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.

Hamilton began working in oils and acrylics in her teens. While attending Dublin Coffman High School, she attended art lessons at Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), where she learned the basics of drawing and painting. At the age of 18, she was awarded top 25 (Governor's Medallion) in a state-wide competition for a painting titled, “Sheep."  

After graduating from high school, Hamilton  attended University of Cincinnati, majoring in Fine Art. She soon became disillusioned with art school, switching to Information Technology (IT). She graduated with a bachelor degree in Computer Science and has enjoyed a lengthy, successful career working in IT, all the while maintaining art as her true passion and stabilizing foundation. 

In 2008, Hamilton began challenging herself, taking on the cosmos using pointillism. She completed a series of drawings in felt pen on clay board, inspired by Hubble images. Her style became airier and more abstract. Eventually she began incorporating intricate patterns into her artwork, and her style evolved into an abstract variation of art nouveau.  

In 2011, Hamilton completed her first major piece entitled "Quantum Flux" using her art nouveau style. This began a series of abstract artwork relating to science, nature, and the cosmos. This new style renewed her passion for her artwork, making it an essential part of her daily life.  

In 2014, Hamilton began painting on her iPad with her finger, creating artwork using the same art nouveau style. Her background in IT made using technology in the creation of artwork a natural fit. She began showing her work in 2014 and established an art practice (Art by Julia Hamilton, LLC).  

In 2015, Hamilton began using alcohol ink to add bold, unstructured components to her artwork. She sometimes lights the alcohol ink on fire, letting the flames create interesting shapes and textures.  

In 2017, Hamilton was able to make art her full-time profession by going part-time at her IT job. She started attending graduate school at CCAD in 2017.

In 2019, Hamilton graduated from CCAD's Master of Fine Art program in 2019. At CCAD, she learned how to use her programming skills to make physical digital artwork. She is currently focusing on physical digital installations and mixed media paintings. 

In 2021, Hamilton began a body of work that reflects on the pandemic and grief.

CV

Education

2019    Master of Fine Arts from Columbus College of Art and Design

Exhibitions and Events

2022

  • Solo exhibit titled “The Time Between” at Sean Christopher Gallery in Worthington, Ohio

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

  • “In Transformation” Exhibit at Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio

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

  • 2017 Ohio State Fair Fine Art Exhibit, Professional Division

  • Two-artist show with Abiola Idowu titled "Common Ground" at Sean Christopher Gallery in the Short North District of Columbus, Ohio

  • Solo show at The Table in the Short North District of Columbus, Ohio

  • By invitation: Short North Temporary Mural Series, sponsored by Sean Christopher Gallery; Mural Location: N. High & Starr, Columbus. (See image below.)

  • By invitation: Pop up show at Decorators' Show House at the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Ohio

  • Studios on High Gallery's “Hit the Hop” Show, Columbus, OH

2016

  • “Elements” Exhibit (by invitation) at Schumacher Gallery in Columbus, Ohio

  • Roy G Biv “Small Works” exhibit in the Short North District of Columbus, Ohio

  • Solo show at Grandview Grind in Columbus, Ohio.

  • Awarded 2nd Place, Traditional Category of Fusion Art Artist's Choice Juried Exhibition (online).

  • Solo show titled “Between the Lines” at Sean Christopher Gallery in the Short North District of Columbus, Ohio

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

  • Solo show at Copious Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio

2015

  • “New Directions 2015” Juried Exhibit at The Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie, NY

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

  • 2015 Ohio Art League Spring Juried Exhibition at the Schnormeier Gallery at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio

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

  • Ohio Art League “Thumb Box” & Roy G Biv “Small Works” joint exhibit in the Short North District of Columbus, Ohio.

  • Two-artist show with Kevin Russell titled “Lost and Found,” at 400 West Rich in Columbus, Ohio

2014

  • “New Directions 2014” Juried Exhibit at The Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie, NY

  • Won Best of Show at 2014 Creekside Festival in Gahanna, OH

Press

Collections

Multiple private collections Dublin, OH               Multiple private collections Chagrin Falls, OH
Private collection Cincinnati, OH                         Private collection Cleveland, OH
Multiple private collections Columbus, OH         Private collection Atlanta, GA
Private collection Carbondale, CO                      Private collection Jamul, CA

mckinley murmuration by Julia Hamilton; short north temporary mural sponsored by sean christopher gallery; 2017-19; Location: 977 N. High St.