The River of Art is upon us once again. One of the many favourite activities of the festival are the open workshops where you can meet the artists in their workspaces. These are opportunities for those who aspire to be artists to drink in the stimulation of the workspace, the ambience that inspires, the sounds, the smells, the aspects. To possible buyers it is an opportunity to tie a piece to a person, to personalise the providence of a purchased piece. One artist that you will not meet in her workspace this River of Art festival is Julie Holmes. Julie Mia Holmes is an exceptional talent. Living and working in Moruya as a printmaker and artist Julie exhibits Australia wide. Having studied printmaking and drawing with Honours at the ANU's School of Art in Canberra, Julie is happiest elbow deep in ink and playing with paper. While Julie would have loved to had time to guide visitors around her workspace time placed other demands however she did give The Beagle a quick tour Arriving at Julie's workshop and studio your eye is first drawn to the very impressive printing press that occupies the space. Julie says "The Press has a name - The Black Pearl, she's my trusty ship for sailing high seas!"
Cast your eye around the workshop and, as always, you are attracted to the artists pinboards that are always a give away of past and current influences and new directions. Julie catches my prying, "I love that Judy Horacek postcard!" she calls. "The Mary Oliver poem "The Journey" is a bit special too, a reminder to keep going."
Click the above for larger images:
Taking time to pause and read the Mary Oliver poem it would have been a perfect message for any budding artists who happened by the workshop. The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save. To the side of the press lies a new series of works ready for framing and display over the River of Art festival. These are all new pieces, a continuation of her Midden Constellations series.
To capture and define Julie, the artist and print maker she suggests it is best done through a quote from one of her favourite novels
“Life: a constellation of vital phenomena—organization, irritability, movement, growth, reproduction, adaptation.” ― Anthony Marra, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
Julie is a lover of all things animal, vegetable and mineral.
She likes to remind people of the little things, the tiny microcosms and natural curiosities in our environment that we tend to forget.
The natural world’s adaptability in times of stress reflects a beauty and fragility. It is a mirror of the human condition and a reminder of our connection with it.
Her current work explores the tidelines of our beaches and their connection with the constellations above us.
Presently in a show in Queenscliffe, Victoria that coincides with the Queenscliffe Literary Festival throughout May her work there is part of a literary themed print show. 30 printmakers were selected and allocated an author each. Julie was given Edgar Allen Poe and as a lover of animals and birds it was inevitable that she might chose The Raven. Julie Mia Holmes - New works will be on display at the Moruya Bookshop from the 19th to 28th of May at 9 Church Street, Moruya
