Julie King
We’re thrilled to welcome local Gallery Merrick artist, Julie King!
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is informed by a love of nature; daily walks in the forest help to quiet the noise and distractions of modern life. My paintings have been described as ‘landed abstracts’ - offering just enough to suggest a sense of place without being tied to a specific location. The abstracted compositions are my attempt to capture the feeling of moving through the landscape, noticing how it changes with each step; the flicker of light on individual leaves; a tree trunk growing sideways from years of withstanding strong winds; tiny traces of mist beginning to form as the temperature cools. I often include compositional elements that hint at paths or streams, helping to lead the eye into the painting and creating a sense of depth.
In the studio, the paintings develop organically. I always start several canvases at once and the initial marks are loose and spontaneous. The paint is applied energetically and, as the layers build, a composition begins to emerge. Drips and splashes suggest organic growth. Transparent glazes of colour help to unify, while allowing the original, fresh brushstrokes to show through. I love the way this mimics the earth’s surface; layers of pattern and decay built up over time.