Julie Ann Karlsson came to us LIVE from Sweden on Friday, April 29th at 10:30am Pacific via Zoom to discuss her watercolor techniques.

Here’s a quick Q&A with Julie Ann:

Why do you make art?
Making art and being creative is as much a part of me as my hair, my laugh, my personality. It makes me glad, feeds my soul and is a reflection of the GREAT Creator!

How long have you been painting?
I began painting as a child, but began to paint more seriously in my 20´s.

Did you have formal art training?
No formal art training to speak of. I have had the privilege of spending time with artists throughout my life and “caught the bug!”  I am so grateful for all the encouragement, tips and shared insights from the artists in my school of life.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
I paint and teach painting/esthetic arts—and love it!

What inspires you?
Inspiration is all around me, from the colors in our amazing long sunrises here in Sweden, to the intricate details in flowers, the expressions of shadows and light . . . Creation is inspiring! I also am inspired by exploring new techniques, trying to find different ways to do things and creative ways to inspire and teach my students. Teaching has probably been the most broadening influence in my artistic journey. Since I first tried DANIEL SMITH Watercolors over 20 years ago, the addictive magic color combinations and unique personalities of each one keep me experimenting and constantly in a state of childish awe, suggesting new ideas and expressions.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
That can depend on what I´m painting or what type of mood I´m striving to achieve. I feel moved and inspired by contemporary Christian music, energized by blue grass and lifted by classical music.

Have you had a mentor?
Many people have played an important part in my creative life over the years, sharing their life wisdom and encouraging me. I also have a very creative family (rife with artists and creative types!) whose ideas and critiques mean a lot.

Do you paint every day?
I try to paint at least a little bit most days. During times when the painting doesn´t happen on paper or canvas, I spend time soaking in what is around me, creating paintings in my mind to be retrieved at a later time.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
I usually have several paintings in the works at the same time, often trying out different ways of painting similar subjects. They don´t all get finished…

Do you create a concept piece first?
I have an image in my mind that can come together over days or months—or all at once. I usually go straight to painting it.

Do you prefer painting in studio or plein air?
Usually I paint in my studio or somewhere around my home. In more recent years I´ve enjoyed painting en plein air more and more, especially together with others.

How many core colors do you use?
Generally from 3 to a gazillion! That’s like asking me how many flavors I can taste. ALWAYS lots of blues!

Tubes, pans or sticks?
While I prefer tubes (which are also great for sharing), I find pans and sticks to be handy on the go, and have them both in my travel sets.

When do you know that your piece is finished?
Usually it’s when the shadows are in place and they create contrasts to highlight what I´m trying to achieve. BUT I´ve been known to take a watercolor out of a frame and…

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Join us online each week for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with Daniel Smith CEO and Owner, John Cogley and guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John highlights various features of our products and answers your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist follows up to share how they incorporate those features into their art. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

Check our Facebook page for news about upcoming guest artists or to watch past replays. Each Zoom meeting is also recorded and shared on our YouTube channel. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.