Artist Statement
Combining the every-day with the ephemeral, I strive to capture real moments that are viewed from a surreal lens. My themes are not concerned with what the world should be, but rather with what the world is—while choosing to see reality with slight distortions.
Moreover, I strive to communicate the essence, power and movement of a scene or a person. Preferring to paint from life, I am drawn to that which is unusual—the not so commonplace—as well as the tension and mood I sense in that moment. I enjoy experimenting with different textures: oils and pastels for depth, and clay for its tactile qualities. For inspiration, I travel and explore new areas, and meet people with various thoughts, ideals and belief systems. All of this inspires me to create works that I hope will in some way add something positive to our collective life experience.
Julie is married to Greenville musician and composer Don Shabkie.
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