Artist Statement

The essence of the female creative principle implies the ultimate free spirit.

- Julia Trops

On this site you will find an artist resume, a page for my art studio, some meanderings in the blog, press releases related to any of my exhibitions, some interesting art links, and a calendar of upcoming shows.

Facebook: I have a personal page, and a fan page. Please join me on one or the other (or both)! And on Twitter, I do send out the occasional tweet or two. You are welcome to join me there too.

If you are interested in purchasing any of my artwork, please visit either the Ruby Lane Shop - there is a good selection of charcoal drawings, and some oil paintings or my Under $100 Shop on Etsy.

If you don't want to purchase through Ruby Lane, but would still like to purchase, send me an email to juliatrops at gmail dot com.

I am very heavily involved in the art community here in Kelowna, and in two local galleries. The majority of my work is in Ruby Lane, but I have over 800 artworks out in the world somewhere.

These are all originals, as I don't do prints, and this concept is important to me, especially in our society of mass production.

Part of my past military training included programming/networks (remember Banyan Vines?) - so when I decided to do my first official website in 2003, I bought an html book and learned the coding myself.

I started selling on ebay in 2004, my first sale was a 40"x30" oil painting for $900. I credit that first buyer for instilling a belief in myself that yes, I actually do have something valuable to contribute. That was what opened my eyes to the possibilities outside of Kelowna. I do all my own creating, photography, website, packaging, everything, though my husband makes the crates. :) I know that selling artwork on the internet is not really very conventional, but what the heck - I'm embracing my free spirit!

In 2007, I progressed to a very pretty shop on Ruby Lane where people all over the world have access to my work.

Encouraged by my success, I suggested that artwork for the Rotary Centre for the Arts fundraiser Evergreen, be posted on the internet for access to the world. Plus! I am pleased to say that for the first time in 2008 at the RCA, they will be paying the artist for work sold!! Now it is 2009, and this will be the second year we will be putting the artwork on the net for the entire world to have access and place bids. ;) I am so excited about that! Other organizations/shows I've done include being a core member of the Okanagan Art Awards, Okanagan Erotic Art Show and the formation of the group Livessence.

Independence is important to me. As an artist, it is too easy to give one's power away and let others handle it. Having said that, there are some amazing gallery owners out there and I am lucky enough to have been found by Gallery Odin in Silver Star Ski Resort. Please check out their website.

I don't subscribe to asking the government for money for me to make my work. I figure if I can't take care of it on my own, why would I ask someone else to? I know my work is interesting to others, I know my work is valued by others. I know for each of my artworks, there is a heart out there waiting for it.... they are heartworks... both in creating and receiving.

Feel free to browse around this site. A page of recent artwork in oil paintings or charcoal drawings will be available, but currently I have this link going to my Ruby Lane store. This is changed out about every month or so. This artwork usually goes fast, so please contact me if you see something you like!

After perusing the site, I welcome you to check out the art books on Amazon. If you purchase from this link, I receive a very small commission, so buy lots of books, it enriches your mind!