33 Comments
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Judith Burnett's avatar

I've always done everything with background music. Since I was growing up in middle/high school and beyond. It has always been something to calm me. Get me through the things that needed getting done and then to wind down. It has always been an influence into my inner self as I go through each day. Can't live without it now! Love the way you groove...

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juliette crane's avatar

That’s beautiful! I just love how you’ve used music! My husband always uses earbuds and I love music going in the background. I wonder if even that slight change would make a difference 🎨✨🌸

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Cheryl O Art's avatar

A fascinating experiment! Your work is gorgeous too.

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juliette crane's avatar

Thank you! ❤️✨ it’s become a new creative project for me, listening and seeing where it takes me and my work.

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Tracey Fenner's avatar

Lovely artwork Juliette. As an ex dancer I love music, gets my creativity flowing but I also very much enjoy the silence, I think it’s the balance of both that works for me 😊

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juliette crane's avatar

I love that! Sometimes I find myself dancing while I paint and that’s when I know I’m really in the flow!

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Tracey Fenner's avatar

I bet!

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Sunshine's avatar

I can see how music can inspire and influence. I hadn't thought about pairing music to a particular creative stage. I have noticed that sometimes I put music on and then get so immersed in the creative flow I forget it's playing. I may need to do some experimenting myself.

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juliette crane's avatar

Definitely experiment! That’s how it started for me, realizing I was getting lost in the creative flow, and then wondering how I might use it 🌸✨ let me know if you uncover anything! xx

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Sunshine's avatar

I will let you know 😊. I was just thinking that even if I become "unaware" of the music, it could still be an influence subconsciously 🤔.

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juliette crane's avatar

Definitely! I found it really affected me subconsciously so it’s been a wonderful element to use to my advantage. Someone else mentioned they use scent as well. I’m excited to try that too 💛

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Beth Kempton's avatar

Somehow knowing what was playing (or not) when you created each painting adds another layer to the piece

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juliette crane's avatar

Yes! I love that! The non physical components to something visual.

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Sasha Fitzgerald's avatar

Your work is so beautiful! I listen to podcasts mostly while painting. I like focusing on the podcast so my creative side isn’t thinking as much. ☺️💜🌷✨

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juliette crane's avatar

I love that! I don’t usually listen to podcasts or audiobooks while painting, generally just on my walks, but I’m going to try it and see where it leads. Any favorite podcasts? I’m doing an interview on Monday on one of my favorites called Rebloom (it’s a super inspiring art podcast) 🌸✨

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Elizabeth's avatar

What a lovely thoughtful piece (and paintings) I also use music for different parts of the process - silence and scent (usually incense) get me started but music can help if I need to just do it and stop (over)thinking. I haven't painted for a while but I feel your essay pulling me back to the process...

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juliette crane's avatar

I haven’t tried working with different scents but that’s one way I’ve learned to calm my nervous system so I think it could really do something beautiful while painting too! Thank you! If you haven’t seen them yet, i have two free classes that are all about play and easing back into painting in case you need a little something to get started 🌸✨🎨 https://www.juliettecrane.com/freebies/

So nice to connect with you!!!

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Elizabeth's avatar

Likewise - lovely to connect - I will check out your free classes 💗 It's great that you have learned to calm your nervous system with scent - it can be so powerful and allowing it to take us to a different space, one of calm and safety, is just one of the benefits (ha- you can tell I'm an aromatherapist!!)

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juliette crane's avatar

That is beautiful you’re an aromatherapist! Breath work and sound and smell have absolutely been so helpful for calm 💕

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Elizabeth's avatar

💗🌸

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Suzi Blu's avatar

Your paintings are music💛

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juliette crane's avatar

Thank you, Suzi! It’s lovely to see you here on Substack! I’ve been a huge admirer of your work for so long! 💛

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Suzi Blu's avatar

Same. I adore your work! 😍

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juliette crane's avatar

Heart soaring ❤️💕 thank you!!! Magic ✨

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Erin Reinholtz's avatar

This is intriguing, and sound is so powerful. What a neat idea to contemplate its influence on the art-making process. I find silence nice in the beginning, too, but also enjoy 70’s folk and classic rock. Also, audiobooks in the later stages of the painting.

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juliette crane's avatar

I haven’t tried listening to an audio book while painting in ages! I remember listening to Neil gaiman’s Anansi Boys when I first started painting in my basement in 2008. I think I’ll give it a try again and see where it leads. Do you have any favorite audio books to listen to while painting?

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Erin Reinholtz's avatar

I listen to all kinds, but I prefer fiction or story-based nonfiction while painting because my brain gets too caught up in anything with data while painting. 😂 A good cozy mystery pairs well with painting!

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juliette crane's avatar

Yes! I think Joyce is my favorite! I love her journal entries ✨

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juliette crane's avatar

I love them so much! I just saw there’s a new one coming out soon (as of yet untitled) ✨

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Erin Reinholtz's avatar

That’s super exciting! Ron is my fav, so I am looking forward to more of his persona. 😆

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juliette crane's avatar

I love a good cozy mystery! Seriously the thing I’m obsessed with reading right now. I can’t stop! Have you read Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series or Ian Moore’s Follet Valley Mystery series? I’ll be in France next month so getting Ian’s new book for that trip ✨🌸

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Erin Reinholtz's avatar

Yes! Actually, the first two Thursday Murder books are ones I just listened to last month. 😄

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juliette crane's avatar

Thanks for restacking @The Creative Visionary 🌸🦋

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