Brushstrokes of Light:

Exploring the Journey of Fine Art Oil Painting with Julie Brayton

It’s been a busy start to the year. My last blog post was in December. Sorry

I have been very busy with my hands in a few pots this year. I am studying hard at reinventing myself.

In the meantime when it comes to my paintings I have a new collection I’ll talk about in a minute.

But first, do you keep up with the trends? No doubt when it comes to your home you are probably saying, “not so much”

Many people I have sold art to over the last few years I noticed had pretty much the same color palette of grey and neutrals. That is a perfect background to keeping your styles and colors up with the trends without changing everything.

Particularly if you like both change and art. Art is a great way to change things up.

I remember when my grandmother changed her curtains and bedspreads every season. I don’t think many people do that anymore.

As a lover of art, changing your art either with the seasons or just mid year you can enjoy your collection and a new look.

Speaking of collections, I decided recently to start a new “Collection” or series called “Tranquil Tides”.

My inspiration for this collection is based on morning light.

Have you ever gone out just as the sun is coming up, maybe for a run or walk on the beach? As a painter of light I am very much in tuned to the differences between sunrise versus sunset. Morning light seems more often than not to have a more subdued or diffused yellow. Of course the light changes fast as the sun rises but that is a different look to the rich orange and pinks that happen at sunset. Granted you can see these colors in both settings but I think in the early morning where there is a quiet solitude it adds to the unique quality found during that time of day.

I thought for giggles I would check the 2024 color trends and what do you know, this collection fits right in.

I have gone many of times to my local beaches and harbors to catch this morning light. The stillness of the morning is so calming and the glow of the sun coming up is awe inspiring.

As an impressionist painter of light, my interest and goal is capture how light affects color. So the same scene or object will call for different colors based on the time of day and year.

Watch how  one of my paintings progress as I capture this unique lighting condition.

The photos above give you a sneak peek into the progression of a painting. There is a unique process I teach my students that dives deep into understanding how color works and with that knowledge you learn to see color in a unique way in nature.  This allows you to capture the light conditions before you.

If you are interested in learning this feel free to reach out in the comments.

My goal or mission is to bring reminders and connection to the importance each individual has through the connection to nature. How we all can honor the essence of who we have always been meant to be. Creativity, whether through collecting art or creating it, is a healing force that allows us to embrace, tell and own our stories in a transformative and ultimately joyful way.