My first experience with Julie Cowman's work came at the 1st Annual
Matthews Station Art Festival earlier this year. Julie had set up
shop with scores of other artists hoping to sell her wares. I had
gone over and viewed her works and was quite impressed. I had
determined that before the days end, I would go home with one of them.
Fate that day was impatient however. The street Matthews Station
would that day become a micro wind tunnel. The artists would be in a
constant battle to prevent their easels from overturning. Rope,
string, twine, wire and many other makeshift implements were used to keep
things in check, and in response the wind seemed to blow stronger. I
watched in horror as canvases were blown across the pavement, as frames
were smashed upon the curbs, and artists wrung their hands in
frustration.
I was terrified that if I delayed, that if I waited, I would miss out
on an opportunity. Surely the beautiful works I craved were destined
to be ruined before I could get them. I could not allow that to
happen. I literally stormed over to Julie's table and grabbed up the
above painting. That would be the first of many that Julie would
sell that day. My biggest regret is that I could not purchase more
of them.
Julie uses a palette knife to achieve the dramatic images in The Storm.
This lesser used technique quite successfully captures the feeling and
mood of a stormy day by the shore. Her use of shadow, reflection and
perspective transport the viewer to a blustery day on a rocky coast.
Originals of Julie Cowman are still available at the b brown gallery.
I encourage you to visit them. |
