Julia Poulton in her studio
What’s your background?
As a child growing up in West Yorkshire, I was always drawing, so it was a natural progression for me to eventually do a degree in Fine Art at the University of East London in 1993. After returning to my roots in Yorkshire, I have since worked in a variety of different jobs from teaching to counselling, however my passion has always remained with art, and I am now lucky enough to have my own studio at home in Harrogate, with enough time to devote to painting as a serious career path.
Explain what you do in 100 words
Inspired by the colours and forms found in nature, my recent work has encapsulated memories and feelings taken from various landscapes around Yorkshire and beyond. I like to paint ‘intuitively’, engaging in the immediacy of the creative process and allowing my paintings to ‘evolve’. Mainly working in oils and other mixed media, I am passionate about colour, often using a limited palette, emphasising light and dark areas and creating interest and depth by building colourful layers, marks and textures.
What five words best describe your work?
Bold, spontaneous, energetic, calm, earthy.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am fascinated with the ‘allure’ of dark wooded areas, as seen from a distance within the landscape and this has been a recurring theme in my work in recent months. I am currently working on some large scale pieces following this theme.
Which three artists inspire you?
Turner, Helen Tabor and Joan Eardley.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Trust in the process and enjoy the moment (applied to both life and art).
Favourite or most inspirational place in Yorkshire.
Almscliffe Crag
Tell us something we don’t know.
I sometimes paint upside down (the canvas not me).
