About Julie Lawry - Realist & Impressionist Painter - Watercolour Paintings & Art Prints
Julie Lawry began her journey in painting with well known and loved artist and educator Ruth Tuck. She then studied at the South Australian School of Art and became an art teacher in the Victorian and South Australian public and private school systems teaching secondary and adult students.
Her passion for the medium of watercolour has been guided by leading Australian watercolourists: David Taylor, Robert Wade OA, Greg Allen, Joseph Zbukvic, and Alvaro Castagnet in Australia and Italy.
Her works are represented in collections throughout Australia and overseas.
Giclee prints provide the opportunity to own a signed, limited edition, quality replica of one of her original paintings.
In 1964 Julie won the Senior Division of the ABC Commonwealth Art Award, in 1985 was Highly Commended in Our Lady of the Pines Art Exhibition in Melbourne and in 1987 won the City of Noarlunga Rotary Art Award for Watercolour painting.
In 2005 Julie won the Saint Peters Cathedral Art Prize, two judges awards at the Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show and was Highly Commended at the prestigious Victor Harbor Rotary Art Show.
In 2007 Julie won the Port Adelaide Rotary Art show Maritime Prize.
In 2008 Julie was Highly Commended at the Naracoorte Art Show.
In 2010 Julie was Highly Commended at the Walkerville Art Show.
Plead The Fleeting Moment to Remain - artist statement by Julie Lawry
Hans Christian Anderson penned a fairy tale about a little girl who was granted her wish for a pair of magic red shoes but after her wish was granted she could never stop dancing. Watercolor painting has become a bit like that for me. It doesn't matter where I go, whether I am painting or not, I can't stop mixing colors and seeing compositions in my mind's eye. Travel in Australia and abroad has become far more interesting than it once was, as I never cease to gather visual material and see things I was blind to previously. I keep a camera with me in the car ready to catch a fleeting moment along my path. This has become a way of life for me now, communicating my ideas, experiences and emotions to others, conveying the spirit and mood of the places I go, telling visual stories in a Realist Impressionist style with finished and unfinished parts. I am always left hungry to exploit the unpredictable nature of this irritating medium which can be so magical too.
Its translucency allows you to render the nuances of atmosphere and light so marvellously modelled by J.M.W.Turner's mysterious suggestions.
In 1888 Camille Pissaro wrote:
'In a few minutes one can take down notes unobtainable in any other way, the fluidity of a sky, certain transparencies, a lot of small particulars that a long piece of work cannot give you: these effects are so fleeting'
I particularly love urban landscapes. Several trips to Europe have inspired me to paint the ancient, warmly colored and textured buildings, the cluttered harbors, festive markets and piazzas, the beautiful ancient churches, scenes that have existed for countless artists through the ages.
Rainy day scenes are a favorite subject matter of mine, wet roads glowing with illuminating reflections, alive with lights. These scenes suit the medium of watercolor wonderfully too.
Although not a real 'boatie' I am drawn to busy harbors as well as quiet inlets where small craft nestle into shore. Old boats are particularly charming, begging you to tell their stories
Choice of subject depends on my interests and circumstances at the time. Becoming a grandmother has enticed me into a new world of subject matter, children playing on the beach or feeding the ducks perhaps.
Still life is another area I have been venturing into of late-perhaps the cosy verandah of an old cottage with a wicker chair or a quiet corner of a favorite room brought to life by a shaft of light.
An inspiration may come from some forgotten corner of a field, subjects some could pass by without noticing.
Pissaro also said:
Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places where others see nothing
What took my attention may have been a relationship of color, usually complementary, not a subject at all.
But the subject is just the starting point...
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