mariapalito's workshop

May 13th, 2010

Interview Today: Juliette Crane

I want to welcome my friend Juliette Crane, a really amazing woman with a colorful and inspirational art. She is a very creative freelance Mixed Media Artist & Illustrator living in Madison WI.

When I discovered her art for the fist time I wanted to grab my color pencils and start drawing dolls as well !! Maybe one day I will go to draw dolls with her, but for now I am honored to lead this inspirational and colorful interview!!

Welcome Juliette!!!

1. How did you start with your art?

I’ve always loved creating different types of art, but didn’t start the paintings I do now until last summer when my sister-in-law gave me a few vintage wallpaper books. I had no idea what to do with them, but i loved the designs. so I decided to do what I enjoyed most as a kid and cut out paper dolls. I loved the outfits and started painting the characters to go along with.

2. When and how did you start seeing your hobby as a business?

I realized how much I enjoyed painting and couldn’t stop. People told me I should exhibit my art somewhere and luckily there was a gallery space at our local library. I put my art up there and got such wonderful feedback and loved painting so much, I realized I couldn’t stop and decided to put all of my creative energy into getting my art out into the world. I posted my paintings as prints and art jewelry on etsy, started a blog, got on facebook and twitter, and keep exhibiting my artwork locally and constantly tell everyone what i do. with patience and a ton of hard work, my business is growing and I so love what I do.

3. how do you start your creative process?

I always start with a clean workspace. it helps to clear my mind. Then  I grab a few blank canvases and fill them with colors. once they dry, I set one in front of me and just sit with it until I feel what wants to come to life. I never sketch anything beforehand. Each piece just slowly evolves and I work on many at once so I don’t have to wait too long for paint to dry and can stay in the creative flow…Always drawing or cutting paper.

4. Where do you find motivation to continue with your goals?

I’m motivated to paint because I find so much joy in the process. It helps me figure out my emotions and sometimes delve into my subconscious. I just love discovering new things about myself through creating. I am super lucky to have so many wonderful supportive people around me too. and I get a huge amount of motivation from them as well. Knowing that people are inspired or somehow feel a connection to my artwork is most meaningful and always keeps me creating.

5. Time management is a big issue in a personal business. what is your secret ?

lists. I have four notebooks-one for a daily planner, one for random ideas, one for things I’d like to get around to, and one to keep track of bigger projects.  I also make sure to give myself lots of time to create. that keeps the artist in me happy so I can do the more logical time management stuff well.

6. What is your favorite way to get inspired?

Traveling, dinner parties with lots of friends, gardening and taking nature walks. I’m always inspired by experiencing new things.

7. Could you explain a little bit about your technique,  Mixed Media?

Mixed media is using more than one medium to create a piece of art.” I combine acrylics, charcoal, ink, watercolors, paper, fabric, and pencils. I’ve even used 3-d flowers from a greeting card. pretty much if it’s in my studio, I try and use it.

8. Where can we see more about your art?

MY ETSY SHOP: http://www.juliettecrane.etsy.com

MY BLOG: juliettecrane.blogspot.com/

MY WEBSITE: www.juliettecrane.com

My FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/juliettetcrane