Julie draws on all shapes

The lively mermaid. The mermaid was originally black and gold, but Julie wanted to give it a sailor look with tattoos.

Creative corner for children | Søstrene Grene

Intriguing details. Julie has bought another mermaid table, patiently waiting to be renewed with colourful details.

How did you begin with painting on different shapes and items?

I feel like creativity comes and goes. At times, you are more inspired than others, but I quite clearly remember that it was in December just about two years ago, and I just had this itch to get started. I was staying at my parents' house, and I was bored. In the attic, I found a sort of bust, a large head, that I remember our speakers used to be placed on. Then I painted it, and it turned out quite nice. I have always had an affinity for the creative and painted and drawn a lot, but it was quite cool to do something a little different.

Colourful collection. The shapes and the functions are what Julie finds engaging.

Materials. First, spray with a base colour, draw with acrylic paint markers, and finish with a round of varnish. "I enjoy using spray varnish, so that the items will have a solid glossy surface," Julie says.

How is your creative process?

It's actually very intuitive. I like to begin by spraying a base colour, and then work from there. Sometimes, I see something that just speaks to me, and then I'll know exactly how I want to paint it. Other times, I will be given something by, for example, my mum or my sister-in-law, and then I'll modify the look to suit the recipient. I have given new life to a piggy bank, for example, for my nephew, and in that case I thought a lot about him as the recipient. Otherwise, I choose items based on their shape, as in the case of my mermaid table. Some will probably think it's rather ugly, but I think it was fun to play with, how to make it into more than a table, so that it could turn into an artwork with a function. I love to lay in bed and doodle, and I'm fond of having sounds in the background while I draw, such as a film or an audio book. Sometimes I just have to get going, though, as soon as I get the idea. Then I can even draw standing by the cooker hood, if need be.

Gifted. The baby is actually a porcelain mannequin from a clothing store, which Julie's mum found by chance.

Contrast. Julie realises that the baby may seem a tad eerie, but she likes the mix of the sweet and the scary.

Where do you find inspiration?

That is also very intuitive. I largely have my own style with lots of dots and lines. I used to draw with white marker on black paper and canvas, but over the years, more colours are present, and now I no longer settle for just two colours. I like to use contrasts, as I think it's more bold and jaunty. We can often be scared to use colour, but I don't think you should be intimidated. I love colours, and it can be seen in my clothes and in my home. Given that I work in a creative field, I'm also inspired daily for new colour combinations.

New life. Julie adores giving older items new life. Especially functional items such as the oil lamp on the left.

Finds. Julie has found many of the items in second-hand stores and on online marketplaces.

Where do you find materials?

Generally, I draw on everything with a smooth surface. I buy most of the items on online marketplaces, but it can get out of hand. Sadly, it's not like a pile of paper you can just stash away. So right now, I'm on a break from buying and drawing on things, as I simply don't have the room for it.

Everyday party. The disco ball was put up for a party, but Julie quickly made up her mind not to pack it up.

Favourite colours. The hall in the flat is made especially inviting with wall art and the favourite combination of pink and green.

View from the top. Julie spends a lot of her time in the living area, but in the sleeping loft, she has a new perspective of the flat as well as the day.

Fun addition. Julie hasn't painted the clowns herself, but she found them irresistibly endearing and had to buy three of them.

How have you achieved your style?

My style doesn't exactly come from anybody, but I have found a lot of inspiration in the artist Julie Njord. She works with black-and-white and contrasts a lot. I like the attitude and the method in her works. I'm inspired by contrast in colours as well as when something very cute and sweet meets something a little scary.

Assembled. Julie's home exudes colour and personality. Almost everything is inherited, bought used, or home-made.

Dainty and quirky. Julie's distinctive style is present everywhere in the flat.

Which work are you most proud of?

When my brother's girlfriend turned 30, I painted half a head for her. When I saw the head, I instantly knew how it should look, and the process just flowed, and she was very pleased with it, which is lovely. Otherwise, I'm quite fond of the baby. And the large head from my parents' attic. It's been sold now, but it was the first one I made, and there's something special about your first, after all.

A new touch. This hand has been sold, but Julie has a large hand in her basement which is her next project.

Dreams of the future. Julie would like to sell more of her works, and she dreams of having her own workshop.

Find inspiration in the things you already like. What does your home look like? What kind of clothes do you wear? There are a lot of ways in which you can implement something new in who you are and what you like.

Let yourself be free. Many may find it difficult to let their intuition steer. Do what feels natural to you.

Throw yourself into it. If it goes wrong, you can always start over.

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