Artist in Focus - Julia Gilmore
What do they tell writers? “Write what you know.” Julia Gilmore paints what she knows.
Exploding into the post war baby boom in the role of youngest of three Gilmore girls, it was instantly clear Julia’s mission in life was to spread happiness. Growing up in “the Mid-Century Modern World” the expression of her joy took many forms, from mimicking the family cocker spaniel, dressing up as a hot dog for the 4th of July parade, and belting out “Hello Dolly” in a guttural voice that earned her the family nickname “Louis”.
Focusing on visual art as her personal creative form of communication, Julia graduated with a BFA from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. Shortly after graduation she launched a 3-piece punk/new wave band, releasing several albums and music videos, while touring extensively for many years.
Today, Julia works in her studio armed with a palette knife and huge tubes of oil paint. She creates artwork that elevates ordinary prosaic subject matter to a new level of iconic imagery and captures the essence of a generation with a direct joie de vivre expression of vivid colour and texture.
What do you want people to think or feel when they see your work?
Joy only joy.
When is your favourite time of the day to create?
Morning, noon & night! I love to jump in the studio immediately when I awake however ~ I am a night owl and it’s impossible to get me out of the studio at the end of the day!
How do you know when a piece of art is finished?
I truly believe the biggest mistake all artists continue to make ~ professionals & amateurs alike is to overwork a painting…it’s natural human nature to believe the longer & harder you work on anything the better it will be but this is not true in art because overworking kills the freshness and expression of a piece.
How has your style changed over time?
Bolder, brighter, more colorful, confident & determined.
What has been a defining moment of your creative career?
When I turned 6 and decided all I ever wanted to be in life was an artist. Trust me ~ it was not a direct route!!
This new series of limited editions, are printed on Hahnemuhle paper using our exclusive Gouttelette® process; These are of exceptional quality with remarkable colour saturation and continuous tonal characteristics. Each edition is hand numbered, stamped and accompanied by a certificate signed by Julia Gilmore herself.