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Works in Progress: Julie Ahmad's New Portrait Series

Updated: Jul 20, 2022

Every so often, I get the urge to try something outside of abstracts. Recently, I had visions of creating a portrait series celebrating and honoring women.

This past March, I signed up for a weekend workshop in California with Kara Bullock founder of the Kara Bullock School of Art. I flew out from ATX to learn as much as I could about portrait techniques from the best. I came home with my very first portrait on paper [well, since high school drawing classes]. It felt fresh and exciting!
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As soon as I moved into my new studio/lady cave, I was finally free to create uninhibited. "Eve" was the first thing that took over the canvas. She didn't have a name at first, but, I mean, she looks like an "Eve" and is, hopefully, the first of many.

Combining my painting techniques and what I learned from the weekend workshop, a portrait with elements of my black + blue series came out. Then, I was inspired to create a black + blue portrait series.

My First Portrait of the Series

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She's always ready for her close-up!

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[I've also started adding my signature! It is something I've been hesitant to do, but I'm learning to take more pride in my work.]

When I tried out a couple of other faces, I found myself struggling a little with certain angles and features. So, I put charcoal pencil to sketchbook paper, and with enough practice, I was ready to hop back on the canvas.
portrait art, mixed media portraits, portraits, painting, art, women in art, female form, art for sale, paintings, mixed media art

portrait art, mixed media portraits, portraits, painting, art, women in art, female form, art for sale, paintings, mixed media art

portrait art, mixed media portraits, portraits, painting, art, women in art, female form, art for sale, paintings, mixed media art
Since then, I also felt inspired to jump back into large-scale abstracts and already finished "She Finally Came," "Men-On-Pause," and "Funfetti." The great thing about trying something new is getting fresh perspectives that reinvigorate all of my work.

Stay tuned!



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