Julie Reid

Mixed media work with a strong focus on the natural world, the human impact upon it and environmental issues. Julie Reid’s work is shown and collected internationally.

ARTISTS STATEMENT

Continually learning, observing and absorbing; drawing energy from my particular surroundings to evoke a sense of place and contemplation is my aim.

Initially I draw in sketchbooks wherever I may be; beach, land or woodland, visually and literally note taking; plus although I do not work directly from photographs, the camera, photography and digital manipulations of an image are becoming an increasingly more important aspect of my work. It enables me to study the minutiae of nature and the usually unobserved, the structure of a seedhead, the line and texture within a rock or pebble; looking deeper and deeper into the surface to discover the abstract.

Primarily I choose collage to interpret my thoughts and drawings. It enables me to use a variety of media including recycled and handmade papers, water based inks and paints, charcoal and found objects.

Words are a vital part of the work though they are often hidden deep into the piece asking the viewer to look for them & the hidden meaning of what can initially appear to be a very quiet work. Inside it is shouting ‘really look at me, I have so many stories to tell.’

It is a given that artists draw on nature: how can we not? As humans we are nature, it is all around us, it feeds us physically, spiritually & emotionally. This then begs the question why are we as humans, increasingly taking it for granted, ignoring it’s vitality, destroying it and the climate that supports it and us by the overuse of man made materials, fossil fuels and unsustainable living. Finding ways to express this are of growing importance to me as time moves on. I intend that my work becomes an extension to my voice. However quiet they may both be in this world of sensory pollution.