Artist Statement, Bio, and Portfolio

Artist Statement:

Recent events have reminded me of how important it is to live my life to its fullest. The pandemic seemed to make all of us hyperaware of our mortality. We never really know how much time we will have with our loved ones. The pandemic drew my husband, Bill, and I much closer, which was nice. When he survived the pandemic only to be taken abruptly by cancer in 2023, I was forced to start a new chapter in my life. I used my artwork to help me process my grief.

I like to express my experience with the world through my artwork. Whatever is on my mind—the cosmos, the pandemic, music, current events, grief, or joy—becomes inspiration for my artwork.

-Julia Hamilton

Artist Bio:

Julia Hamilton earned her Master of Fine Arts at Columbus College of Art and Design in 2019. Hamilton enjoys creating intricate line drawings, installation pieces, and mixed-media paintings in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. She has loved creating art since childhood.

After the Thaw

2026, 30×30; Medium: Felt Pen, Loose Ink, and Pastels
Muse: In spring I love the emotional shift, getting out from under winter's isolation.

Journey

2024, 24×36 Inches; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing;
Muse: When we fell in love, life became rich with color. Bill’s journey ended peacefully and mine continues, still full of vibrant color.

Unknowable

2025, 30×30; Medium: Mixed Media Painting (Ink, Paint & Pastels)
Muse: I dreamed Bill returned and shared all the secrets of the universe. When I woke, the dream was gone. All I could remember was the joy of knowing he was happy.

Finding Peace

2024, 30×30; Medium: Felt Pen, Ink, and pastels;
Muse: In the end, Bill’s soul found peace.

Dave Matthews Band #41

2022, 24 x 24 Inches; Medium: Alcohol ink, fire, acrylics, pastels, and felt pen.

Muse: These are the colors I see when I listen to #41 by Dave Matthews Band.

Winds of Change

2022, 26 x 26 Inches; Medium: Alcohol ink, fire, acrylics, pastels, and pencil.
Muse: In 2020, we voted for change, hoping for a brighter future.

400,000 Souls

2022, 48 x 108 Inches (triptych). Medium: Alcohol ink and acrylic pen.
Muse: I drew 400,000 white dots to honor those who died from Covid-19 in 2020.

Born to Be Wild

2017; Alcohol Ink, Fire, and Felt Pen; 16 x 20 Inches
Muse: My synesthetic interpretation of Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf

The Sound of Silence

2017; Alcohol Ink, Fire, Pencil, and Oil Pastels
36 x 36 Inches
Muse: Inspired by The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel.
This piece is part of my "In Loving Color" collection, which will be featured at the Franklin Park Conservatory during their 2018 Orchids exhibit.

McKinley Murmuration

2017; Medium: Mixed Media: Alcohol Ink, Fire, Oil Pastels, & Pen; Size: 36 x 36 Inches

Muse: A murmuration of starlings graces a grungy part of town.

Honors:

• An enlarged mural of piece is installed at the corner of High and Starr in the Short North district of Columbus, Ohio. It is part of the 2017 Short North Temporary Mural exhibit, sponsored by Sean Christopher Gallery. Click here for a map of the murals.

Madness

2017; Medium: Mixed Media: Alcohol Ink, Fire, Oil Pastels, & Pen; Size: 36 x 36 Inches

Muse: This is my interpretation of the colors and shapes I see when I listen to the song "Madness" by Muse.

This piece is part of my "In Loving Color" collection, which will be featured at the Franklin Park Conservatory during their 2018 Orchids exhibit.

Honors:
• Accepted in the 2017 Ohio State Fair, Professional Division

Bittersweet Symphony

2016; Medium: Mixed Media: Alcohol Ink, Fire, Oil Pastels, & Pen; Size: 24 x 24 Inches

Muse: This is my interpretation of the colors and shapes I see when I listen to "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve.

This piece is part of my "In Loving Color" collection, which will be featured at the Franklin Park Conservatory during their 2018 Orchids exhibit.

Volcano Nouveau

2016; Medium: Alcohol Ink, Fire, Felt Pen, & Oil Pastels; Size: 12 x12 Inches

Muse: One of Earth's reminders that we are guests on her surface.

Honors:

• Awarded 2nd place in Fusion Art's 2nd Annual Artist's Choice Online Exhibit, 2016.

Zydeco

2015; Medium: Alcohol Ink, Fire, and Felt Pen Drawing; Size: 30 x 30 Inches

Muse: When I listen to music, I see colors and moving shapes. I was listening to zydeco music on the radio one day, and I decided I needed to capture the image.

Honors:

• Included in 2016 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit, Professional Division 2016 in Columbus, Ohio

The Invention of Sky

2015; Medium: Alcohol Ink, Fire, Watercolors, and Pastels; Size: 6 x 6 Inches

Muse: Before the invention of sky there was no blue.

Honors: Included in “Elements” exhibit (by invitation) at Schumacher Gallery, Columbus Ohio, 2016

Transition

2015; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing and Alcohol Ink Painting; Size: 30 x 30 Inches

Muse: The universe is expanding, but for how long? Astronomers predict that we may enter a contraction phase in the distant future. This image depicts this spectacular phase transition.

Honors:

• Included in juried exhibit titled “In Transformation” at Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio, 2017

Inner Strength

2015; Medium: Felt Pen; Size: 36 x 24

Muse: It is our inner strength that allows us to defy the weight of the world.

Honors: Included in Ohio Governor's Office and Residence Artwork Loan Program 2017-2018

Origin

2015; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing; Size: 30 x 30 Inches

Muse: This is the beginning, the first light that started everything.

Legacy

2014; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing; Size: 30 x 30 Inches

Muse: I created this piece because I was recently reminded of how powerful one's legacy can be. A promising young life is headed for greatness as a result of a tragedy in the distant past.

Honors:

• Included in juried competition, “New Directions 2014” at The Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. Juror was Lynne Warren, Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL.

• Included in 2016 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit, Professional Division 2016 in Columbus, Ohio

Awakening

2014; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing; Size: 24 X 24 Inches

Muse: I created this piece because I wanted to capture those brief seconds between being asleep and being fully awake, the mingling of consciousness and dreams, and the precarious nature of the memory of a dream.

Honors:

• Received honorable mention in Exhibeo “Renewal” Competition 2015

• Included in “Elements” exhibit (by invitation) at Schumacher Gallery, Columbus Ohio, 2016

New Waters

2014; Medium: Digital, drawn with finger on iPad®; Size: 28 x 28 Inches @ 300 DPI;

Muse: I created this piece because I wanted to capture the mesmerizing experience of watching new waters flowing to shore, the ancient rhythm of the sea. To quote Heraclitus (535 BC - 475 BC), "You can never step twice in the same stream, for new waters are ever flowing in upon you." It seems incredible that someone who lived so long ago could say something that resonates with people today.

Where the Woodbine Twineth

2013; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing; Size: 24 x 24 Inches

Muse: When something is hopelessly lost, it has gone “where the woodbine twineth." Whatever it is that you're looking for, perhaps you'll find it hiding in this piece.

Honors:

• Included in Ohio Governor's Office and Residence Artwork Loan Program 2017-2018

• Included in “Elements” exhibit (by invitation) at Schumacher Gallery, Columbus Ohio, 2016

• Included in 2015 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit, Professional Division in Columbus, OH

• Included in 2015 Ohio Art League Spring Juried Exhibition at the Schnormeier Gallery at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio. Juror: Richard Petry, Director of Graduate Studies at CCAD.

Quantum Flux

2012; Medium: Felt Pen Drawing; Size: 30 x 30 Inches

Muse: Within a tiny sliver of time (10^-43 seconds) after the big bang, the universe was born. The technical term for the creation of something from nothing is "Quantum Fluctuation." I created this piece because I wanted to try to visualize this incredible phenomenon.

Honors:

• Included in “2015 Annual Arts in Harmony” International Juried Art Show in Elk River, MN; awarded third place in drawing competition.

Art by Julia Hamilton

Artist Statement, Bio, and Portfolio

After the Thaw

Journey

Unknowable

Finding Peace

Dave Matthews Band #41

Winds of Change

400,000 Souls

Born to Be Wild

The Sound of Silence

McKinley Murmuration

Madness

Bittersweet Symphony

Volcano Nouveau

Zydeco

The Invention of Sky

Transition

Inner Strength

Origin

Legacy

Awakening

New Waters

Where the Woodbine Twineth

Quantum Flux