Bleed The Knife

                                       Bleed The Knife by Julie Akeman

  I have been thinking of this piece all day..and finally executed it tonight. It is by far my most dynamic and edgiest piece for my abstract experimentation series.  I love just working with the purity of the paint, it releases something in me.  My inspiration does come from a darker source.  My own depression and suicidal thoughts back in my teen years..however, as much as I was emotionally suffering then I didn't take the knife to my wrists..I was squeemish about pain and blood and didn't want to end up in a hospital strapped down to a bed you know..I've read enough stories..still didn't have a lot of help back then to deal with my anger and rage..and now..I'm dealing with a lot of anger at being cooped up and having to deal with a very annoying seven year old..yes I'm talking about my daughter..who has no concept of boundaries and is really pushing me to the edge..I have other kids and I don't have this issue.  I need a place to express my stress, anger..and really it's more than just her, it's EVERYTHING.  I just see a lot of beauty in this piece as well as darkness.  It does remind me of The Cure's Mixed Up album cover..I think the colors are just what I like...it's still an original piece.  One I want to do is inspired by the Corona Virus..that's going to be something!

New Abstract Painting Video

SEE VIDEO

With the virus shutting the schools down in my area I have only night time to work on my piece..need some diversion...this video shows me working on an abstract..I put on the Never Ending Story soundtrack to help fuel my inspiration..enjoy.

Finished piece...I call it Skyburst

Space Dragon

Art by Julie Akeman

My finished Space Dragon..might make some adjustments later..don't know..after I've done a load of work I let it set for a while to dry..the beauty of oil paints is that you can work quickly and you can leave it alone and change it up later..I did love splattering the paint..have to wait for it to dry to see how doing it that way will work once it dries.

Painting Space For a Dragon

Video

Hello friendly followers..Akemanartist is at it again..I am working on more creative dragon paintings on small canvases..if you would like to buy one just keep following me, oils take a bit to dry through I am using water soluble oils which doesn't take as long but still need a month to be sure.  I will be revamping my Etsy shop and will get things in place..keep following.

In this video I just did a spacelike background and yes it will have a dragon but it's going to be an outline of one and I will try to get a video of that process too.

I only used three colors of Lukas Berlin watercolor paints

Titanium white

Ultramarine (one of my favorites)

and Cobalt Violet

I prefer to paint fast and work alla prima for the most part..sometimes I wait for the backgrounds to dry before I add my dragon..it depends on how I want to do it..working wet in wet I have to make sure I want to alter what I have going on..in another background I decided to let it dry before I add the dragon..I try both ways of doing this and really I like both ways..it all depends on how I want to mix the paint on canvas.

Due to some issues you have to click the video link, it goes to my Facebook page.

And this is another background for another dragon to be painting..stay tuned.

Moon Dragon

The background for my next dragon painting..calling it my moon dragon..probably going to end up as a series just so I can work on the job of backgrounds then letting the paint dry a little then adding the dragon..working wet into wet...maybe I'll be the Bob Ross of Dragons haha.

I'm listening to Pink Floyd's What do you Want From Me (I don't own the rights to the music)..audio not that great..had to balance the laptop to do the video.  Someday I'll get a camera and stand.  I painted the background the day before with water soluble oils, then start with a sinuous line to mark out the shape of the dragon.  Probably best to watch with the audio off..it's pretty hard on the ears.

The stars are fun to add...I have to step back to see how they look..trying to make them sparkle.
You can see the basic shape of the dragon and it's very similar to the Luck Dragon I did last year..basically in the same position..this one the snout is a lot shorter.


I do love the Chinese style of dragons with the fur waving in the wind..and yes I love Spirited Away..love to see it again.  I want to work at doing this over and over again to get the feel of doing the dragons in this kind of way..I love mixing the paint into the canvas..my art teacher..the only one I didn't like and also found out none of the other teachers liked her..was always against mixing onto the canvas...be free to experiment for yourself you know...that's how you find your style..try different brands of paint.  I use Lukas oils, they dry quickly, and now I switched to their water soluble oils because they are so easy to clean and you really only need water to mix..and I found out that I can also use acrylic with it on the surface..did a small experiment to see if they do work since they are water based and yes they do.
If you have any interest in buying my paintings please comment..let me know what you like..My old Etsy shop has been inactive but once I get my artworks lined up I will try to put things together..I am a single mom so this is tough.  My ex hit one of the younger kids, they got taken into custody, and it took a couple of days to get them released to me..three kids..and I work part time at a library so it's been my wish to support myself better through my art..which takes time and support.
Thank you for reading this..let me know what you like..and I hope to make prints because really these oil paintings will be priced high..I put a lot of work in it.

Happily Ever After by Corey Kneedler

Artwork by Julie Akeman

“Happily Ever After”
By Corey Kneedler

It’s cold tonight but you don’t care. Right now you’re safe and warm in my arms. While the wild eerily howls through the cracks of the windows, you feel secure.
Before, when you were all alone, such sounds would have terrified you. Such feelings would have reminded you why you had to escape, why you felt like you weren’t god enough to move on.
But you finally learned to let go this year, didn’t you? Finally decided to let the past die like an old withered tree. I’m proud of you for that.
I’m glad you decided to take that chance you were on the fence about taking. Glad you chose to open the box your heart has rested quietly in for the last five years.
It was worth it, wasn’t it?
As our souls draw near to each other, both of us can feel that it was worth the wait, worth all the pain and the tears it took to get here.
All you had to do was take that first step.
I know it was hard for you. One of the hardest things you’ve ever done.
And I want to thank you for doing that. For being brave again, for your willingness to fall in love again. You are truly the bravest person I know.
The night is still young, and we’ve got plenty of time ahead of us, God willing.
It’s not too late to write new chapters. Not too late to wipe the slate clean and start over.
As it turns out, love really can be found.
There is life after divorce, life after the abuse, the sleepless nights, the cold lonely nights.
Love is still out there waiting for you. All you have to do is take that first step.
You aren’t broken. You aren’t a waste. You are good enough. You are stronger than you were yesterday. You’re worth more than the rarest gem, more beautiful than the Northern Lights.
No one is holding you back but you.
There’s a whole universe of adventure waiting for you. Countless happy memories to be made.
Yes, life is still worth living.
And happy endings still exist.

This could be you.
What are you waiting for?
What are you afraid of?
Take that first step.
Don’t be afraid.
Love is already ready.
And it’s waiting for you.
You just have to find it.

Find your happy ending:

Ghosts Of Home

Crazy Work Space

I started a new project when I have two others to finish, which is how it goes with me..I love to paint fantasy but asking my questions to myself about where I want to go with my art. Obviously I want to make a living at my art, how am I going to achieve that?  Need to get my projects done that's for sure. 

This piece may look pretty much done but it's so empty, I want to add maybe a mysterious whisp, and then something in the water..I do love this piece and don't want to mess it up, though it is water soluble oils which is pretty easy to clean.

This is a watercolor on watercolor canvas and I love the canvas better than paper.  It is a lot sturdier and easier to manage as stretching papers has proven very tricky for me. The background has been worked a little more and I will make another shot when done..but I think I want to make a burning forest in the background..just painting on a whim here.

This Is A Horse

This is a horse.
Oh yeah, I know it's not as well done as it should be.
But I was only doing a sketch wash and then messing about in India ink.
It's not perfect.
It's not supposed to be.
Art does not have to be perfect.
Art is about learning what art means to you,
What art does for you,
And what it can do for others.
Try your hand at it.
If you start criticizing yourself...you hit on something
How do you treat yourself in your mind every day.
We are often too hard on ourselves, mean to ourselves without knowing it.
Do a piece.
Try to draw
What does your inner voice say?
Working on a piece can help draw that out.
What do you say to yourself.
This art is just for you, your eyes only
Why the hell are you criticizing yourself.

This horse, this horse, you can still tell it's a horse, it's got the parts
But it does not look like it's real.
Well, I didn't use a photo reference
I went with my gut, my intuition
and besides.
I've seen art of animals where lines are curvy, wavy
Different colors
Tribal art where there is more circles or zig zags
So...there is no wrong way of doing a horse.
Julie Akeman
 

Butterflies in the Light

Art by Julie Akeman   Butterflies In The Light

I just finished painting this piece.  It had some issues before with looking a bit plain before I added the swirls of white that make the outline of leaves and vines.  If anyone is interested in buying this let me know..it will need to dry for a bit as it is oil and I just did it..still undecided if I am going to re vamp my etsy shop.

The Wolf

“The Wolf”
By Corey Kneedler

The ravenous wolf of time grows hungrier for us every day. Each passing day brings it closer, reminding of us of our inevitable mortality.
Plagued with frailty, weakness and the sting of decay, we press on through life’s barriers one by one.
Sometimes moving slowly forward through a sea of molasses we keep going, chasing after the dream of a better life, a new start, something real and fresh out that brings happiness to our souls.
And yet the wolf keeps chasing, hungrier and hungrier as each hour passes.
It’s a fate we can not seem to escape. The hour of devouring will soon be at hand. Meal time approaches, and the table is set.
Will we make it to the finish line? Will we one day bask in the rays of the warm sunlight, free from harm, pain and sorrow?
Come, wolf. Chase after me. Try and catch me if you can. Always pressing forward, I won’t let the foul smell of your breath defeat me. I won’t let your intimidating growls shake me. I won’t let your claws rip me to shreds when I am down.
I will keep pressing on, through the forest of thorns, over the rivers of sorrows, past the desolate landscapes of the lonely desert, and into the depths of the darkest seas.
And when I’ve made it home, one day I’ll look back on you with a fiery confidence in my eyes, and I’ll pull back my bow and fire an arrow into your skull. With a smile, I’ll say, “You couldn’t catch me. Now I’ve caught you.”
And then I’ll stand over your corpse and say, “Thank you for chasing after me all these years. If it wasn’t for you, I never would have made it this far.”

Follow the Ghosts

Artwork by Julie Akeman

Soul to Soul

SOUL TO SOUL

Peel back my layers

Speak gently

Listen deeply

Touch my heart

Before you touch my body

Let me bare my soul to you

All my pains

All my secrets

What is right and what is wrong with me

What I think is wrong

Let's spend some time

Opening up

To each other

Let's walk in the sun

In the moonlight

Under trees of falling leaves

Walk though crisp air

And sparkling snow

Our hands, connecting

As we talk of all 

Of ourselves

One night

I promise that one night

I will welcome that intimate closeness

Skin on Skin

Because we already spent time

Soul to Soul.

Julie Akeman

Featured Artists

Please come and explore the works of these two artists...one a poet, the next an artist who does amazing drawings..

Ghosts of Home

"Yesterday you were smiling in the sunshine..."  Corey Kneedler

Art by Sycamorelullaby

What I have learned

What I have learned from Loftus Hall

Oh dear god where do I start on this?  First of all I learned I can accomplish much by just jumping into it.
I have never done a staircase before but I very much believe in the vision of this project and decided to have a go at it.

Perfection doesn't happen in a single painting, the perfecting happens over time as you keep painting, from each painting I learn a bit about myself, my abilities and what my weaknesses are in painting.  Ok I admit perspective is a challenge for me, compare this painting to the photo I used and the stairs look off.
BUT the whole point of this painting was to paint the spookiness of the place, I have never been there, the owner said when you go upstairs it's like you're at a different level.  I made things in that painting to look foreboding.  It's a beautiful piece despite it's imperfections, however some on Twitter have said Loftus was really awesome or badass.

Things seem to come out in my paintings, it's really odd, and in working on this it creeped me out.  First of all the recessed area on the top there that holds the cross, above it you see an eye, I had shaded darkly with some charcoal for a shadow before I painted it with titanium white for the foundation of the painting, an eye jumped out at me, it wasn't my intention, when I stepped back and noticed it looking at me it gave me the shivers, I kept it, then when I did the upper wall more started coming out.

On the right is something that I say would look like a freakin demon skull, the left looks like a skull or a ghostly face, you be the judge for what you see.  In either case it was UNINTENTIONAL I was just dabbing a darker layer in, I started with Titanium white, next a layer of magenta which was really bright, toned it down with zinc white which is transparent and then I thought it needed darkening up, so I dabbed lightly with the purple I had and noticed what was going on at a certain point.  Yah got the chills again, which was good, it's supposed to be creepy.  I have painted before when other images seem to just crop up.  I go with it.  Trust your art instincts.  Let it flow, the painting will paint itself. I love reaching that point when I am working and not even feeling I am in this living world, I am at one with the painting which is another life altogether.  I am glad I found others thinking the same way on Art21's Twitter account, makes me less isolated knowing other artists are in this frame of mind.

Knowing when the painting is DONE I have had a time with this one, I kept seeing areas that needed to be fixed. Granted there are trouble areas with the perspective of the banisters, but if I would try to fix it I would really mess up the painting, I just have to leave it alone and just learn from it.  It is still great, and after working hard on this I had to take a break and do an 'easy' painting, a bit of an experiment in color.

This is Blazing Dawn, I nicknamed it Lollipop because the mane made me think of those swirly lollipops.
It is a smaller painting, which will be on Etsy as soon as I finish the edges, the painting itself is done.
I like working on these 11by8 sizes, I can be free to play more on a smaller canvas, I really do love large works but I get so much work done with the smaller canvases. I take my painting seriously, but I must PLAY that's the key to such fun and bright works, to really let myself play and discover interesting color combinations.  Some may look like kids stuff but hey Picasso said it took him a long time to be able to paint like a child again.

I have been working on Proveglia too but that's another blog entry.

Loftus Hall Up the stairs slowly

At one point I had to white out a section of the railing because I had too much there and after I did that it looked better.  Was told oil is a very forgiving medium, I do love it so much more than watercolor though I have done some great watercolors and it was watercolors that I worked with all my life till I got into oils.

I still have a bit to work on but it is coming along fine, I'm just slowly doing the stairs because I am fixing it as I go up those things.

I also started on a sketch of Proveglia, haven't ordered my gesso board yet though.

On the left you can just barely see the demonic entity that is featured as Zack Bagins tat.

It's not totally detailed just a pencil drawing so it's hard to see when it was scanned

but the shot of Proveglia you can see is green.  My daughter thought it looked like it was on fire, green fire.

It will be interesting, I'm trying to capture the spiritual energy of the place and that is the vision that got to me when I thought of the place.

When I think of Waverly Hills Sanatorium I think of blues, more cold, sad and isolated than anything else.

I don't know what size Waverly Hills will be, I haven't found a shot yet to use as reference, I just know what colors best represent the place.

I have other art ideas apart from Ghost Adventures, it's just these three places speak so strongly I just had to paint them, after these three I don't know if I will do more, it all depends on what strikes me.

I can't wait to see the new episodes, been following Ghost Adventures Crew on Twitter.  

I don't get cable, just internet so I have to wait to catch episodes on Youtube. I want to eventually buy all the DVD's of their shows but my funds only go so far.  I'm not all starving artist here, it's just a limit on how much I can get what I want and when.  I'm just thankful I am well stocked on artist supplies, up till now I hadn't painted for two years.  I just need a new board for the Proveglia project, and I am going back to my old canvases to fix them. Like this one here.

I painted this one a few years ago and now I really HATE that tree on the left!!

In order to fix it I have to white it out.

I will paint over it in Titanium white to start over again and fix it.

Of course I KNOW I will have to touch up everything else and that will take time as I go over and think what to change.  

Mmmm I think there is way too much yellow, the staff needs a bit of work. I will start with the tree first and then things will just flow from there I know it.

I have done great work on redos

I also have ideas for new paintings

Ideas just feed off one another here.

How I love it!

Before and After Changing the Mermaid's Wave painting.

THIS IS THE BEFORE IMAGE

 This got cropped a bit when I scanned it because the painting is slightly bigger than the scanner.  Now I will show the redone painting.

 

The painting is just brighter when I was finally done with it.  I glazed it over the original paint and made it all pop out more and it looks more defined when before all objects were more hazy, diffused.  I did want a blurry look but NOT THAT blurry!  The crab can be seen better, and before there were some muddy parts in the painting where I guess I did not mix the paint well in those areas and got brownish or drab colors.  My original paint was more diluted because I used Turpinoid Natural a bit too much.  I glazed with lindseed oil and the color looks a lot brighter.  I first started redoing this painting with the intent to only fix the brain coral at the far left of the painting.  Once I fixed that, the yellow was too bright and had to be toned down and I made little glazed grooves to make it look like brain grooves in green,  I started noticing how OFF everything else was.  The only thing that remained the same was the little bunch of firey red and orange coral below the crab.  That stayed the same.  Everything else got a glaze of color to punch it up.