Welcome! I hope this will inspire you to collaborate and harmonize in some interesting and rewarding ways. I’ve always been drawn to music that features multiple voices harmonizing. It seems to me that life is a sort of on-going song in which we are healthiest when we find ways to thrive in harmony. That has been one of the common threads and missions for this website and all of my creations. The Born to Bloom Bright book is a lovely example of what might grow when we nurture seeds with kindred spirits. It was inspired by a collaborative work of art.
I recently had the pleasure of co-creating with another artist from across the ocean when Rika Dehombreux of Belgium asked if I’d like to make a few pieces with her. You’re invited to join us by contributing titles if you’d like. We each made 4 initial layers on 8×8” watercolor papers. Then, we mailed them across the Atlantic and finished the 4 that the other person began. This is a great way to add new energy to your creations while connecting and exploring with artists from anywhere in the world. Admittedly, it can be a bit daunting to decide what to cover up and what to preserve from the other artist’s first layer. It helps to have multiple pieces for less pressure! I chose to vary the amount of marks that I added in both the beginning layers and the final layers. Here are the before and after from all 8 pieces!
The first four are the ones that Rika began and sent to me that I finished.
Before I share the titles we chose for each piece, you can join in the collaboration by adding your own voice to the conversation with titles that speak to you. I wonder if that is why some artists often leave their work untitled. There is a conversation that takes place between viewers and the art independent of the original artist(s). I’d love to hear what titles you come up with if you’d like to share any in the comments using the reference numbers above. Adding titles is one of my favorite aspects of finishing a piece. What would you name the finished pieces?
Here are the titles that Rika and I came up with for the images above. We each added our own for fun:
Jules: 1. Moondust in the Garden 2. Pollination 3. Core of Matter 4. Through the Wild
Rika: 1. Wonderful, With Love and Joy 2. Tenderness at Dusk 3. Bursting with love and light 4. Just beautiful
The next set contains the ones that I began and sent to Belgium for Rika to finish. The fourth one that I sent just had a design made with masking fluid on it.
Here are the titles that we each chose for the ones above.
Rika: 1. Love, Bliss and Spirit 2. Trust your Intuition 3. Simply Enjoy Painting Your Wishes 4. Straight from the Heart
Jules: 1. Whims of Love 2. Passion Flowering 3. Wish upon a Heart (or Cave of Dreams or Wishing Well) 4. Cosmic Blooms (or Hands in the Garden). Sometimes I have a hard time limiting it to just one!
I love to collaborate and harmonize. It feels healthy to focus on that kind of cooperative energy when society can often feel so competitive and comparative. Creating art is a collaborative process to me, even if I’m the only one actually making marks on a piece. There are so many forms of inspiration that influence our creations, such as music, movies, other artists, prompts, nature and the world around us. Making art is one way we process, connect, and get intimate with life. It helps me to slow down in a world that sometimes seems like it’s spinning out of control. It helps me pause to breathe, calm the nerves, and appreciate the beautiful wonder amidst all the messes.
As I shared in a podcast conversation, the creative process has even been a cheerleader to me. There is so much magic and medicine to be found when we play and experiment with art supplies! Yet, many of us have gone through phases when we don’t allow ourselves to do so. Maybe we think we’re not “good enough.” Maybe we are too busy. I’ve been there and there. Thankfully, I found my way back to the colorful adventurer that is part of human nature when we are not on autopilot or numbing out. I hope you have found a way to nurture that part of yourself, whether it’s through cooking, gardening, writing, painting, singing, sewing, or whatever sets your spirit free!
If you’d like to co-create with me, the Art as an Altar offering is a great way to explore these aspects and synergy through the creative process. I’ve also contributed to several collaborative courses that are available to start anytime.
You can hear more about the co-creation of the Born to Bloom Bright book and meet a few of the contributing artists from Italy and India in the Free Story Time Video.
You can get to know Rika and see more of her lovely intuitive art at:
Website: https://www.glowingroots.com Blog: https://glowingroots.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rikadehombreuxart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RikaDehombreuxArt
Thank You for sharing a bit of your time with me in this way. I hope you feel inspired and able to thrive in harmony. Let your sweet heart, art, and soul sing.
Love,
Jules
Leave a Reply