Julia Fry – Artist

Win A Beautiful Canvas Print

golden leaf — *Golden Leaf, Edited photograph, 19 x 25.4 cm*

You could win this limited edition photographic print on exhibition standard canvas paper! I took the photograph in Autumn 2020 when the sun was low in the sky, creating these lovely dramatic shadows. I edited the photograph using a layer that brings out the marks on my desk. I find the contrast of the natural object and my paint marks pleasing. Want to win this piece? Click here!

You can, of course, buy a print. There will be a maximum of 25 prints of this image, so if you’d like to get your hands on one, email me.

The Beauty of the Setting Sun

This photo shows the light of the setting sun on trees at Stanmer Park. I just love the orangey purple of the light on the branches and the contrasting areas of shade. As I walked through the woods I felt utter joy at the gorgeous display. It was incredibly cold but even so I felt I had to stand and gaze in places because my heart felt so full of beauty. I can feel myself getting ready to paint.

Turning Over A New Leaf

This is my latest pigment pen drawing, Turning Over A New Leaf, which is for sale – email me if you’d like more information. My research into the phrase, “turning over a new leaf,” highlighted the assumption that often accompanies the intention to turn over a new leaf. Here’s a definition from Collins:

Beautiful photograph giveaway coming soon

Golden Leaf, Edited photograph, 19 x 25.4 cm

I’m excited to share with you what I’ve been working on this week. I’ve created a new print from a photograph I took of a leaf on my desk. I love the shadows cast by a low Autumnal sun. They’re spiky and dramatic. As I played with the settings in my editing app I was able to bring out the paint stains on my desk, some of which are barely visible to the naked eye.

Images of the Self: Small Me and Big Me

Breaking Through, Chalk pastel on paper, A4

Chalk pastels are one of my favourite art materials. I love the way they blend easily. This week I’ve been making drawings to create insights around self knowledge. The parts of my self that I’m focusing on are Small Me and Big Me. You can read more about them in my coaching blog post. Below are my images and the words I wrote about them in my journal. If you’d like to buy any of my images email me.

Feeling Small in Awe and Vulnerability

Sunset Teardrop, Acrylic on unprimed canvas, 60 x 80 cm

I feel so excited to share my new style of painting with you! Sunset Teardrop is an amalgamation of my non-verbal responses to childhood trauma and to the awe of sunsets. How strange that these two should come together in one painting. Or perhaps it’s not so strange…

Artists Responding With Love

Breakthrough, Acrylic, chalk pastel and ink on watercolour paper, 14.8 x 10.5 cm

This postcard is my response to the affect of Covid and Black Lives Matter on me. The collective trauma of Covid-19 sparked memories of personal childhood trauma, which I was able to hold and work through. When the Black Lives Matter movement swelled, I connected with it as a feminist. All of this broke my heart open, making space for a spiritual breakthrough.

Are You a Cat Person or a Dog Person?

Puddy Tat, Pigment pen on paper, 15 x 15 cm

When someone asked me, “are you a cat person or a dog person?” I responded: “both!” I love the friendly way dogs often approach as if you’ve come to see them alone. I also love how cats choose to be around you and leave when they’ve had enough. We can learn something from both these behaviours.

Love is a Valid Form of Activism

Wooden Heart, Pigment pen on paper, 15 x 15 cm

I drew the image above after reading an essay by Jacqui Roach and Petal Felix on the black female gaze. In the essay, Jacqui and Petal* analyse the gaze of three black women – a writer, an actor, and a songwriter. They conclude that the black female gaze is not a unified gaze but made up of different points of view. However, they see one of these points of view as lacking.

A Calm Ending to Victorian Ideals

Last week I shared a post about revisiting my short film Not Punch and Judy… and this week I’d like to share another film I made the same year: Skeletal Sunset (2014). I remember sitting on Brighton beach making this film. It was cold. I was with friends and we were gathered to say goodbye so it was an ending. I’d borrowed camera equipment from university and had it with me so I set up the tripod and sat there, adjusting the light setting every so often.