Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Julia has now lived in Maine for 18 years.
Her art has always been impassioned by the sea and in its proximity she feels alive and creatively complete. With a BFA from The Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Julia’s journey in textile, graphic and costume design has led her to the joyful discovery of ‘found object’ sculpture. It is not surprising that she enjoys ‘sewing’ her creations together with wire, given her background. Her mother taught her to sew at an early age and she is reminded of her with each ‘stitch’. Every aspect of her creative process, from scavenging the woods and coastlines to hours spent in her studio, brings her profound peace. Julia is drawn to the elements of iron (the rustier the better), copper, stone and wood and strives to balance them in her sculpture. She has had several solo shows as well as group shows in Maine and in Nova Scotia.

“I am a stone hound. Stones find me everywhere I go. I have a deep connection with them. I love the feel of a stone in my hand, in my pocket. I can feel their calming energy. They are magical when they hold the sun’s heat. When my pockets become full I have been known to fill the hood of my jacket.

I am also a relentless scavenger. Since I was a child, rusty iron remnants discarded by past lives, have lured me. Old beds and cars and other rotting, wonderful iron carcasses call out to me. They are rich in history. The older, the better. I love the color and texture of the rust. In my work, I like to combine iron with stone and wood. I love that nature has changed these

objects in its process of reclaiming them. They continue their metamorphosis in my studio. Sometimes I know right away how I will incorporate them into my sculpture and sometimes they sit with me for years before they speak up.

Mindful scavenging insists that I step outside of myself to immerse in and study nature. Its beauty and the patterns found in every living or dormant thing, never cease to spark within me, a deep and soulful appreciation. This solitary time feeds me with renewed passion and strength which sees me through my artistic process in the studio and thus, my journey as an artist. Each piece I create is unique. They continue to evolve alongside the artist in me. I like to challenge myself each spring with a new species. This year it is birds. I always have and I believe I always will make lobsters. It amuses me that the lobster is also a scavenger.”