With grass roots in in the West Australian wheatbelt, Julie-Ann's interest in painting began after a move to the city to take up tertiary studies in Art and Design. Two decades later, following a career in graphic design and advertising, she began her oil painting practice in Contemporary Realism.
A fascination for the effects of light on her subject forms the inspiration of her work setting in motion the concept that begins her creative process. In the case of portraiture, she is motivated to convey expression and feeling; a sense of the subjects’ state of mind at the time in order to create curiosity and engagement with the paintings’ audience. Similarly with painting nature, she attempts to embrace her audience by creating an impression; evoking a feeling of contentment and desire.
While commissions consume much of her practice she also likes to produce small collections of work that explore different genres and styles allowing her to evolve and expand her personal learning journey.
Julie-Ann painted out of Pakenham Street Artist Studios (PSAS) in Fremantle for two years which lead to a second successful solo exhibition. She exhibits locally and nationally in group shows where she has received a number of awards and commendations, most notably a finalist in the Lester Prize for Portraiture (WA), Kilgore Prize for Portraiture and Figurative Painting (NSW), the Kennedy Prize for Beauty (SA) and she has previously won the Clifton Art Prize (Perth).
Julie-Ann has now settled on a beautiful, forested property near Margaret River in Western Australias' southwest where she contentedly paints in her recently purpose-built art studio.