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| Cobalt II Copyright: Julie Umerle |
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1. What are you doing today?
Today I’m in the studio planning my next series of paintings, writing a shopping list of art materials as well as making a few sketches. I’ve selected the colours and the size of stretchers I want to work with, and checked my stock to see what materials I already have.
2. Tell us about your creative process.
The creative process is always a mysterious one to pin down. I tend to paint in series so that one idea will develop from the previous and runs seamlessly throughout my work. In a sense, an idea is always developing and never really complete.
3. Describe where you do most of your creative work.
I do most of my creative work in the studio, a converted fire station in the East End of London. The building is over 100 years old. There are 18 studios in the building but most of the time there’s very few people there during the day. My studio is a large square space. It has a wonderful skylight and a wall of windows. It’s freezing cold in winter!
4.What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on?
I would say the most exciting project I’ve worked on so far has been my MFA exhibition in a New York gallery, where I showed a few key paintings from my two years of study at Parsons School of Design. It was the culmination of so many new ideas and wonderful experiences that came from that time.
5.What made you decide to become an artist?
I’ve always had an artist’s temperament and an ability to paint. For many years, I couldn’t find where I fitted into the world. I’ve always felt an outsider. When I finally decided to become an artist, it was with a sense of relief. I could then concentrate on learning my craft and work towards developing my practice.
6.What are you currently working on?
I have recently made four pieces for a secret art postcard sale, ‘Another World’, an exhibition of original artworks to be shown at the Deutsche Bank Lounge during Frieze London. To celebrate 100 years of women getting the vote, Tracey Emin has curated the exhibition by living female artists from the Deutsche Bank collection. There are over 220 female artists taking part. All cards will be sold in aid of charity supporting vulnerable women. A selection of these will be sold online during Frieze, commencing 5 October 2018.
7. Do you listen to music while you work, and if so, what’s your soundtrack?
I always used to listen to loud music whilst painting (much to the annoyance of my studio neighbours) but now I often work in silence or tuned in to Radio Four.
8. What are the key themes in your work?
Colour, space and mark-making are the key themes in my work.
9. What would you like people to notice in your work?
I’d like people to engage with my work through whatever means. I believe a
painting should be able to communicate for itself without the viewer being directed towards a particular understanding.
10. What attracts you to the mediums you work in?
As an abstract artist I love the physicality and substance of paint, the fluidity of the medium. I love working with colour (or sometimes in monochrome). I enjoy changing the appearance and consistency of the paint through the use of various additives. I am always surprised by what can be achieved, either working with the natural flow of the medium or trying to control it.
11. What equipment could you not do without?
I could not do without my paint brushes. Some of them are very old and battered. Some are worn out and barely functioning. Others are more cared for. They are all invaluable.
12. Who or what inspires you?
Frida Kahlo inspires me. There’s a postcard of her pinned up on my studio wall which I look at frequently. It’s a photograph of Frida Kahlo in Mexico with one of her surgeons, Dr Farik. She sits beside an easel, palette and brushes in hand.
13. How does gender affect your work?
It’s much more difficult to gain recognition as a female artist. But there seems to be a serious attempt to change the gender balance within the art world at the moment which is long overdue.
14. What’s your favourite gallery, or place to see or experience art?
My favourite place to see art is at Tate Modern in London.
15. If you could own one piece of art, what would it be and why?
I would choose a painting by a living artist. I could live very happily with any of the Tomma Abts’ paintings that I saw in the Serpentine Gallery this summer.
16. If you could collaborate with one artist, from any time, who would it be, and why?
I would have liked to have collaborated with Joan Mitchell, a second-generation Abstract Expressionist. She worked at a time when female artists were even less visible than they are now. Yet she succeeded in becoming one of the foremost abstract painters of her generation. I particularly admire the energy of her paintings.
17. Is there an artist, movement or collective you’d like to see re-evaluated, or a contemporary artist who is underrated?
So many contemporary artists working today are underrated, particularly painters. I think it would be unfair to pick out just one.
18. What’s your favourite colour :)
My favourite colour is Blue.
Sotheby's Charity Auction: Organized by the Rotary Club to benefit Desideria, a dementia charity
5 October 2023, 5pm
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Delighted to be taking part in a charity art auction at Sotheby's in Cologne on 5 October 2023. The auction will benefit a dementia charity.
My donated painting, Cobalt, is listed as Lot 156 (please see catalogue for details). All works will be exhibited at Sotheby's, Palais Oppenheim, Cologne throughout the previous week, starting 28 September.
If you are unable to be at Sotheby's on the 5 October for the auction, you can participate live via telephone, whatsapp or written bid!
Catalogue available online: Please click here for link.
Save the date!
Delighted to be taking part in a charity art auction at Sotheby's, Cologne on 5 October 2023. The auction will benefit a dementia charity.
My donated painting, Cobalt, is listed as Lot 156 (please see catalogue for details).
All works will be on display at Sotheby's throughout the previous week.
Bids can be made online.
Please click link for online catalogue
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| © Julie Umerle |
Split Infininity III immediately captures the viewer's attention with its vibrant colours and dynamic composition. Umerle's distinctive style is evident in this piece, as she expertly blends abstraction with a sense of structure and balance.
The title, Split Infinity III, suggests a theme of duality and infinity. The painting is divided into two distinct halves, each characterized by its own unique colour palette and brushwork. On one side, there is a bold, energetic explosion of warm hues, while the other side features cooler, more subdued tones. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension, inviting the viewer to explore the interplay between the two halves.
Umerle's mastery of colour is evident throughout the painting.
As one gazes at Split Infinity III, a sense of movement and rhythm emerges. Umerle's brushwork and composition guide the viewer's eye across the canvas, creating a dynamic visual experience. The painting seems to pulsate with energy, as if capturing a fleeting moment of motion frozen in time. The artist's ability to convey a sense of movement within a static medium is truly remarkable.In essence,
Split Infinity III is a testament to Julie Umerle's artistic prowess. The painting showcases her skillful handling of colour and composition, resulting in a visually striking and emotionally engaging artwork. It invites viewers to immerse themselves in the interplay of colours, to explore the tension between opposing forces, and to contemplate the infinite possibilities that lie within the split.
Julie Umerle is a contemporary artist known for abstract painting, often characterised by bold colours and dynamic compositions.
With an impressive portfolio spanning decades and a reputation for innovative and thought-provoking works, Julie Umerle's artist residency at the London Marriott in Canary Wharf began in 2017, an exciting collaboration between art and hospitality.
Umerle has captivated audiences around the world with her dynamic and evocative artworks. Known for her ability to blend bold colours and intricate textures, Umerle's paintings offer a unique perspective on the human experience. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums, and she has received critical acclaim for her ability to challenge conventional artistic boundaries.
Visitors to London Marriott Canary Wharf have the opportunity to view Umerle's paintings in a curated exhibition, 'In Residence', providing a lasting legacy of this extraordinary collaboration.
London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf, 22 Hertsmere Road, London E14 4ED
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© Julie Umerle |
'Clear Light (turquoise)' by Julie Umerle is a painting from the 'Clear Light' series that embodies an ethereal and serene ambiance. The artist skillfully blends elements of abstract and contemporary styles to create a visually striking composition.
At first glance, 'Clear Light (turquoise)' exudes a sense of tranquility, drawing viewers into its vibrant and harmonious world. The dominant turquoise hue dominates the canvas, evoking a feeling of calmness and clarity. The colour's coolness is balanced with gentle variations and subtle transitions, creating a captivating interplay of light and shade.
Umerle's brushstrokes in 'Clear Light (turquoise)' are fluid and dynamic, lending a sense of movement and energy to the piece. The painting's surface is a testament to the artist's mastery, with layers of paint blending seamlessly and revealing glimpses of underlying textures. This technique adds depth and dimension to the artwork, inviting viewers to explore its intricacies.
The title, 'Clear Light', suggests a transcendent quality that permeates the painting. It alludes to a spiritual or metaphysical experience where one encounters a state of inner clarity and illumination. The turquoise colour further enhances this idea, as it is often associated with qualities such as balance, healing, and communication.
'Clear Light (turquoise)' invites viewers to immerse themselves in its contemplative atmosphere. It encourages introspection and introspective thought. The painting serves as a visual reminder of the beauty and tranquility that can be found in moments of stillness and inner peace.
'Clear Light (turquoise)' has the power to captivate and inspire. Its vibrant colour palette, fluid brushwork, and underlying themes make it a focal point for contemplation, inviting viewers to delve into the depths of their own consciousness and embrace the serenity and clarity that "Clear Light" represents.
