JULIA S. POWELL
  • Home
  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
  • Paintings
    • Oil Paintings
    • Watercolors
  • Shop Giclee Prints
  • Contact

Thoughts from an Unexpected Artist

Welcome: my first blog post

4/28/2019

 
Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog. Anyone who knows me knows that I have lots of thoughts and feelings about many, many different things! Some of it is art focused and some of it is just random reflections about life and the world. My aim is to make us all think and also maybe to add some light humor to the day. Ella has recently received an iPaw (an iPad designed for golden retrievers) and is also very excited to write guest posts (when she can fit them into her busy schedule).

I am hoping the blog can be somewhat interactive ... I am looking forward to answering questions that you guys ask and/or posing questions to you and posting those answers.

Before I became a professional artist, I went to law school and practiced law. So the US criminal justice system and politics interests me a lot. I also was a pretty serious athlete when I was younger and so sports also interests me. Luckily I was born and raised just outside of Boston so we are always winning something (sorry New York! Sorry LA! But don’t worry you guys are better at almost everything else! So relax!).

One thing I think a lot about with ART is the visual aesthetics of it all. When people invest in art for their own use, they often think about these essential questions: “do I like looking at this“ and “does this make the room more beautiful or interesting”. When museums invest in art these days are they asking the same questions? Or is it more: “does this make me think even if I hate looking at it”. Because making people uncomfortable is certainly one of art’s goals. But is that compatible with installation in homes? And therefore is there a fundamental disconnect between what museums are looking for and what individual collectors are looking for? Should painters take this into account? How hard is it to be a marketable artist who sells well AND is also accepted by the art/curatorial establishment? 

​Anyway. This is just one of my thoughts about art – especially painting. What are you thoughts? Happy Monday! ​
Picture
Julia, age 9, watercoloring. No one in famly painted, I just wanted to do it from a young age.
Picture
First solo show this past summer.
Picture
Stanford Law graduation just over a decade ago. No inkling of what was going to come.
​NOTE: Click on 'comments' below to leave a comment on this post.
Dana
7/22/2019 07:42:12 pm

Hey Julia,

I just want to say that I think you’re story is so interesting and I really enjoy seeing the art you create. I never really partake in social media/commenting on blogs, but felt inclined to comment. I think what you are doing is incredible. I’m dabbling with a similar idea but not sure how to navigate. I’ve always enjoyed art and painting but never really had the time before. I work as a physician assistant in the ER and have a lot of flexibility now. I retrofitted my garage and am painting oils with the aim of creating a portfolio. I’ve only taken one art class in college but I’ve always had a knack for painting. Once I’m happy with creating enough paintings, I’m thinking of then making a website and perhaps being able to show in galleries if possible in SF/Oakland (I live in Santa Cruz). Sorry for the long message. I see commonalities between you and I and I was wondering if you had any advice? I’m sure you’re pretty busy, but if you have any time, I’d really love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks,
Dana


Comments are closed.

STAY UP TO DATE WITH JULIA

Sign up for Julia's newsletter to receive updates on new pieces, collaborations, upcoming exhibitions, and other exciting news.
  • Home
  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
  • Paintings
    • Oil Paintings
    • Watercolors
  • Shop Giclee Prints
  • Contact