In her latest series “Echos of Laughter” Julia explores the complex emotional landscape of mothering her children into adulthood particularly her significantly autistic son. The passing of clouds serve as a powerful metaphor for this transition of dependence to independence.
The clouds represent the uncertainty and unpredictability of this transition; they shift and change reflecting feelings of joy, nostalgia, fear, and hope that accompany this letting go. Each cloud captures a moment of introspection, a memory suspended in the air, illustrating the duality of beauty and pain as children grow
Julia begins by chaotically dripping, scribbling and scrubbing the paint before adding many layers to veil the brooding sky beneath, as we do in real life. The soft, billowing forms evoke a sense of comfort and safety, reminiscent of the nurturing embrace of a parent. Yet, these same clouds can also present a darker, more turbulent side—suggesting the weight of sadness and uncertainty that often accompanies a departure.
This depicts the skyscape as not a "place" but a landscape of the soul. The result pulls the viewer in to reflect on their own experiences of love, separation, and the ever-changing seasons of life.
Half of the proceeds of this exhibition will go to support Giant Steps School where Julia’s son, now almost 18, flourishes with individualised attention. When Julia is not painting or advocating for or looking after Jack and her two vivacious daughters, she fund-raises for Giant Steps.
Landscape Painter, based in Sydney Australia
My previous work, “Sublimation” visually contemplates how societally unacceptable impulses or idealisations are transformed into acceptable actions or behaviours. The paintings are a dramatic expression of veiled emotions. Depicting the skyscape as not a "place" but a landscape of the soul.The result pulls the viewer in to contemplate the underlying tenderness and inner turmoil. These unsavoury emotions are often requested societally to be hidden as they are with the soft fluffy clouds, which are "almost" happy.
South Coast Photo-real
“View from Bull Pup Beach”
Acrylic on Canvas 60x 48cm - Sold
“Crampton Island”
Acrylic on Canvas 50x 30cm
“Kioloa Boat Ramp”
Acrylic on Canvas 50 x 40cm- Sold
Textural exploration
“Shadow Play”
Installation, Tryptic Acrylic on wood panel, Liz Tieu Salon
“Shades of Grey”
Right: Commission, Kirribilli, Left: Auction item, Giant Steps Ball
Acrylic on Wood Panel 110x110
“Four rights don’t make a wrong”
Acrylic on Wood Panel 36cmx 36cm each framed
Commissions
Natalie, Paddington:
“Thank you @julianorton_artist for these stunning pieces”
Mandi, Killara:
“Thank you for making the idea come to life! You are very talented”
