Julia C.R. Gray Medium: Oil

Koi Diver

www.jgrayartist.com

760.635.2836

Julia C. R. Gray, a prolific California artist, works in varied media. She is most well- known for her large-format oil paintings featuring environmental themes. She paints using multiple layers of transparent oils to create depth and rhythm.

Julia fell in love with painting at age five. She began studying oil painting at 13, and was painting murals by age 16. She has studied and worked in many art forms, but claims oil painting as her first love. Julia has been showing her works publicly in galleries, and doing group and solo shows since 1996. She participates in art shows nationally and her work can be seen in California galleries from San Diego to Sausalito, and in Idaho.

Talk to Julia C. R. Gray about her art and you are immediately charmed by her integrity and delight in her unique visions. Her work is representational and surreal. Technically, you can see the effort and forethought that goes into the balance of composition and the depth of layered intense colors that are grounded with earth tones. There is a rhythm to the brush strokes that expresses joy. The message that comes through in Julia's work is the expression of her true self whether it is emotion, visions, or her connection with the Sacred.

"Nature is the perfect expression of the Sacred,” says Julia, and it shows in the conservationist content of her paintings. “Many images I choose to paint are inspired by endangered species and spaces. I want to share the beauty and magic of creatures that are disappearing all over the world. My hope is to raise awareness and to inspire others to think about what is happening to our planet, and even further, to effect positive change in the choices we make.” 

Her most recent series of paintings, The Koi and Garden Goddesses, and Whose Shoes were inspired from a succession of dreams. Before painting, Julia often meditates so as to open herself to the flow of Spirit. “My visionary work reflects my view of the sacred and my connection to spirit and nature. I believe the Sacred is within us, and a part of all that is around us."

Excerpted from Article by Cathy Carey