biography

As a child Julia loved exploring with line and colour by drawing on her walls and dolls. She learned very quickly that with a little control, she could manifest ideas into recognizable form.  Her mother loved the classical masters, and Julia links a great deal of her desire for expression back to her exposure (and love) of the classical masters such as Mozart and Beethoven.

Julia was encouraged from a very young age to “see” and be “aware” in more ways than the visual, and immediately after high school she took courses in the University of Calgary Fine Arts' program. She went on to continue studies at a post secondary level throughout her alternate career in the Canadian Air Force, in both correspondence and night school. One of her ultimate goals was finally reached when she attended a full time degree program at University of Lethbridge, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Great Distinction in 2001.

In 2002, in competition with 78 other candidates, she was chosen to be one of 6 resident artists in the new Rotary Centre for the Arts.

Among the historical art influences on her work are the Greek classical, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Ingres, Delacroix, Manet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, and most recently, Klee and Kandinsky. Influences from art theory include John Berger, Josef Albers, from theosophy include Leadbetter and Blavatsky, Fritjof Capra and currently Joseph Campbell.

Her ideas incorporate her philosophy and understanding of life and space. Her interests, which are currently manifesting in her expression, consist of a combination of concepts from time, space, and music. How she approaches her art making is a result of her experiences in her previous career, and her desire for simple and direct expression.

Although Julia is conversant with many media and supports, she primarily uses charcoal because of its conceptual properties of earth and musk. This allows her to explore figurative shapes and form on a two dimensional surface, with saturated values in a simultaneously bold and sensitive manner. The marks on paper become notational and gestural, and describe the human form or concepts in a musical, rhythmic style

Since  arriving in Kelowna in 2001, Julia has built a reputation on cooperation and initiative,  for the success of all. She believes vehicles, such as Kelowna and District Arts  Council, Chamber Music Kelowna and most recently, the Okanagan Symphony, are the  way to increase exposure for all artists and to educate and enrich the public. free hit counter

I welcome dealer inquiries.

Julia Trops Online Art Gallery Oil Paintings Charcoal Drawings

Visit the online fine art gallery to see original paintings and drawings available for purchase

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