Spotlight: Adeline-Julie Bee, Watercolor and Surface Pattern Artist

Adeline-Julie Bee creates her own watercolor inks for painting. Her paintings are inspired by nature and her daily walks. The patterns and designs in her paintings are translated into fabric designs, note cards and home dec items.

How did you get started making art? Why do you do it?

I started very young with different mediums like drawing, painting, pottery, dance, theater, and violin. I tried so many forms of expression when I was little. Then came school, and I followed a more traditional path. I leaned toward literature. When it was time to choose my higher education, I naturally gravitated toward artistic fields like storytelling and comic strips, filmmaking and editing, and textile design.

Why do I do it, or why did I do it back then? At the time, it was mostly about doing activities—I also did a lot of sports. I think my parents signed me up for things, and we’d see what I liked or didn’t like.

When it came to my studies, it was really out of interest and curiosity for the fields themselves. I never thought about it as a profession but as a way to learn something I was passionate about.

Now, I do it because it’s a breath of fresh air, it’s my entire world—it’s vital.

When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?

Since my childhood. But I’ve gone through phases where I was more interested in pragmatic or organizational things and phases where I was very creative. It’s as if there has always been a natural pull toward creative pursuits, but it never seemed like a realistic path for a life. At that time, the artistic journey wasn’t viewed in the same way. And all I kept hearing was people telling me, “You’ll starve if you pursue this career.” And in a way I believed them.

Why watercolor?

Because it’s the medium I struggled with the most, and therefore, the one that brought me the most satisfaction. I also have a fascination with watercolor that I don’t feel with acrylic, oil, or gouache. I’m also drawn to colored pencils and soft pastels.

When did you start making your own inks?

I started about 4 or 5 years ago. But this interest also comes from my background in textile design, where I learned to create indigo dye baths, print with inks, and work with pH modifiers.

Tell us more about how you translate your art and designs to textiles, wallpaper and more. How did that evolution come about?

It all started with the connections I built over the years through my various trainings, particularly in textile design. My specialization was in knitwear, which also involved working with patterns in creating ribbing. I’ve always been drawn to patterns.

More recently, I realized that my work has a decorative aspect to it. I had piles and piles of watercolor paintings of flowers, fruits, leaves, and other elements that could easily be transformed into repeating patterns.

So, I can say there was a turning point in my practice when I began focusing on creating patterns for home decor, wallpaper, fashion, and especially stationery and art prints.

How does your environment influence your creativity?

My environment plays a huge role in my creativity. I’m deeply inspired by the natural world around me—the colors, textures, and shapes I see during my daily walks in nature often make their way into my work. Living in the countryside, for example, gives me endless inspiration, from the changing seasons to the smallest details like leaves, petals, and berries.

The space where I create also influences my work. Having a calm and organized studio helps me focus, while surrounding myself with tools, materials, and even natural finds like common elements, fruits or flowers sparks ideas.

My environment provides both the inspiration and the mindset I need to create.

Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?

Nature, obviously, is my main source of inspiration.

Whether it’s the changing seasons, the textures of leaves, or the vibrant colors in flowers and fruits, nature offers an endless supply of ideas.

I also find inspiration in the small, often overlooked details—the way light hits a petal, the patterns in bark, or the natural patterns in a ground of fallen leaves.

During these walks, I often think to myself: “Oh! Look at what the Universe has placed in your path—tiny Plymouth pears fallen from a tree, or these sumac flowers, or those little berries.” Actually, I love going for walks after a storm because the ground is full of treasures.

My daily walks in nature help me stay connected to these subtle elements, which often transform into the motifs and designs in my work. I enjoy observing things in detail; I am fundamentally a contemplative person, but with a need to create and accomplish.

When I walk, move around, or travel, I am on the lookout for things—smells, spaces, people, customs, and the diversity of this world and its creative power in general. This is what shapes my entire artistic approach and drives me to create.

Describe your creative space.

My creative space is divided into two main rooms, each serving its own purpose. One room is dedicated to the tactile and organic side of my work. It’s where I create my inks and colors, mixing natural elements and experimenting with new materials. It’s also where I paint—surrounded by brushes, papers, and the raw ingredients that inspire my watercolors.

The other room houses my technical devices for pattern-making. Here, I have my scanner, computer, and other equipment to digitize my designs. And in this room, I also have a bookshelf with books on art and design, cinema, weaving, knitting and more.

Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?

I sometimes use a sketchbook, but it’s rare, and when I do, it’s usually to paint something finished. I like to focus on things in a certain way, and working in a sketchbook doesn’t always suit me.

However, I always carry a notebook with me for ideas. Sometimes, I get ideas at night, and I jot them down in this notebook. I also create mood boards from time to time if I encounter very clear inspirations around me.

How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?

Yes, I work on themes that are dear to me at the same time and organize my time around them.

There are three main goals in what I do: sharing my knowledge and passing it on, which is why I have a Skillshare presence where I teach how to make inks, watercolors, and other creative themes; painting with watercolors every weekend; and actively working on my portfolio while searching for a licensing contract for my patterns.

I also create greeting cards for the holidays each year and various cards and prints for resellers who carry my designs. There isn’t a week that goes by without a new pattern. During the week, I work at an art school, and I dedicate my weekends to my passion.

Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?

For the autumn fruit pattern, I began by painting a series of autumn fruits like figs, chestnuts, plums, and quinces in watercolor. Once the paintings were done, I scanned them and worked on creating the pattern digitally. I experimented with different arrangements and repeats to ensure the fruits looked balanced and harmonious together.

What interests me is when different aspects of my skills come into play. For example, I not only paint the elements, but I also use these paintings as the foundation for my patterns. I extract ink from plants like privet berries and use that ink for painting. I also offer a class on how to make homemade inks, which ties in with my process of incorporating handmade elements into my work. My ink swatches can be the base of the colors for a pattern collection, and so on.

This way, my painting, ink-making, and pattern design all come together in a cohesive creative practice.

Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?

My favorite part of the design process is the initial stage of creating and painting the elements, especially when I can see them come to life on paper.

I love the spontaneity and expression that comes with painting and capturing the details of nature. It’s where the ideas flow most freely, and it feels very connected to my creative energy.

I also realize that this stage is incredibly inspiring—it’s during this process that the ideas come to me. If I didn’t go through these steps, I might not have the ideas that emerge. It’s a moment of pure introspection, a time of isolation with myself, where I can understand the form, texture, color, and the details of the object or element. This path unites opposites and allows me to discover and observe in new ways.

For me, the challenge often lies in believing in what I create and what I bring to the world—not because I think my work lacks quality or style, but because, deep down, I still carry this idea that an artist can’t truly make a living from their art and passion. It’s not quite imposter syndrome, but rather a belief I’ve been carrying since childhood, one that I still give attention to.

I also struggle with marketing—it doesn’t come naturally to me. I have to learn how to sell my work and promote my art.

This challenge is about learning to trust my own voice and recognize the uniqueness of my perspective. It’s hard to maintain confidence in the face of doubt, but I remind myself that my work has value because it reflects my passion and experiences. It’s a delicate balance: pushing myself to explore new creative paths while staying true to my vision.

Every step is part of the journey, and I’m learning to embrace it.

Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?

For me, it’s about observing the world, nature, and its elements, bringing a bit of beauty to the world, and sharing a vision that comes from my soul.

It’s also a process that involves learning and discovery, transmission and sharing, listening and understanding, reflection and letting go, and above all, surrendering to the process. These things, though seemingly contradictory, come together in the infinitely vast creative spirit.

How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?

Over the years, my creativity has evolved from something more buried and unconscious to something much more intentional, with a sense of urgency. At first, I created out of a deep need for expression, but it wasn’t always clear to me how to channel it. As I gained more experience and confidence, my creative process became more conscious and deliberate.

The shift to working with new media and different forms of expression was driven by curiosity and the desire to push my boundaries. I wanted to learn, experiment, and face new challenges.

As I explored new techniques and tools, I found that they opened up different ways of thinking and creating. For example, moving from traditional painting to digital pattern design allowed me to see my work in new contexts and provided an entirely different level of flexibility in the design process.

This constant drive to learn, to explore, and to challenge myself is what has fueled the evolution of my work.

How do you make time for creating? Do you try to create daily?

I create on weekends because I work during the week. In my mind, though, I’m creating every day. But in terms of actual time dedicated to making, it’s just the weekends for me.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?

I don’t really need to stay motivated because creating is a natural and vital calling for me. I no longer question the need to create; it’s an undeniable truth.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Never give up! It’s about learning to trust the process and embracing this path, this journey, as a source of awakening, even when things seem uncertain.

Creativity isn’t always linear, and breakthroughs often come after moments of doubt, wandering, and mistakes. It’s about staying true to your vision and allowing space for growth, discovery, the unexpected, the unsaid, imagination, mistakes, non-judgment, experience, and letting go.

Where can people see your work?

• Website: https://en.adelinejuliebee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelinejuliebee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adelinejuliebee
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@adelinejuliebee
• Other: Skillshare classes : https://www.skillshare.com/en/r/profile/Adeline-Julie-Bee/673291918