Design

Painting of the Week | Arctic Trees

July 25, 2014

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Three weeks ago, I posted a #tbt of this oil painting I did a few years ago–even before I got married (hence the signature with my maiden name)! I received a couple emails asking if there would be prints available and since it just hangs at my parents house, I said why not!? So, this painting now available in 4 print sizes here.

On last week’s painting, one commenter remarked that my paintings are looking all alike! And I couldn’t argue with him. I can only take so many commissions a month (commissions take more time) and so many people have been requesting paintings similar to what I have painted in the past. If my commission spots are filled for the month, I usually say, “Look for a new painting Friday!” And then, they’re usually snatched up pretty quick. It’s a hard balance–to paint what I want and to paint what I know will sell.

I like to think my painting is like seasons. It changes in time. There was a period I was painting a lot of homes and landscapes. Sometimes I paint people, or dive into gesture drawings. I’ve done ceramics. I used to be obsessed with weird florals. I tried watercolors–meh. There was the chalkboard season. For the last while, I’ve been into abstracts. This painting is wintry, yes. But it also defines a season in my life. And I look forward to what each season brings–something new, I always hope. Thanks for letting me share this little hobby of mine.

Again, you can purchase prints of this one here. Happy Weekend!

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What do you think?

  1. Amber says:

    Julia, As this painting was done so long ago I am sure that you don’t remember where you got the inspiration. It is a photograph that fondly recall being displayed in my grandparent’s house. I just wanted to point it out to you in case you didn’t recall where you got the original inspiration as I didn’t note a reference to it in the post. It was in the The Yellowstone: The Last Best River edition of National Geographic.

    • Jessica says:

      Wow, the resemblance is uncanny.

    • Amber says:

      I failed to mention the photographer it was taken by Annie Griffiths Belt.

    • Julia says:

      Okay. I am kind of baffled/laughing. I know I painted from a reference photo, but I assumed it was my teacher’s! We live just an hour from Yellowstone and she had a bunch of Yellowstone photos. This one was in the mix but not in magazine form. I have hundreds and hundreds of National Geographics, I am going to see if I can find it! Thanks for letting me know.

      • Leigh says:

        I believe I tracked it down it was in the National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs. If you look on page 66 you should see it.

  2. melissa says:

    you are not shipping in Europe anymore, that’s right?
    too bad, I really wanted this one :-(

  3. Victoria says:

    I would love for you to continue posting your vast portfolio of work, and making prints available to us. I have one rare print of this that I think you did in an actual print-making class. It’s almost a stamp of this? It’s been hanging in my home, prominently for 10 years. And every time I move into a new space, it’s one of the first pieces I put up. It does have an ethereal and peaceful vibe to it.

  4. Meagan Briggs says:

    This painting totally reminds me of our time in Rexburg! I miss winter, and I’m thinking we need a painting like this in our Florida home! Heck, Ellie hasn’t even seen snow yet, and Brinley “thinks” she remembers snow.

  5. Emma says:

    Julia, I love that you embrace the “seasons” of your work as I think some (me esp!) get caught up in presenting the “current me” and keeping a personal brand the same same same while in reality everyone evolves and builds as a person and artist.

    What I love about your work (and art in general) is that your abstract work really appeals to me but then there’s a piece here and there that just make my heart sing (Night Fishing for me which hangs in our guest room). Your pieces emote and the feelings they conjure are different for each. Thanks for bringing that heart singing to our home!

  6. I love your paintings! And while some might say the abstracts are alike, I see them as completely different from one another. And there is something extra special about Night Fishing – something about the color combo (and maybe even the name) that bring great memories to the forefront for me :) Happy Friday!!

  7. Hilary says:

    This painting is beautiful, as all of your paintings have been. And while the comment from last week was not precisely rude, it was a bit abrupt. I think that your recent paintings have been similar in style, but when you look at them side by side you could never say they are all the same. And I think that many artists (possibly most artists) go through seasons in their art. My husband and I shop for an original piece of art every few years and when you go to an art gallery it is generally very easy to see where all the pieces by one artist are. While the pieces do not look exactly the same, they are usually similar is subject matter, colour palette and brushwork. Anyway, keep up the good work!

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