Hometown Living At Its Best 115
A life of Painting
Julia Chandler
Lawing creates
images inspired by
her life journey,
expressing her
impressions in
compositions
of landscapes,
structures and
figures.
Julia was continually recognized
and awarded for her artistic talent
throughout her school years. Born in
Atlanta, Julia relocated to St. Simons
Island, Georgia, with her family at age
12. The privilege of growing up in such
a beautiful location marked her with
an ever-insatiable desire for salt air,
sunshine and nature.
Julia earned a BA in Journalism
at The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (’90), which she
supplemented with drawing and art
history courses. While employed at
Savannah College of Art and Design,
and later, the Charlotte Observer, she
continued pursuing art through night
classes in everything from stained
glass and woodworking to ceramics
and pastels. As a young mother, Julia’s
artistic outlets included creating
artwork alongside her four daughters,
teaching elementary art at their school,
and docenting at the Cabarrus County
Arts Council. In 2014, Julia began
oil painting under the mentorship of
nationally renowned artist and teacher,
Andy Braitman.
Julia paints and resides in
Concord, North Carolina, with her
husband Bruce, four teenage daughters,
and black Labrador Lincoln, who are
constantly forgiving her for not having
dinner ready on time, crowding the
garage with canvases, and leaving
traces of paint everywhere.
Julia’s work is currently on display
and for purchase at Elements Bistro
and Grill in Lyons. You can also learn
more about her at:
I paint because it engages my senses, my mind, my soul, and stirs a
passion in me unlike anything else. My aim is visual poetry that is
simultaneously elusive and evocative. I want the viewer to look into
the painting, not merely at it. Combining brushmarks, knifework and
reverberating color, I desire to send the viewer on a journey that speaks
life to the soul. It’s as much about the interplay of paint and surface as
it is about the visual subject itself. My desire is to give narration to the
beauty that captivated my attention in the first place, and for my marks
to reflect that vitality. My art exploration parallels my faith. There’s
no end to the journey, but the reward is a wellspring of revelation that
helps me know myself, the world, and my God more fully.
–Julia Chandler Lawing
Artist Julia Lawing’s work makes its
way to Toombs County
julialawing.com
704-796-8253
julialawing@gmail.com
IG: @julialawingart
FB: facebook.com/julialawingfineart/