Brushstrokes of Light:

Exploring the Journey of Fine Art Oil Painting with Julie Brayton

It definitely wasn’t easy to let go but thanks to my amazing daughters, I have been able to keep the show pace up. Sort of…

I still have to make art and that has been very difficult. I was blessed with great genes from my parents so I have managed to get through these invasive treatments fairly unscathed. It’s just now that it is starting to catch up with me. Thankfully as I mentioned earlier, this month it will all end. 

All treatments will end the third week of August. I am taking September off from shows so I can concentrate on holistic healing, building my body back up through nutrition. During that time, I hope to have the strength to get out and Plein Air (Open Air) paint. It’s been so hard not having the energy for that. 

September is such a beautiful month. I don’t want to miss it.

I had been planning before this all happened to make changes to my business model. The outdoor shows have drastically changed over the years. They are becoming more craft, even flea market like shows which has diminished the value of Fine Art. Fine Art as I define it is non-functional art often found in gallery settings or can be found at outdoor art show venues. Combining crafts or functional art with non-functional art creates a competitive environment since the target audience is skewed, unfocused. It’s hard to compete with bucket bags mass produced by foreign countries along side a one of a kind artist making art strictly for aesthetics. 

In addition, as an artist I need to grow, explore and create new work. I find myself on a treadmill of grinding out “what sells”.

Don’t get me wrong, I grew up on the water and around the ocean so it is a part of my soul. I love painting coastal scenes. My focus has changed to more catching the light over catching the scene. This is where Plein Air comes into play. I have a passion to explore various light conditions making something, anything, beautiful because of how light affects the color of an object or scene. I also want to start to work in series. A themed set of work that I may or may not repeat. This raises the value of the work and brings my collectors on a journey with me.

My plan is to post to YouTube but also to you here on my list. You are my VIP members by just being here gives you special offers and first viewings.

I know, I haven’t been very good at consistency but that is going to change. 

My other project is my How To Paint course.

I’ve put together a very comprehensive course focused on the use of color.

Different from the traditional approaches in the “how to paint” world, my course and lessons open the mind of my students to see the world in a different way than they ever have. 

I’ll be looking for student  feedback and input to reshape what I have already made. I will be offering a quick start training so you can see if this for you.  If you’re interested in recieving emails specific to this method of painting respond to this email, INTERESTED

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Talk Soon!

This is me Aug 5th 2025. I’m really tired, zapped of most energy but I pace myself.

It will be all done Soon!!!

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.