Hi, I’m Julia.
I’m an artist and illustrator and I create original paintings, fine art prints and cards from my riverside garden studio. I love watercolour, gouache and acrylic paint and tend to work in a very illustrative style, and mostly from my imagination. My work ranges from small detailed paintings to larger pieces on paper, wooden panels and canvases.
I am inspired by the natural world, in particular the landscape that surrounds my home here in Yorkshire. I love exploring the textures and colours, and observing the wildlife that lives here. I am also drawn to create work influenced by the seasons and enjoy capturing the way the landscape changes throughout the year.
Art has the ability to change how a person is feeling, and can alter the energy of a room, especially pieces that feature nature. The purpose of my art is to create a feeling of safety and calm, but to also uplift and inspire. Most of my paintings feature an animal or bird, and usually a little house. My work brings the coast and countryside into your home, creating a blissful escape which momentarily transports you to a haven, away from the chaos and often challenging, outside world.
H O W I T A L L B E G A N
I was once told I’d never make it as an artist by a college art tutor to spending years in jobs I didn’t enjoy, I often felt I’d never be able to achieve my dream of living and working as an artist. In 1997 after working in the NHS payroll department for six years, I went to the University of Plymouth to study Interior Design. I loved the course and enjoyed living by the sea. I ended up staying in the South West for several years and taking a job as a sign writer when my course ended.
My sign writing contracts took me all over the UK and Ireland and I’ve been lucky to live and work in some amazing locations including Belfast, Dublin, Cork, London, and one of my favourites - a whole summer on the Isle of Wight. Being on the road began to take its toll though, and the pull to settle down and make art became too big to ignore. In 2006 I started to paint again and accepted my first commission work which saw the launch of my business. Although I studied art at school and college, I am also largely self taught, developing my own style over the years through books, taking classes, and plenty of experimenting in my studio.
Over the last 18 years I have had some amazing opportunities come my way. I’ve exhibited with many individual galleries, had a solo art show and taught art workshops. I’ve also hosted illustration workshops for children in our local junior school and at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Although there have been a fair few bumps in the road, I’ve grown my little business, which evolved from my dining room table, to one that sells to new and returning customers from around the world. I’m also proud to work with some wonderful publishing partners, including The Card Factory, The Eco Friendly Card Co and The Art Group.
W H A T ‘ S N E X T ?
The future feels exciting and I am looking forward to creating more nature inspired art works, and developing my product range. I’d love to create some new art classes too - watch this space.
T H E S E D A Y S
I live with my partner and teenage daughter in a tiny terraced cottage close to the Peak District. I love taking my sketchbook outside and spending the hours drawing and painting. I also enjoy cooking and baking, good coffee, being at the beach, reading novels and books, writing, yoga, walking and hiking, gardening, kayaking, star gazing, aromatherapy, sea swimming, islands and autumn.
W A N T T O F I N D O U T M O R E ?
I’d love to hear from you - please get in touch using the contact form.
You’re also very welcome to subscribe to my Art Bulletin, my monthly email which is packed full of stories from the studio, what I’ve been up to, art and creative business inspiration, and more. You can sign up here.