Hey my dear friends..it’s been a while since I posted. I hope you’ve all been well!
For those of you who don’t know what’s been going on, I had major surgery in December that took a while to recover from. Without sharing too many details: I’m much better now, but a few things in my life have changed.
A big thank you to everyone who sent me an email or left a comment – I read them all with a smile on my face, even if I wasn’t able to reply. Also a big thank you to everyone who supported me with a donation or course purchase. You are amazing people and I appreciate you all! <3
So… I’m really not sure how to start, I feel like I’ve unlearned how to write blog posts and there’s a lot in my head. I guess this will be a very unstructured entry.
But okay, let’s talk about making art and drawing. Not entirely surprising, I’ve not been sketching so much lately. You could say I’ve gotten a bit rusty – I guess a few of my drawing muscles have disappeared, along with some strength and muscles in the rest of my body. So as I’m training to regain my range of every day movements, I’m also doing a lot of observational training and drawing warmups. Lots of really awful sketches with awkward lines! But I’m happy to be back at it. I’ve missed drawing and mixing pigments.
I’ve also been using a very basic little sketching kit in the last few months (very limited setup for portability/weight reasons, you can see it in the sketch below), and I’m ready to change back to my everyday sketching palette again soon (which, despite all my attempts at minimalism and curation, still has 20 colors, haha – but they’re the right colors for me).
Here’s what I have planned for the spring and summer:
- Reactivating this blog (and my Youtube channel)…
- Publishing a new course that I was working on before I went to hospital. It’s all about developing (and keeping!) a sketching habit, full of helpful tips and created with the intent to get you started with regular art journaling. I feel like I need to take some of that advice myself, so I’m really looking forward to that course, lol! I’m not decided if there will be a live version, but if so, it will come in April/May.
- Hopefully a run-through of my Botanical Sketching course in May or June with live feedback from me.
- More sketching adventures, hopefully I can sketch outdoors again at some point this year (I’m not allowed to carry a lot of weight right now)
For what it’s worth, this pause from normal life and the daily art business stuff has really given me some clarity. Plus probably the confrontation with the fact that this one life we have is really fragile, and can’t be taken for granted. I feel much more connected to what I want to do and what I want less of in my personal and work life. I’m much more comfortable with taking things more slowly, and escaping some of the rat race aspects of being a creative these days.
But I’ve also lost this personal “everything is ok” autopilot we need to get through our life. It’s weird. I’m hopeful I will stabilize again over the next few months. I’ll probably explore the topic of clarity and feeling connected to myself in more detail in another post, if you’re interested.
For now, I hope you’ve had a good start on your creative projects for this year, and I hope you’ll still follow along on my sketching journey. I’ve missed interacting with you all a lot, I hope I’ll not be overwhelmed by this step back into more normalcy!
Have a few cozy Easter days, everyone! I’ll be back with a more regular art-related post soon.
Liebe Julia, das freut mich riesig, dass es für dich wieder bergauf geht. Dann wollen wir doch das schöne Wetter benutzen rausgehen, nicht zu weit, aber auch direkt vor den eigenen Füßen gibt es zumeist Botanik. 🙂
I am SO happy to hear from you, Julia! Welcome back and I hope you’ve had a full recovery and feel better, and feel happier and perfectly grand, too.
Liebe Julia,
Sie sind meine Lieblingskünstlerin/Instruktorin, und es ist sehr nett von Ihnen, uns zu sagen, dass es Ihnen schon wieder besser geht. Genießen Sie das Frühlingswetter!
Gute Besserung!
Kate
Dear Julia,
Receiving your latest email brought me so much joy! Last year, before your surgery, I went through something difficult and needed a lot of time to rest and recover. Time with Jesus, prayer, watercoloring and Journaling were all a big comfort and therapy for me. I love how raw, organic and direct you write, and no doubt you’ve had a lot of reflection time and if you lead, please share as you recover. Your painting and Journaling are still a big inspiration to me and encouraged me to sign up for classes under WildWonder to maybe one day teach art Journaling where I live. You will be in my prayers as you continue to heal
I am recovering from brain surgery and much of what you are describing much of what I have been going through, though I am much improved, I am still much slower in functioning. My first sketch was about a month at the request of a well meaning friend.( She wanted to see what I would do after the surgery). I sketched a bench under a tree. It was small and I was exhausted with the effort. I just now interpret it as a scene of waiting. Waiting to be better. My very best to you and no worries re slow. It gets better
What a nice surprise this morning ! Welcome back, dear Julia, I wish you a complete recovery very soon, I can just imagine the joy you felt in publishing here on your blog again ! Happy Easter to you !
Christiane, Montreal, Canada
Welcome back! I’ve missed your inspiring posts. Do take care of yourself and be well.
Hello, Julia,
You are an inspiring woman! Your photo portrait at the close of this newsletter emanates such a lovely feeling of peace and authenticity.
May your current journey into full recovery continue to bring you clarity, insight, and inspiration. Trust the positive ripple effect your journey is having on so many others!
MarthaElin
Good morning from Ontario, Canada. I have missed your posts. Take the time you need. We will all be here when you have fully recovered. Happy Easter.
Lisa F
Julia- So glad that you are better and able to blog again- I have missed your posts and courses! I hope you continue to gain strength daily and I am looking forward to more courses and videos.
I was so delighted to see news of your blogpost in my email. I hope that you take things as slowly as you need to and take care of yourself above all. I hope that whatever you embark on helps the healing process too. I find your blogs and videos so good for my own well-being. I am a big fan of your art and philosophy and will stay tuned.
Glad that you are feeling well enough to post again. I have missed you. Look forward to seeing what you are creating and sharing. Wishing you all the best.
So very pleased that you are on the mend and feeling better Julia! Like everyone, I have missed your inspiring posts and – well, just hearing from you!
Best wishes for a speedy return to health
Wonderful to have you back Julia. Greetings from Australia xxxx
I’m also so glad that you are better and feeling better! I think of you often, as your course was the thing that finally helped me become able to draw; and I enjoy your blog and your Mastodon posts.
Welcome back, Julia! I have been thinking of you so often and hoping you are recovering. I was so happy to see your name in my email this morning. I have been practicing watercolor every day for 35 days and hope to achieve 100 days and then more. I am not sure I have seen much improvement yet, but I know I must be improving if only in my control of the brush. I look forward to taking another of your courses! It is so good to have you back!
Happy Easter, and welcome back Julia. God speed your recovery, too. Your new art adventures sounds very exciting and welcoming to see what you do. I surely could benefit from your new upcoming class as well. Blessings
I’m very happy go see you are on the mend and posting again! I can relate to your loss of the “everything is ok” autopilot. I had a major medical issue last year and, although resolved, it changes one’s perspective about that. Hopefully not forever. Your post today is an encouragement.
Welcome back, and I’m glad to hear you are on the mend. Life has a tendency to disrupt our best plans and cause us to think/rethink our priorities. Been there! Take care, and I’m looking forward to future creative adventures.
Welcome back, wishing you continued peaceful recovery! It’s so nice to hear your updates as I had just been thinking about how you were doing this week. Take good care!
Oh Julia! I was so very happy to see your post! I have missed you and am glad you are doing well. Looking forward to more when you are up for it! Praying for full healing and strength for you! I’m taking an introductory level German class that starts mid April.
We were wondering how you were doing from your last post, happy to see you back in our inbox. Sending peace and all best wishes to do whatever you feel is right for you in any moment. And also a hug 🙂
I’m so glad to see you’re back and recovering! I hope everything with your health continues to improve, and look forward to what you’ll write about next.
–Sarah
Glad to see your blog post in my inbox today! Get well soon. Can’t wait to year your soothing voice in the background while you are making art
Hallo Julia, ich habe mich so gefreut, deinen Blog wiederzusehen. Schön, dass du wieder auf dem Weg der Besserung bist. Grüße aus Spanien.
Welcome back, Julia…it was lovely to find you in my inbox this morning. I hope you continue to heal and recover well and yes, take your time with things. Life may be short, though it’s made more full not by the amount of things with which we we fill our days, but the quality and meaningfulness of them.
Julia, it was wonderful to see your email today! I think of you often and have been sending you ‘get well’ wishes. Hope you have a lovely Easter weekend filled with all the things that bring you joy!
It was a pleasure to receive your blog post today. I am especially happy for what it represents – your recovery. I am sure that you have had a difficult winter, but I am glad that things are turning around. We have missed you. I have had a busy winter focusing on my music. I am now back focusing more on my art. I have been referring back to my notes from the sketching class I took with you last year. I hope I will be able to take another one of your classes again soon, but take it slow, so you can put your illness behind you. We can be patient with you. Happy Easter!
Dear Julia,
You’ve brought me such joy in the last few months as I’ve been learning to sketch from your lessons. My father, now long deceased, was a painter and illustrator. Learning to draw at age 71 has brought me closer to him, and for that I am so grateful.
Glad to hear you’re on the post-surgery rise. If you’re like me, you’re finding recovery frustrating. Maybe it can also be interesting? A way to learn more about your body and its brain?
Bienvenida otra vez. Se te echa de menos, espero que estés muy recuperada de cuerpo y mente. Un abrazo.
Liebe Julia, schön dass Sie auf dem Weg der Besserung sind. Weiterhin alles Gute und Glück für die Zukunft. Liebe Grüße Monika
Hello Julia, it is such a treat to find your message this morning. I have thought of you often the past few months and wondered how you were progressing. Please take care of yourself as you continue this journey!
Dear Julia,
Nice to hear from you, I hope your recovery goes well, but take the time necessary and don’t force yourself and soon you ‘ll be up and about again!
Take care,big huggs!
Dear Julia, you have been in my thoughts often recently and it was like being given a present to see a message from you this morning and to hear that you are recovering your health. Such a beautiful time of year, too, with spring on the way. I hope you will continue to be able to recover at a gentle pace, and I look forward so much to your future posts. With heartfelt good wishes.
Happy to hear you are healing and returning to some creative work. I may have been binge watching a few of your YouTube videos while you were away. Can’t wait to hear about the new class.
Happy Easter
Dear Julia,
It is wonderful to hear from you and especially heartwarming to read the previous thirty comments. You have gathered a lovely circle of supportive people who, like the stars in the sky, are there for you whether you see us or not. Best wishes!
Laura
Welcome back, Julia! I’m so happy that you’re on the mend. Happy Easter!
How lovely to hear from you again. Be patient with yourself.
Dear Julia,
I’m glad to hear about your life and that everything is getting better.
I wish you a complete recovery and may life give you everything that makes you happy.
A strong hug!
Manuela
Lovely to have you back – even if minimally. Nothing wrong with that. That nine block grid of color at the top of the post, so perfect to express what one needs to do when going through a slow recovery – stay simple and do what you can, not what you think you should. Blessings upon you. 🙂
It is so nice to hear from you! I am glad you are doing better, and I pray you will continue to feel better each day. It is such a blessing to receive your emails that always inspire me to sketch, and try to do my best at it. You have such a calming voice with your tutorials, which seems to take away that pressure to be perfect! You truly have the gift of teaching! Take care of yourself, and I’m wishing you many blessings this Easter. Thank you !
Hullo Julia from way down south in Australia,
So nice to see your post this morning. No matter what sort and at what age, ill-health is usually such a confronting surprise especially when you’re young – compared to my 75yrs. It changes your approach to life and what really matters – as you have discovered.
I have been reading your blog for many years as I very much enjoy your relaxed approach. I feel very peaceful after I’ve read it. I also like how you come across as ‘one of us’ – not a superior, more accomplished educator, but as a genuine, caring, everyday person who enjoys helping and relating to others.
Thank you for all the time, effort and creativity you put into creating your blog.
I wish you very good health and a speedy journey to get there.
It’s wonderful to hear from you again Julia. You’ve been a huge inspiration to me, you’re the reason I started nature journaling (in my late 60’s) and enjoying the beauty of my own yard as well as my community. Please take all the time you need to heal and remember we’re here for you.
Hi Julie, I wish you a full recovery and full energy to life, sketching, drawing, painting and writing!
Hi Julia,
So happy to hear you are feeling better. I hope the year ahead is filled with lots of nature time, sketching and good health.
Dear Julia, I was so blessed to hear that you are doing better. Life certainly is fragile and we take one day at a time. I have been struggling with health issues health issues for 6 years now and for the last three because of where to go and severe dizziness, had to give up my sketching. still don’t know what’s going on so it’s been really hard. but I look forward to your posts even if I can’t sketch because it gives me hope that I can get back into it someday. go slowly, I’m praying for you!
oops, vertigo, not where to go
oops, vertigo, not “where to go”
Welcome back! Looking forward to seeing more from you in my inbox and on YouTube. 🙂 Take care of yourself!
Fantastic !!! …..your back! Sooo glad. My husband and I were just wondering about you the other day, as we were greatly saddened to hear your news of last January. And now here you are. You are special, and one of the most well-balanced persons I know of today. You’ll be back in full form soon, I just know it! BTW, your Owl sketch was just wonderful ! Also, will be purchasing your lovely ‘Bird Class’ soon as things slow down a bit here in South Florida. Until them, It must be very nice to know you are well loved by so many people around the world. See you soon! 🙂
I was thinking about you recently and hoping you’re doing okay. I’m glad to hear both that you’re recovering and that you’re allowing yourself to take things slow. I too hope you’ll not be overwhelmed by the return to more normalcy. In case you need to hear it (can we ever hear it enough?), take your time. People like me that appreciate your content will still be here.
I haven’t had the chance to leave a reply on each of your kind comments – in case anyone reads this far: thank you all so much for being here and supporting me! It has been overwhelming and overjoying (is that a word, lol?).
Many many thanks to everyone who reads and contributes to this blog!!