JUSTBREE ART HISTORY 2017

Welp, 2016 was amazing, and 2017 was such a wild ride I didn’t even know what was coming. The photos below show the order throughout the year. Any art I left out doesn’t mean I like them any less, just tried to showcase the evolution of the art process in my experience. The one above was painted for Sunset Beach Elementary here on the North Shore for a charity helping raise art funds for the kids schooling.  

In the first few months I was just putting a lot of art out there on Instagram and some people started noticing. I did some interviews and people were reaching out in support. Something I didn’t expect and I am so grateful for it. The photo above was from an interview I did with a Japanese magazine.

In January I took on my biggest commission for a client Jess. I loved this piece and look back at it often.  

A tryptich done for a client. I took on a lot of commissions at the end of 2016 and maybe over-swamped myself with work, but it was all so worth it. I learned so much. 

Back in Hawaii (I bounced from California to Hawaii at least once a month to paint in both areas) to start painting for my first art show with a good friend Matt Beacham! 

Back to California to finish a massive commission for the Harris family. I get many requests for pieces to look like this. But this is one of a kind ;) 

By March I had my first art show with Matt. I recommend that to any new artist showcasing their work for the first time in public, to do it with another artist. It took the pressure off of me to bring all the people in and to share the space with an amazing artist. 

So grateful to my friends at the SurfJack who helped me kickstart all of this and have always been a huge support to me. This is where I first met Trace & Yohei of Greenroom Gallery and they snatched me up. 

First board I painted. Sadly it broke after three times. You live and you learn. 

Practiced some colors I wasn’t used to and loved it. I have been meaning to come back to this color scheme soon. 

In April it’s off to Sri Lanka! I was invited to do an Artist Residency for Ceylon Sliders and that was the highlight of my year for sure.  

The Indian Ocean (heart eyes). 

All we did while we were there: surf, eat, and art.  

Starting some pieces for the art show/suite rooms.  

Had to source a lot of supplies there in the country and it was a great way to see more of Sri Lanka and get to know the culture more. 

Wallah! 

Then me and four other girls hopped over to the Maldives for some much needed relaxation. 

Thank you W hotel for hosting us. 

Around this time, I did an art show at Greenroom showcasing the second board I painted and other artworks. I also spoke at a Lecutre Series at the college I graduated from teaching some aspects of an entrepreneurial life.  

Meeting my art collectors is one of my favorite things. 

Not art related, but when summer started rolling around, I wanted to shave the back of my head. The bottom part of my hair would always get tangled from surfing and getting rid of it was so refreshing.  

Back to California and stopped by to visit one of my favorite pieces still.  

In June I did work with Adidas. You can see more in the collaboration section of my blog. 

Back to Hawaii, leaving this finished artwork to be picked up from San Clemente.  

July: shaved my head. Hey girls, you should experience this. The most liberating, best thing I have ever done for myself. I had been wanting to do it for a long time and I finally did it. I loved figuring out how to love myself with this new do. I kept this haircut for 6 months and now I want to get pregnant. Honestly I’m a little afraid of feeling super chubby with super short hair so it’s back on the growing train.  

A triptych for a law office. A gold moth found its way into the drying resin and I had to fix.  

Collab I did with Reef girls.  

Back to California to complete this piece. I love this color scheme. 

Off to NYC for a silent auction with Art for Joy with Joyful Hearts Foundation. The couple that bought this piece, yeah we are good friends now. I love when art brings people together. 

October comes, and Roxy and I are off to France to do video/photo work for the Roxy company.  

Back home to finish up my last commission of the year.  

Last creative piece of the year.  

2017 was a whirlwind of growth and setbacks that inhibited more growth. It was a year where I could start to feel the footing in my art practice and take that learning into 2018. As it was my second year of my art career I understood I was/am still so new to all of this. One thing I knew was I was confident in where I stood with my creativity, my uniqueness and my place in the art world. There are many resin artist and artists in general starting up because they see others on Instagram doing it, and I applaud them. Everyone deserves to explore their creative side and I am so grateful for all those who have contacted me telling them I was their initial source of inspiration to create. The world is wide enough for all of us creators, just find your originality and be confident in who you are. You shine when you are being yourself. Thank you 2017 for teaching me that lesson.