Most of Julia’s formal art education began in the 1960’s at California colleges. Over the years she has also studied privately and attended workshops taught by nationally known artists in various locals in the U.S, Japan, and France, working mostly in oils and watercolors. Much of her artwork has hung in shows (including juried) and at local businesses through the Antelope Valley Allied Arts Association in Lancaster, CA. She served on the Board of the Lancaster Art Museum/Art Gallery. She has been an active member of the Huntsville Art League since 1991, displaying and selling her artwork and serving on its Board in various capacities.
Her introduction to silk painting came in 1979 from a French artist, and in the ensuing years she has taken workshops and done much studying and experimentation with many different techniques. She now focuses primarily on this unique art medium. Her designs range from representational, employing guttas to control the flow of dyes, to creating loose watercolor effects, to abstract designs using salts or alcohols. Many of her creations have been inspired from her love of nature, and she has also been greatly influenced by her experiences living in Japan. Starting each new blank piece of silk is an exciting challenge from creating it’s design to seeing the results after the steam setting process, striving not only to enrich her aesthetic sense, but the viewer’s as well.
Her original hand-painted silks are featured at the Huntsville Art League Gallery, where she has been honored with “Award of Distinctions” and “People’s Choice” awards at HAL Collectors Draws, and has been featured in various artist exhibitions. Many of her silk scarves are with collectors across the U.S, Japan, and various European countries.
Email: julia.hawk@icloud.com