Featured Artist Julie Davis Veach

Artist Julie Davis Veach presents a portfolio of boldly colorful abstract paintings that promote a healing experience. Learn more about her art by visiting her website.

 

 

I am an American contemporary abstract expressionist artist.

 

 

I was born in March of 1977, on a small army base in Oklahoma, which doesn’t have much significance to me other than that it predetermined my role as a military brat. That term is like a badge of honor because of the many moves, stressors and cultural experiences that make us “brats” more resilient than our civilian counterparts. My brother and I traveled the world with my father, an Army aviation officer, and my mother, a professional dance instructor with a musical theater background. We grew up as modern-day gypsies, I suppose.

 

 

Being part of this unique American subculture, that makes up less than 0.5 percent of the United States population, has provided a plethora of rich challenges and opportunities that helped shape who I am as an artist today. The most prominent characteristic that I attribute to this subculture and to myself is resiliency.

 

 

Today, I express that resiliency through my art. It provides an opportunity to reflect on society, issues relevant to myself, and the world around me.

 

 

It is my calling and intention to share a healing experience through my art, which is a constant work in progress. My inspiration comes largely from my own experiences, and from infinite subjects of nature like sacred geometry, archetypes, light, and energy. It is my purpose to capture this essence and bring a joy of spirit and spontaneity into the lives of others. Additional inspiration comes from science, math, technology, artistic expression, and the wonder of things unseen, but known and felt. As long as I can remember, I have also had a passion for social justice, human and animal rights.

 

 

I primarily use water-based media to create my paintings because of the versatility and freedom they provide. These include, but are not limited to, acrylics, enamel, ink, crayons and pencils. I frequently use a vivid, warm pallet. I explore the healing potential of art and choose to express states of being that inspire self-reflection, joy, gratitude and connection. My work is intentional and feminine, visceral and sensual. I do this by balancing the presence of the artist hand and the elements of design at play.

 

 

Some of the great abstract expressionist artists of our past including Claude Monet, Joan Mitchell and Richard Diebenkorn are inspirations for my process. Another master artist that inspires my work is Frida Khalo, a Mexican Surrealist artist, remembered for her self-portraits that conveyed pain and passion with bold, vibrant colors. I’m also inspired by Gustav Klimt, an Austrian symbolist painter. I enjoy using thick lines of paint and bright strokes throughout my paintings.

 

 

Sometimes I will use an aggressive mingling of colors, shapes and forms that create an experience of pure thought and emotion. In every painting, my objective is to use color as a tool for self-evaluation and healing. I want my work to be both confronting and comforting.

 

 

Art, for me, is a reminder of my humanity, my purpose, my connection to all that is, and my power to choose how I want to feel and how I want to literally create my life and impact others. Art can do that!

 

 

No matter how busy and chaotic life around me may feel, I can always return back to art, for solace and reflection. My mental health requires me to do so—to stop what I’m doing and enjoy making art on a regular basis. I want people to feel that soul connection when they look at my work. I want them to feel the promise of a brighter future and the power to choose their reality despite their circumstances. Art is the act of resilience. Together we can make a positive difference in our world, for ourselves and each other. This is why I paint and this is why I am an artist today.

 

Artist Julie Davis Veach invites you to follow her on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

 

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