Welcome to Part 2: Unleashing Your Joy!
In Part 1, we went inward a bit, silencing the noise so that we could come up with our personal mantras. And now, in Part 2, we’re ready to unleash our joy on the canvas as we begin to paint our mantras into gorgeous paintings. I’m so excited.
My friend Lynx will be joining me as my on-air student and you’ll meet her in the welcome video below. You’re going to love having her a part of the videos, not just because she is delightful but because her canvases go in such different directions than mine that it will give you another perspective and more ideas on directions you can take with your own paintings.
Please watch the welcome video:
Pacing:
I encourage you to go through the lessons in order, from start to finish, as all the art lessons build upon each other as we move forward in the course. The demo lessons in this section are quite long and filled with all sorts of goodness. Each lesson includes several different sections, including a demo video (or two), supplies used, personal stories, faq’s, and so much more. They will take some time to work through, so please go at a pace that works for you! We’ll start off with simple painting techniques, building more and more layers as we go. Feel free to use whatever size canvases that you feel comfortable working on as we move along in the course. Make just one painting, or make 10. It’s totally up to you!
Videos:
I encourage you to watch the demo videos in full screen mode. You can do this by clicking on the four arrows at the bottom right of the screen. The videos mimic demos that I would do in an in-person workshop, so please feel free to work on your canvas as I work on mine, following right along with me as you watch the videos!
Photos:
In addition to the videos, each lesson is supplemented with tons of photos, giving you an alternate, close-up view of the the same techniques covered in the videos, but on different canvases.
Supplies:
Every lesson includes a list of supplies (with links!) that we used during in the video. I hope this is helpful to you in the event that you want to purchase the exact supply we used in the videos.
Let art out. Let love in.
In addition to sharing my techniques and process with you, I’ve included a section called “Let Art Out, Let Love In” in most of the lessons in Part 2. As I’ve made my way into the creative life, I’ve learned that the process of painting and creating art is one big giant playground in which to learn a ton of life’s lessons around healing, courage, imperfections, change, and so much more. Simply put, what comes up for us on the canvas also comes up for us in life, and when we’re willing to truly allow and surrender to the process of creating art, we inevitably let love in. I’ve captured the essence of those lessons in the “Let Art Out, Let Love In” sections. May they speak to your soul, and inspire you to consider how painting is so much more than just putting some paint on a canvas – that it’s a much deeper journey, an excavation of who we are and who we want to become.
Hello Soul, Hello Intention
Most of the lessons in Part 2 also include a section called “Hello Soul, Hello Intention.” I’ll share my personal intention for the lesson’s painting session – things like practice courage! allow the unfolding! be free! – and then I’ll invite you to do the same. I can’t tell you how important this piece is. It’s a time for us to get centered in our bodies and in our hearts before diving into our creative process.
“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso
“The chief object of education is not to learn things but to unlearn things.” – G.K. Chesterton
A big part of unleashing our joy will be accessing our inner child – that part of ourselves that was once willing to make bold moves and be fearlessly creative, before we learned that there were so-called rules to making art. She’s free, unconscious in her choices, extremely curious, open, and most of all she is having loads of fun splashing paint everywhere.
Here’s to unlearning and unleashing together! It’s going to be so much fun. So much.
XO, Kelly Rae
Im trying to find your Unleash Your Joy pocket mirrors. I love mine and want to buy for christmas gifts
Hi Pamela. We no longer make these, but you might be able to find them on Amazon or Ebay 🙂
Fun, fun, ready for some fun! 😀
I’m diving in!
I have been wanting to take this course ever since it came out. I am glad now I wanted
until now. I have spent a lot of time this past year learning more in mixed media and
establishing my skills in other areas. I really look forward to this process.
Yay!! Now to wait for my supplies to arrive!! 🙂
I am ready ! This is so true. Many times I can’t paint because I am always thinking on the final product. I don’t let myself get loose in the painting. I am ready to practice courage and let myself explore.
I hope you’re unleashing, Montse!!
I can’t wait to try out my new supplies and get messy! Yea!!!
Love the phrase, “be fearlessly creative” as that is what drew me to your artwork.
Can’t wait to begin this journey!
Thanks Julie! 🙂
You’re welcome, Lesa! Glad it gave you the go ahead for some soul enrichment! : )
I’ve just opened this door to play-time. I can’t start until next week because I am going to travel to be grandma for the weekend —maybe play doing drippies and smoothies with my 5 yr old grandson. Yea. BUT. Just to get in to the mood, as I went fabric shopping for an idea for a client, my little girl(inner child) moved me right over to the buttons and rick rac. OF Course. I bought some!!! I’m processing lots of ideas. Karlene. Kay Ryan
Just wanted to include a great quote:
“The primary benefit of practicing any art, whether well or badly, is that it enables one’s soul to grow.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Here’s to expanding in new, exciting and colorful ways!
Totally love this quote, Julie!
Dear Julie G,
Thanks for the great quote – I feel like I now have permission to practise making art ‘badly’ for the benefit of my soul!
Dear Kelly Rae,
I am loving every single part of this wonderful course so far! Thankyou so much! – I would love to reach through my screen during your fantastic videos and give both you and Lynx the biggest and warmest hugs! You are both such sweethearts! I finished gathering pretty much all of my supplies yesterday after a mammoth and frenzied shop at a craft store an hour’s drive away and so I am, as you often say, ALL IN! I haven’t felt this happy in the longest time (years in fact to be honest) and I have you to thank for that. As a side note, thankyou so much for sharing your little videos of your precious little boy True on your blog. You have an uncanny knack of posting these when I really need a pick-me-up and they work every single time. He is simply priceless and is just the embodiment of joy. They really are our best teachers aren’t they? I hope you are finding some time to relax and enjoy your beautiful family.
Oh this is going to be fun, cannot wait to get messy
I’m ready!!