News

Finding Inspiration in the Everyday: How the World Around Us Sparks Creativity
Finding Inspiration in the Everyday: How the World Around Us Sparks Creativity
From colorful Christmas ornaments and lush office plants to unexpected color combinations and overlooked details, inspiration often begins with simply paying attention.   Have you ever noticed how something ordinary... Read more...
A Week of Wonder: Why Curiosity Matters in Creativity
A Week of Wonder: Why Curiosity Matters in Creativity
Staying curious, looking closer, and leaving room for imagination.   There are certain things I hope I never outgrow.   The feeling of looking up at the night sky and wondering what... Read more...
The Art of Slowing Down
The Art of Slowing Down
Making space to pause, reflect, and create.  There are so many moments in life when we are moving from one thing to the next.  The next email. The next appointment. The next... Read more...
When a Story Finds a Life Beyond the Page
When a Story Finds a Life Beyond the Page
There’s something interesting that happens when you finish a  book.   You close the cover.   The story is technically over.   But sometimes, it doesn’t feel over at all.   You might still... Read more...
Finding Comfort in the stars: The story behind Nelly and the Night Sky
Finding Comfort in the stars: The story behind Nelly and the Night Sky
What if even in the darkest nights we could find reminders that we are never truly alone? Nelly and the Night Sky explores the gentle space between missing someone and... Read more...
Cohesive Collections
Cohesive Collections
How I Build Cohesive Pattern Collections Creating a pattern is one thing. Creating a collection of patterns that feels intentional, connected, and visually cohesive is something completely different. When I’m... Read more...
Saying What Words Cannot
Saying What Words Cannot
What we say without saying anything at all As artists, we often think about storytelling in terms of what we can see. We draw a character, create a setting, add... Read more...
Finding Your Artistic Style Without Chasing Trends
Finding Your Artistic Style Without Chasing Trends
Inspiration vs. Imitation As an artist, it is natural to look toward others for inspiration. We sit admiring the work of others, saving images to mood boards, and pinpointing exactly... Read more...
Art meets Architecture
Art meets Architecture
What Architects Can Teach Illustrators About Composition At first glance, architecture and children's book illustration may seem like two completely different creative fields. One focuses on designing buildings that are... Read more...
How Nature Connects to Creativity
How Nature Connects to Creativity
The Connection Between Nature and Imagination Nature has always been one of the greatest sources of inspiration for artists, writers, and storytellers. Long before digital tools and endless online references,... Read more...
The Anatomy of Expressive Animal Characters
The Anatomy of Expressive Animal Characters
Creating Animal Characters That Readers Connect With Some of the most memorable children's book characters aren't remembered because they are perfectly drawn. They're remembered because they make us feel something.... Read more...
Sketching in The Age of AI
Sketching in The Age of AI
Why Sketching Still Matters in the Age of AI Artificial intelligence is changing the creative world in exciting ways. From generating ideas to streamlining workflows, AI has opened up new... Read more...
Making The Most of 32 Pages
Making The Most of 32 Pages
What It Was Like Writing A 32 Page Children's Book One of the biggest surprises for many first-time children's book authors is discovering that a picture book isn't simply a... Read more...
From Paint to Pixels
From Paint to Pixels
How I Turn My Watercolor Paintings into Digital Surface Designs Everything begins with a brushstroke, whether it's made with a physical paintbrush or a digital one through an Apple Pencil.... Read more...
Children's Book Illustration Styles
Children's Book Illustration Styles
The Beauty of Finding Your Own Artistic Voice When it comes to children’s books, illustration style is about so much more than simply creating something beautiful. It becomes part of... Read more...
Inside My Children’s Book Illustration Process
Inside My Children’s Book Illustration Process
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Nelly and the Night Sky. From the first spark of an idea to the final illustration, discover how emotion, storytelling, character... Read more...
The Idea I Refused to Let Go: Nelly and the Night Sky
The Idea I Refused to Let Go: Nelly and the Night Sky
Discover the heartfelt true story behind Nelly and the Night Sky; a children's book about grief, love, family, hope, and finding light after loss. Read more...
The Story Behind The Awakening Journal
The Story Behind The Awakening Journal
A gentle invitation to slow down, color, reflect, and come back to yourself. Some projects begin as simple ideas. Others come from a deeper feeling, a quiet pull toward creating... Read more...
From Sketch to Final Illustration
From Sketch to Final Illustration
Discover the hidden process behind bringing an illustration to life, from rough sketches to final details. In this behind-the-scenes look at Nelly and the Night Sky, explore how emotion, color,... Read more...
More Than Just Color
More Than Just Color
Before we understand an illustration, we feel it. Discover how color, psychology, contrast, and visual storytelling shape emotional connection in art. Exactly why certain images resonate with us just a... Read more...
The Awakening Journal
The Awakening Journal
A mindful coloring and reflection journal designed to inspire creation, comfort, and connection. Featuring guided prompts, hand drawn illustrations, and calming mindfulness exercises, The Awakening Journal offers a peaceful space... Read more...
Leaving 2025 and Entering 2026: What a New Year Means to Me
Leaving 2025 and Entering 2026: What a New Year Means to Me
Reflecting on recovery, rebuilding after cancer, and stepping into 2026 with creative goals—finishing Nelly and the Telly, growing outreach, and joyful art partnerships. Read more...
Sketch to Surface – My Pattern Process
Sketch to Surface – My Pattern Process
Take a behind-the-scenes look at how I transform a single sketch into a seamless surface pattern—from rough ideas to polished repeat. Read more...
Top 10 Tools Every Surface Pattern Designer Should Use
Top 10 Tools Every Surface Pattern Designer Should Use
Discover the must-have tools that make surface pattern design easier, more efficient, and a whole lot more fun—from sketch to seamless repeat. Read more...
🎨 Need a Creative Boost? Here Are 5 Fun Ways I Spark New Drawing Ideas
🎨 Need a Creative Boost? Here Are 5 Fun Ways I Spark New Drawing Ideas
🎨 5 Ways I Generate Ideas of What to Draw Sometimes inspiration flows like magic. Other times? You’ve got to coax it out with color and curiosity. Here are my... Read more...
✨ The Art of Versatility: Building Collections that Sell
✨ The Art of Versatility: Building Collections that Sell
Discover how I design versatile art collections that tell a story and sell across multiple markets—without losing their creative magic. Read more...
☀️ Why I Design for Everyday Joy
☀️ Why I Design for Everyday Joy
Discover the heart behind my art! In this post, I’m sharing why I design for everyday joy—from bold patterns to meaningful color stories—and how beauty in the little things inspires... Read more...
🎨A Day in My Studio – What It's Really Like Being a Designer
🎨A Day in My Studio – What It's Really Like Being a Designer
Step into the real day-to-day life of a surface designer. Discover the balance of creativity, structure, and studio magic at Julie M Studios. Read more...
🍉 From Slice to Studio: The Story Behind One in a Melon
🍉 From Slice to Studio: The Story Behind One in a Melon
Celebrate summer joy with Julie M Studios' One in a Melon collection—playful, colorful designs inspired by sweet seasonal moments. Perfect for home decor, stationery, and textile licensing. Read more...
🍋 Lemon Zest: A Splash of Sunshine in Every Stroke
🍋 Lemon Zest: A Splash of Sunshine in Every Stroke
There’s something about lemons that just radiates joy. Their bright yellow skin, the zingy burst of citrus, the way they catch the light—it’s like they’re made to lift your mood.... Read more...
🌬️ From Aruba to Artwork: The Story Behind Find the Wind
🌬️ From Aruba to Artwork: The Story Behind Find the Wind
"Find the Wind" Collection by Julie M Studios captures the spirit of Aruba’s ocean breezes through vibrant, movement-inspired artwork. Born from a single sketch on the beach, this collection blends... Read more...
Everyday Update: Finding Magic in the Little Things
Everyday Update: Finding Magic in the Little Things
Celebrating the everyday magic of life and honoring a dear friend whose love for butterflies—and people—taught me to see beauty in the little things. Read more...
Building My Brand
Building My Brand
Julie M Studios is all about vibrant, expressive, and nature-inspired artwork that brings joy and color into everyday life. My designs are deeply influenced by the ocean, beach, sea life,... Read more...
Saying Goodbye to Lowe Mill: Embracing My Home Studio
Saying Goodbye to Lowe Mill: Embracing My Home Studio
Discover the journey behind my transition from a vibrant Lowe Mill studio to a thoughtfully designed home studio. Explore how specialized workspaces, from sewing and watercolor tables to state-of-the-art printers,... Read more...
2024 - A Year of Awakening and Renewal
2024 - A Year of Awakening and Renewal
As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2023, I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions – hope, apprehension, and determination. 2024 promised to be a year of rediscovery, a... Read more...
One Thing You May Not Know You Need: A Plan 🌱🌍🌿
One Thing You May Not Know You Need: A Plan 🌱🌍🌿
Discover the power of having a plan to achieve your personal or professional goals. Learn step-by-step strategies, real-life examples, and actionable tips to create a roadmap for success today! Read more...