A topic close to my heart... I struggle with this sometimes to the point of obsession... I want things to have my own spin on them, and I don't want to be like everyone else.. It didn't happen overnight.
Countless pages of frustration in my art journal at the beginning... mine didn't look as good as hers, I can't get my paint to do that... No one will ever like this crap...
Boo hoo hoo.. until one day, I don't remember when, I made something I really liked... and you know? It didn't look like her page... I didn't use the paper she used... I made it my own. I was happy.
So I knew this was my style coming out... tired of hiding under the false style of another artist... she was here. I have to spread the word!
I abandoned tutorials... I stopped reading instructions on bottles and potions... and I was free! You can do it too, friends.... feel the wind in your hair! Errr...paint brush.
There is a lot of time to join in on the Street Team this Crusade! Stop over Michelle's inspiring blog to take a look...make it your own!
Julie, thanks for sharing this honest and beautiful post with the Team and your readers. I think we all have had that struggle - which is a valuable experience because it meant we were looking for our own style/groove/look/voice. It's the Julification factor :) I know that because you have made your own discoveries in technique and *MIYO* that you will be an awesome teacher to the Layer Lovers, imparting knowledge while encouraging individuality. Feelin' the wind and Makin' It Our Own. xoxo
Posted by: michelleward | May 29, 2009 at 09:42 AM
'zactly what's been on my mind lately! Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey to "your own". :)
Posted by: Evangeline | May 29, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Super cool. And I think lately I'm knowing exactly what you mean!
Thanks for sharing your layers.
Posted by: Chris | May 29, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Love journals all stacked up! This was a challenge at my Mango Studio class, to teach creativity, not duplication...
happy weekend!
Posted by: Stephanie | May 29, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Word!
Posted by: Carmen Torbus | May 29, 2009 at 12:08 PM
V comforting! I'm struggling to find my own style and it's always good to hear it's not just you. :o)
Posted by: Tara | May 29, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Wonderful way with words you have Julie!!! Have a great weekend!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | May 29, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Seeing the crusty painted page ends of all those journals stacked up just makes me want to open them and wander through the pages. Great post, you're so onto it.
Posted by: Cath | May 29, 2009 at 07:52 PM
That's exactly what I'm struggling with right now! I love your class and your techniques but I have to make them my own somehow.
Posted by: Janet | May 29, 2009 at 08:29 PM
I am struggling with making it my own right now too! Love the photos :) So cool!
Posted by: Kim H | May 30, 2009 at 07:18 AM
Thanks for sharing the path that got you to where you are now...a style that is truly your very own!
Posted by: Seth | May 30, 2009 at 08:18 AM
As so many have said, I really appreciate this post. It's so nice to know that our paths cross at this point... Thanks for your inspiration, encouragement, and generosity. Not to mention some super cool photos :)
Cheers,
Gaye
Posted by: Gabrielle Fabian | May 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Julification...you can't teach that...but you can teach and encourage me to get to my own Kimification. Perfect post, Teach !
Posted by: kim mailhot | May 30, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Oh, thank you Julie! I guess we all struggle with that. I know I do, too. I love your work and the inspiration.
--Jane
Posted by: Jane | May 30, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Thanks, MIchelle... I had no idea how many of the crusaders were sharing the same sentiments this round...awesome! xo
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Thank you so much, Evangeline!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Anytime! Thank you too!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:52 AM
YES! I agree, Stephanie. Thank you!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Word! lol
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Thank you, Tara!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Thanks, Patty- same to you!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Thank you so much, Cath!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:58 AM
You will, Janet...you're on the way!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Thank you, Kim! xo
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Thank you very much, Jane! I appreciate it. xo
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM
I like it, i like it..... everyone has said what I would have said. Every once in a while I "copy" to get the feel of the technique and then toss it and start over and then I don't necessarily like what I have made and it always, for me anyway, a "walk away from it" and then return with different eyes! Excellent post, Julie!
Posted by: Marlynn | May 30, 2009 at 02:58 PM
smiling here, julie... and feeling the wind in my hair... : ) xo
Posted by: lynne | May 30, 2009 at 03:12 PM
fanastico!!!
http://andreacarucci.style.it/
Posted by: Andreadu | May 31, 2009 at 08:21 AM
aw geeze..thanks julie, about michelle's post. even funnier things happened back then,that is parallel to your own story here..i had to travel all over creation trying to find interesting "ga ga's" to make my own or add to. i'd drag my sister with me 'cause it got to be so embarrasing at times, like.."oh, honey, don't do that, can't do that, nobody would do that, nobody's done that.." blah blah. i remember the day a change was made, carolyn turned to me and said, "YOU'LL DO IT anyway"! i stopped listening & started asking, what if? & who cared what the directions say, try your own experiments. wha hoo! love love your story too! xoxo wanda
Posted by: wanda miller | May 31, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Thank you so much!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | May 31, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Hey Julie! Great post, loved the honest sentiment and the encouragement you give to us all, that we, too, can make it our own! Love what you've done, xoxo, K.
Posted by: mac | June 01, 2009 at 07:18 AM
Thanks, Kathy Kath!!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | June 01, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Fantastic - I loved your story about how your Art evolved. It's a very encouraging message to all Artists. And your images are beautiful!!!
Posted by: Darlene | June 03, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Thank you so much, Darlene!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | June 03, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Such a wonderful story! Perfect for the crusade. I may have even teared up just a bit. :) Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: Melisa | June 03, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Yes! The wind is blowing!
Posted by: Something Sublime | June 03, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Thank you, Melissa!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | June 03, 2009 at 09:48 PM
And I say let it blow!
xo
Posted by: Julie Prichard | June 04, 2009 at 07:59 AM
I can totally relate to this. Great post. Journaling is such a wonderful way to get to that point of letting go and creating from the heart.
Posted by: Pam Carriker | June 06, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Thank you so much, Pam!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | June 07, 2009 at 08:45 AM