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BIOGRAPHY
THE ARTIST
Julie is based in Norwich, Norfolk, U.K., although was originally born and bred in the north-west of England.
BACKGROUND AND INSPIRATION
Julie grew up in Clitheroe, a small market town besides Pendle Hill in Lancashire. The Pendle area is famed for its ancient mythology and tales of witchcraft and magic. The story of the Lancashire witches can found in Robert Neil's book 'Mist Over Pendle'. The folklore of the area was rich with tales of witches and their deeds and strange creatures on the moors at night. Julie feels she was profoundly influenced by these tales at a time in life when magical ideas seemed entirely possible. It made her conscious that there could be a hidden side to life, which she has remained conscious of as an adult. She feels that this 'romantic' sensibility of spirit in nature infiltrates her work, which tends to have a darkly dramatic emphasis at times. She prefers to capture more than just a superficial or flattering portrait of someone, but something of their spirit too. Certainly something inexplicable weaves itself into the drawings and paintings at times.
She enjoys drawing portraits of all ages, ethnic and religious backgrounds, feeling that each person has their own unique combination of character, colour, light, and spirit to capture. She finds the process of drawing or painting a portrait strange and unpredictable. It is filtered through the unconscious and, as she points out: "I don't know what to expect at the end of the day. The portrait just develops - it has a life of its own. In many respects, I am just a powerless medium. There is something primeval about seeing a face emerge from a blank page."
ARTISTIC INFLUENCES
Julie was encouraged and inspired by two wonderful art teachers at her high school in Settle, North Yorkshire. (If anyone has news of Mr Glanville and Mr Edward Healey, then please do get in touch!) .
She was also fascinated by the work of Hans Holbein in Tudor times, copying many of his most famous paintings (e.g. The Ambassadors) for a school project. Other important influences were Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Monet, Rossetti, Millais, MÃÆÃâÃâünch, DÃÆÃâÃâürer, Breughel and Munnings.
OTHER ARTISTIC INTERESTS
Julie also enjoys botanical painting and is happy to undertake commissions in this area.
