Guest Blog: Artist Paula Callejas "Painting a Diary of Emotions"

By Paula Callejas

This year was tough; it has been the hardest year of my life.  I´ve felt the deepest sadness, the most horrible void and I felt so lost…. And then someone said, “You paint right? Just paint”

And so I did. I didn´t study art, but I´ve painted all my life, enjoyed it all my life… I always regarded it as a hobby, as something extra I did… but I never thought about it as therapy; and I certainly never saw myself as a real artist.

Regardless, I followed the advice, and there I was painting midst my pain; and somehow I felt better. For some reason when I painted I was myself and everything took a brighter shade. I realized then that I wanted –no, needed- to paint every day, as much as I could.

So I grabbed a sketchbook, and had it next to me at all times, to write, to draw, to paint, to vent. At first I was a little blocked,so I started to follow simple prompts I found on instagram; little drawings…. And then I found the 100 day project. I saw it as a good way to commit to painting, to improve my skills, practice, get better.

It wasn’t a big risk, a daily  small watercolor painting,… but I did it and it felt great when I was done. I was on a roll and I had improved so much in so little time. It gave me a boost, and about three months later of painting and painting, in the month of September, I joined a challenge by Passion Color Joy in which we would create a piece of art continuously every day for the whole month.

In my case I decided to create paintings of women and connect them all by always having some flower present in the composition. (You can see them all under the hashtag #30girlswithflowers) This time I felt more confident specially because I felt different, I now feel my truth is that I am an artist; painting is my passion and if I want to be true to myself I have to pursue it.

So with this new found confidence I decided on a slightly bigger format and a different medium, I decided on more hours per piece per day; and this time I would show my work proudly.

by Paula Callejas

I found a local shop that agreed to hang my pictures daily as I pained them. It was so exciting to see them gradually fill the wall. And on the 30th day I stood in front of my project and was shocked. It was a diary… all of my emotions, all of my sadness, happiness, calmness, disdain or whatever was in their eyes. For everyone to see.

BY Paula Callejas

But I don’t care if my emotions are displayed. Now I feel proud and happy that I´m brave enough to display my pieces without having to “cure” my work , choosing my favorites or correcting my mistakes. And I feel whole and happy when someone connects to one of my pieces, appreciates the emotion and even more wants to take them home.

It´s crazy for me to admit that so much had to break, and that I needed so much pain to acknowledge my passion. To respect myself for who I am and what I love.

But it´s true: I don´t know if I would have ever pursued my passion if my life hadn´t crumbled before me; so I´m thankful for this really ugly year, and I´m really really thankful that I am an artist and I have my art to go to.

I´m thankful I get to put myself in a piece of art and that now I am brave enough to own it and show it to the world.

To find out more about Paula Callejas and see more of her work, you can find her on her website and Instagram. 

xoxo, Jen 

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A Picture Journey of the Painting “Take me to Your Sea Garden”

Im still not sure if this piece is finished! There is something urging me to “fill in this blank space.”

I actually don’t feel it as much when I look at it digitally but when I see it in person the craving is calling.

This is a lesson in patience and sitting “with”. Sometimes I launch into adding to a painting adding additional layers.

And while there are no mistakes, I sometimes wish I would take the new idea onto the next canvas.

Other times, and really most of the time, I’m happy that I followed the impulses because I will create something that has more depth than the original! 

Healing the Child Within

So I said I'd have a story regarding these watercolors that I posted a few pics back. They are from a very long time ago. I received them when I was a child, most likely early 90's, but they definitely seem older than that which makes them even cooler..retro! They were a part of a Christmas gift from a stranger, as were often many of our gifts because the local church would organize gift giving for needy families.

I always received art supplies as gifts because I was always creating as a child. It's where I didn't think. I could just be. I remember feeling really embarrassed and feeling a lot of shame receiving these gifts.

I always felt different and like I was living this secret life in a wealthy and middle class town. I realize now that this experience was not only something that I was powerless over, but that the shame was there because I felt there was something wrong with me and I felt pitied and pitied myself. I put these watercolors away, only from time to time seeing them as I moved and reorganized art supplies over the years.

I've had a revival and truly feel whole as I embrace myself as the artist, creator, and maker that I truly am which gives me so much joy. I'm so grateful that I've held onto them because now I have this meaningful story behind them.  I also see that what is my true essence can never be forgotten. It just wasn't the right time. Now that I've unburdened many layers of pain, my inner child and inner artist have been awakened.

I wish I saved the note that came with these watercolors,  but the memory will be forever embedded in my mind. It was very kind. I can picture now. A handwritten note that said they were used by a real artist and now they were being passed down to me.

I recently paid it forward in my own way. A teacher from an inner city school in Chicago asked me if I would send my art scraps to her and her students so they could make Valentines! 

I jumped at the opportunity and can’t wait to see what they make! Stay tuned for pics:) 

Do you want to fine tune your Inner Radar with crystal clear clarity for Love, Wealth + Freedom? My Free Start Up Guide Includes my 5 Star Process To Become the Intuitive Rockstar of your #5StarLife! This process transformed my life and is the foundation of everything I do in my life & biz! ⭐️🙌🏼👯‍♀️

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Reminders for being still

Sometimes it is really difficult to sit down, be still, and let our thoughts settle. Everything around us feels more important, urgent, and vital. Reminding ourselves that being still will actually open up space for a joy that is lasting can help us to refrain from buying into constant distraction. It allows us to actually see this constant distraction as a false and temporary idol of the love we really are and then really experience the love it is calling out for. 

Do you want to fine tune your Inner Radar with crystal clear clarity for Love, Wealth + Freedom? My Free Start Up Guide Includes my 5 Star Process To Become the Intuitive Rockstar of your #5StarLife! This process transformed my life and is the foundation of everything I do in my life & biz! ⭐️🙌🏼👯‍♀️

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A Mixed Media Painting from Beginning to End

Hi Friends!

I thought it would be fun to share a bit of the process I️ use to create mixed media paintings. This particular process blends acrylic painting layers with photo enhancement and digital design. 

Make sure to scroll all the way through to see the painting from beginning to end + my latest events:)

I hope you enjoy! 

Here is the original painting. It is done on a 9x12 cotton canvas. There are two layers of acrylic paint. The first layer was done months ago and you can see it showing through where the mint is in the middle. I then added a second layer this week that is very loose, free and painterly.

Next, I photographed the painting with my iPhone 6S. I opened the photo with the Snapseed App which I use for almost all of my photo editing. I increased the brightness, saturation, contrast and I cropped the photo so the outlines are nice and crisp. 

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sfO1mlqvnQ&w=640&h=480]

**WATCH VIDEO**  Next I took the saved photo from Snapseed and uploaded it to my procreate app that I have on my iPhone. You can watch the video to see how I ended up with this version of the painting. I loved this one and I posted it to Instagram, only to find that as the night went on I kept expanding the layers.

I really love it when I'm in the flow and feel inspired to keep adding more layers. It's interesting to me that being in my studio earlier that day, I was not feeling the flow.

I kept trying to go back in and paint but every time I did I noticed I didn't feel well and felt ungrounded!

This is why I love the procreate app. I felt much more grounded and inspired painting using it that day and it satisfied my creative juices!
 

Here's an additional version. I used a lot more softer strokes on the lefthand side and the smudging tool to give an ethereal look. I also added in some "digital" pencil and charcoal lines to create depth, texture and more movement. 

And this is where I stopped! I added in some more splatter to simulate the original splatter from the teal ink on the right side. You can see the splatter in cobalt blue on the left. I also added in some more white linework to highlight and add light to some areas. 

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THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Which one is your favorite? Could you notice the differences? Do you pay attention to how your body is feeling and listen to those nudges, trusting the process? 

While I really wanted to paint, I was pleasantly surprised that because I wasn't able to I used my digital app and created something completely unexpected. 

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Latest Events + Classes

If you want to learn more about how to use Procreate, you can join my free class here: FUN with PROCREATE


If you would like to expressively paint this season!
I have two options you can do from home:

12/8/17  Online Evening Workshop "Let Go with Acrylic Paint"

Nov-Dec Online 4 Week Course "Let Go with Acrylic Paint"

NJ Friends- I will be at Necessities Spa on Black Friday.

**Join me and several vendors for a fun day of relaxation!

 Massages, body butter making & supporting local artisans and small businesses are what's in store! **

P.S. Stay Tuned for my Upcoming Holiday Sale! 

It’s going to be BIG as I go through every drawer, closet and studio space to bring out lots and lots of paintings from this last year.

 

You won’t want to miss it!

P.S. Stay Tuned for my Upcoming Holiday Sale! 

It’s going to be BIG as I go through every drawer, closet and studio space to bring out lots and lots of paintings from this last year.

You won’t want to miss it!

My Top 5 Tips for Getting Your Art (On Paper) Framed | Guest Blog

"Tranquil" by Ashley Prejoles

What's a huge perk of being an artist? Having tons of creative, fun, smart and artsy friends! From time to time I will be posting some Inspired articles from others who have insightful and informative things to share! I hope you enjoy! This one is by the lovely, sweet and fierce Ashley Prejoles. You can visit her website and Instagram to view her beautiful, tender watercolor paintings that often feature wildlife and nature. Enjoy! ~ Jen

I get asked a lot about framing art and I wanted to share with you my top tips I pass on to friends and family when this comes up. For this specific Top 5, I'm talking paper media, not canvas art.

Ready? Here we go!

1) Go Archival

Archival refers to materials that will protect your art, rather than hurt it. It's typically labeled "archival" or "acid-free" so that its contact with the art will not slowly break down your lovely painting over time.

2) Think Classic

Feeling nervous about what frame to select? You can't go wrong with one of the three classic looks: Black, White, and Neutral. These three also look great mix-and-matched and they look nice if you pick a single style and frame a whole wall in matching frames!

3) Don't look directly at the sun!!

Your art, I mean. :)
Most fine art has been UV protected in some way, to keep it's colors bright and fresh as the day they were created. My prints use ink that is supposed to outlive us all, so they tell me! But even the most protected of art needs to be kept away from direct sunlight. So hang your new art over the fireplace, at the end of a lovely hallway, or in a place of honor in your bedroom. Avoid areas like a wall facing the largest windows in your home.

For extra help, buy glass with UV protection to keep out as much light as possible.

4) Go big!

Adding a nice matte to your frame is a great way to get the biggest impact with your art. It draws the eye in and gives it a large surface area so it has a bigger effect in your room. Simply look for a matte with a middle cut out that matches the dimensions of your art. 

5) Ask for help

If you're at the end of this list and you still feel like you're in over your head, ask someone what they think! Reach out to a creative family member or friend and pick their brain for frame ideas (they will be honored you asked for their opinion!). Also, most large craft stores have a frame shop that is happy to answer your questions and even help you pick out your new frame. Don't forget to bring in your art when you go!

Proud of your new art?

Send me a picture!! I LOVE seeing what you're doing in your home! I get all kinds of inspiration from you guys every day! I hope this list gave you a jump start with your next project.

Have a lovely weekend friend and I'll talk to you soon!

Ashley of Ashley Prejoles Art

P.S. Are you an artist looking to fine tune your radar for soulmate customers? 

Do you want to fine tune your Inner Radar with crystal clear clarity for Love, Wealth + Freedom? My Free Start Up Guide Includes my 5 Star Process To Become the Intuitive Rockstar of your #5StarLife! This process transformed my life and is the foundation of everything I do in my life & biz! ⭐️🙌🏼👯‍♀️

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