LOVEBIRDS BY JULIAN
Like me, Julian started showing signs of artistic passion since he could hold a crayon. A very, very early age. His artist grandmother, my mom, was a wonderful influence. She helped me a lot when he was a child with watching him and they would paint wonderful things in watercolor together. One of my very favorite possessions is a water color that she oversaw him making. The painting is so charming and sweet. If the house was on fire, it would be one of the first things I grabbed on my way out the door. The entire thing came from his own imagination with no suggestions from my mom….. just the loving encouragement that she gave him.
Original watercolor by Julian Cotoranu
It’s wonderful to have such a deep passion in common with both your mother and then your son. It’s a great blessing that God has given me. Truly. The gift of having a calling in this life is huge and neither I or my son take it for granted. This shared gratitude bonds us strongly. Beyond that, we are never at a loss for words with one another because we share so many technical things in common. We can talk about how this paint or that paint worked etc., enjoying each other’s proficiency of the professional jargon and lingo.
“Lovebirds” is pencil, watercolor, and ink. It will be hung in my dining room and a place of honor. What it means to me is a beautiful reward of love from this wonderful young man to whom I have devoted so much.
“Lovebirds” original by Julian Cotoranu
“I painted this for you for your birthday as a tribute to the love that surrounds you in your life.” - Julian Cotoranu
Julian explained that the inspiration came from the recent revelation that I experienced in my own work. I told him how, during the early Covid days during lock down, I needed to find a way to paint to help me through the anxiety I was feeling. That is when I started painting simple blue flowers that felt so calming to create. I called it my breathe series and it revolutionized the way I approach my work. I now paint coming from a place of gratitude and joy rather than a place of self therapy. It has made me enjoy my much more now than I have ever in my entire long history of being an artist.
Inspired by my story, Julian decided to start a painting coming from the same place. He said he thought about the love that I put into mine and he wanted to do the same thing in this piece. Julian hasn’t taken any structured courses, but he is an avid reader and researcher. He self educates very well. To the point where he actually makes his own paints. He is currently working on a series of watercolor paints which he’s hopes to sell on eBay that he grinds from actual mineral rocks.
“Paint like there’s no one watching. Paint your joy. And on days when you don’t feel like painting or drawing, do it anyway.” - Christine Moore
He has helped me set up my booth at art fairs a good number of times. Attending more shows helps him to get better acquainted with interacting with patrons. Julian is planning to pursue this as a career and he also has interests in the culinary and botanical arts.