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:

Waarom maak je kunst?
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!

Hoe lang schilder je al?
I began painting as a child, but began to paint more seriously in my 20´s.

Heb je een formele kunstopleiding gevolgd?
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.

Bent u een werkende kunstenaar of een 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.

Wat voor muziek luister je naar tijdens het schilderen?
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.

Heb je een mentor gehad?
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.

Schilder je elke dag?
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.

Schilder je één stuk tegelijk of werk je aan meerdere tegelijk?
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…

Maak je eerst een conceptstuk?
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.

Schilder je liever in een studio of buiten?
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.

Hoeveel basiskleuren gebruik je?
Generally from 3 to a gazillion! That’s like asking me how many flavors I can taste. ALWAYS lots of blues!

Buizen, pannen of 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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Kom elke week online bij ons voor een 'Up Close and Personal Conversation' met Daniel Smith CEO en eigenaar, John Cogley, en gastkunstenaars van over de hele wereld. Op donderdag (14:00 uur Pacific) belicht John verschillende kenmerken van onze producten en beantwoordt hij uw vragen. Op vrijdag (10:30 uur Pacific) volgt een gastkunstenaar om te laten zien hoe zij die kenmerken in hun kunst verwerken. Klik hier for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

Bekijk onze Facebook pagina voor nieuws over aankomende gastartiesten of om herhalingen uit het verleden te bekijken. Elke Zoom-bijeenkomst wordt ook opgenomen en gedeeld op onze YouTube-kanaal.De Spaanse vertaling is beschikbaar – selecteer het Spaanse kanaal in Zoom.