Cre8te with friends ...

 

Cre8ting with friends

I enjoyed and afternoon of creative bliss with one of my best friends,
Soizic and her sweet little girls Jade and Chloe.  

Soizic brought over a lovely east indian lunch with fragrant lemon cookies for dessert.

Yummmmm! 

We sat in my living room eating,  laughing and catching up on the events of the day. 

Soon it was time for art making...

The girls wore pink art aprons and mama wore one too.

They created banners with their names for their rooms.

Children are so great at creative play.

They colored and cut out shapes

and glued sparkles, and flowers to their banners.

The result was truly amazing and beautiful.

I love creating with friends.    

Rainy Day Morning Art

It's been cold and rainy the last few days. I've been inspired to wake up early each morning before work to create for a moment. Sometimes I get into the groove and don't want to stop but that creates an excitement that I put into my work the next time we meet again in the studio. I have been in love with making my own stencils and making all kinds of patterns and shapes on the canvas. I focus on doing more of what I love. I use all the items in my studio I love. I dig to the bottom of drawers to art supplies intended for a long forgotten project and I use them in my art project.  I might only have 5 min or 10 min but I work quickly. I try not to think and analyze what I'm doing. 

I just do something, 

try something, 

make something 

and then 

I let it go.

Happy Valentine's Day: Meet the Valentines!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Here is a photo of my grandparents, Ralph Valentine and Thelma Loving on thier wedding day in the mid 1900's. My grandmother's family is from Lovingston,Virginia which is in the county that was made famous by ...the TV series "The Waltons". My grandmother loved Valentine's Day and poetry. She would spend hours creating Valentines from lace and bits a colored paper. Her poetry books where so precious, she kept them locked in a desk so my dad and his sister Elizabeth could not get into them when they were kids.

I LOVE Valentine's Day too... for the buzz and excitement and for what it means to my family.

So what ever you plan to do to day...make it special and hug someone extra tight .

Much love

Julie Valentine

For the Love of Layers - March 17, 2013

For the Love of Layers 
Sunday, March 17, 2013
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
A Work of Heart
2196 Lincoln Ave.
San Jose, California

Instructors    Julie Valentine & Andrea Chebeleu

Registration:   
Oh for the love of layers! One can not "fake" the luscious effect of layer upon layer of paints and papers in your art journal or on simple watercolor paper. These papers can be used in a variety of ways from jewelry to home decor.

In this workshop you will be lead through the process of layering paint, texture, tissues, ink, etc. to create a uniquely 20x30 "contact" sheet. The process creates a unique design that can be used in its original form or photographed/copied to be used in any a variety of ways.

Everyone will create something unique and leave with a 20x30 sheet covered with lovely layers.

What to Bring:   
We will provide everything you need, however feel free to bring stamps or mark making tools you love.

Registration:  
Registration is now closed

Juicy Soul Retreat: THE MOVIE!

My brilliant ANDY. helped me create this amazing video for those of you who would like a sneak peek into the signs and sounds of  our Juicy Soul Retreat. If you've never been or you want to remember the experience...here it is. 

We had fun working together to make this for you and it was fun reflecting on all the fun we have at these retreats. Big hugs !  Leave comments! I'd love to hear from you!

Juicy Soul Retreat is just around the corner ...

Rain is falling outside and I am thinking of all the lovely people that will be joining us for the Juicy Soul Retreat. It's been a big month. Lots of changes at work and with my peeps at home.  It will be good to break away from it all and just be creative in community.  I'm starting a new journal this month. Fresh clean pages. A gift from Andrea and her travels to Italy last year.  I've been waiting for a special occasion to begin in its pages and spill open. Today is the day and now is the hour.