I wanted to see who would win one of his four awards...

At the end of his conversation, he walked over to The Score without any hesitation and marked it "Juror's Choice". I tried to remain calm... my friend and I have a saying we share, "Act like you've been there before"..do you do that? I think it worked that night because I was a little stunned to tell you the truth. This was only my third time entering a show. (Three different jurors so far.)

So there it is...my first award. It's a thrill honestly...to be recognized by another artist is really special to me...

So that brings me to the updates:

SDAI Regional and One Foot Show now through April 7th, Balboa Park.

Acrylic Solutions (our book!!) ships around March 22!!

Get in the mood for our book with another book...come to my facebook for a chance to win "Acrylic Revolution". I have a copy I can ship to you if you're in the US.

edit: The Score is a 24x36" piece featured here.