Art - Vision Statement

Clifford Creations Vision Statement

"I am a master artist who produces extraordinary art. Collectors, interior designers, art directors, publishers and distributors constantly pursue and purchase my work nationally and internationally. I create a positive, world wide impact using art as my tool. My art gives the viewer an experience of awe and delight they remember forever.

Clifford Creations -- Art by Julia Clifford. Art that takes your breath away ...now and for generations to come."

This vision statement is a work in progress. It's a tall order and I am up for the challenge. Focusing on the desired outcome helps me to actualize and live my dream business.

Fall Orchard Painting

This is a snapshot of "Fall Orchard", part of my orchard series. This one is 6'x8'.
Clifford Creations

Painting First and Last

Another example of first layer and final layer. This painting is about 6'x8'. The final one is hiding a bit behind furniture and a couple of smaller apple blossom paintings.

Clifford Creations

Painting Calm Exteriors Mask Dynamic Interiors

Underneath the calm exterior is a dynamic interior, layers underneath that swirl and glow. Best seen in person but hints reflect through even in this low res image.
Julia Clifford

Painting the Foundation

These two images are great examples of how the foundation or first layer placed on the canvas can dictate the final outcome.

The "Field of Daisies" started out completely as an abstract. I just put down colors not knowing what the final piece would be. Daisies emerged much later and the sky was added last.

The "Trees Through the Forest" was inspired by an actual place I witnessed driving up the Mount Baker Highway. The first layer on the canvas mapped out the composition and every layer from that point forward focused on capturing that magical moment.

Garden-Walk Right In

"Garden Illuminated"
6.5' x 8.5'
(big enough to want to walk right into)
See more of my work on my portfolio.

Paint EVERYWHERE!

I keep adding dabs of paint all over, layer after layer.

As you look at the painting, you can see dabs of pastel purples and red and blues in the pink. You can't make a mistake. And check out the leaves below. Orange and reds sit on top along with pale blues and purples.

The painting shirt was a gift. I love wearing it but most of the time I forget to put it on. Luckily, I am not a messy painter.

Garden Grows with Layers of Paint

This painting is stapled on a frame that is 7 x 9 ft. The first coat of paint is actually chalk pastel panted over with matte medium. The first layer helps to sketch out the composition of the piece.

I use golden paints that are more translucent in nature rather than opaque. Their tube of paint makes an easy distinction on their labels that help determine if they are more opaque or more transparent. New layers of acrylic are mixed with matte medium to add to the translucent quality of the paint.

I love painting all over the canvas all at the same time. Dabs of color everywhere! I usually use a little brush too. It's practically impossible to mess up with this large of a canvas and that small of a brush. Different colors just adds more interest to the piece. A leave is green, add dabs of purple, orange, yellow, blue and red. Suddenly, that leaf is looking alive! Check out colors in finished paintings to see what I mean.

Painting Beginnings Can Differ

While the Orchard started out as nearly pure abstract, Garden Illuminated begins with more structure. I still use pastel and matte medium to map out the composition quickly but the first layer is much more tight, the colors are more restricted.

As you get a look below, you can still see the same technique of placing chalk pastel on the canvas covered in matte medium wash is still used but I stay more within "the lines".

The Orchard went from bright to more realistic colors. This painting was reverse, starting out muted then going bright! This garden definitely grows! Future blogs will add on the layers and colors. If you are curious about other completed works, check out more images on my portfolio.

End Chapter 1 - Painting -"The Orchard" Hot Lights

This snapshot demonstrates the softening of the shadows in the grass, tree trunks and apple blossoms. I soften and lighten the background using that technique of scrubbing mentioned in an earlier blog in order to give more air, more depth, more distance between the orchard in the foreground and the forest in the background.

The painting is finished!

Yet, there is one more step! Get it professionally photographed. This photo is a quick snapshot demonstrating technique but there are hot spots of light overhead and everything look yellow and dingy or dull, distorting the image somewhat. Wait till you see what a professional photographer can do. In a future blog, I will show you just how different the two can be. It will knock your socks off!

Visit my portfolio and see if you can tell which photos are professional and which are not in the oil painting section.

Contrast Give POP!

Another day at the Farmers Market and I am getting close to finishing the painting!

Adding more shadows, contrast really will make the blossoms POP!

Painting Apple Blossoms

A layer of darks are blended into the grass to soften the lights. Deep blues and purples are roughed into the tree blossoms. The challenge will be to soften that look into apple blossoms.

Orange Dances In The Orchard & Evergreens

Orange is a really important color in a landscape. Look for the oranges amongst the trees. All the sudden, the painting really starts to pop.

Blossoms bloom on the trees in layers of light and dark.

The background is soft while the grass and trees are still in the rough stage. Time to soften them up too. Do you see the orange dancing throughout the trees? Check out others in my portfolio.

3D! Painting Light & Shadow On the Grass

Once the orchard tree trunks are painted, another layer of pastel colored acrylic mixed with matte medium is scrubbed onto the grass to form highlights between trees.

More highlights.

Then back to shadows and air. My favorite part is putting air into paintings.

See other work on my website portfolio.

Adding Air, Light & Tree Trunks To Painting-The Orchard

Adding air in the evergreens is a delicate process of pale pastel colored acrylic paint thinned with matte medium. Apply a touch of paint on the paintbrush and scrub. This technique raises havoc with your brushes but the result is awesome.

Tree trunks are added with more light placed amongst the branches.

Now that the trees are in, time for light to play on the grass. Another Saturday and its time to paint across the alley from the Farmers Market. This experience is turning out to be quite fun. See more examples of finished work on my portfolio.

I See Evergreens, Now for The Orchard in Bloom

My portfolio is growing over the next two months.

Now for the layers for trees in bloom. Does it look like trees in bloom yet to you?

Next time...tree trunks. This painting is shaping up nicely. Lots more layers to go.

The Making of the Orchard Painting Takes To The Streets

The first layer is abstract, pastel chalk with matte medium, a foundation of bright rich color. Then comes the second layer using acrylic thinned with matte medium. I use the paints that are most translucent.

Every Saturday during the summer, the Farmers Market sets up just outside the back door of our studio space so we decide to take the painting to the streets each weekend for all to see the process.

I came up with the idea of painting BIG! It is absolutely a blast. Harmony came up with the idea of painting outside right across the alley from the Farmer's Market. (Marybeth, who you meet a few postings ago) is taking the picture.

The Orchard-painting in layers

This is the second layer to what will become an orchard scene.

Studioi Mattes!

I paint in a studio located in downtown Bellingham WA. I share the space with two lovely lovely studio mates. Compassionate, generous, caring, sincere people. I want you to meet Harmony (left) and Marybeth (right).

The first layer is a colorful abstract using chalk pastels then matte medium to create a wash of color. Several layers later the finished work is a dreamy yet familar place.

Clifford Creations - Artist Julia Clifford

Clifford Creations features my work. I am Julia Clifford and I am an artist. I paint. Check out my portfolio. I write and illustrate children books. And currently am working on a 60 minute documentary.