Julie Swinsco

Fine Artist and Image Maker

The depiction of movement and energy is a constant theme within my artwork, although the subject matter and media I use often vary. I am a painter, printmaker, and photographer, and like most artists, I use whatever media is best suited to reveal my vision and express my voice. 

The portrayal of the female figure is a recurring theme: how we interact with each other and our environment, whether jumping in the sea or dancing. I may depict this more realistically, using oils or acrylic, or use homemade brushes and inks in a looser, more abstract manner to render the sensuous and liberating movements of a figure.

As a photographer, I like to work with the female figure and projection, layering onto the figure images and text whilst getting the model to react to this situation with evocative body language. These shots are often starting points for more abstract artwork, again capturing the dynamism of the figure. I often like to use texture and layers in this artwork, for example, to interpret the atmosphere and mood.

What interests me, whatever my subject matter, is capturing the essence of the pose, the emotion of the situation, and the finer qualities of light. My images begin as a drawing from life or from my own photographs. I like adapting these, using various media, including Photoshop, watercolours, acrylics, oils, mixed media, mono printing, etchings and lino. Most of my work retains some detail but also a recognition of the media used, and I like to allow the paint to drip, interact and become part of the composition.