Artist Spotlight: Julie Maida
The Art Source – Featured Artist Spotlight
Based just outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Julie has been making art for as long as she can remember, always pulled toward creativity, color, and the outdoors.
“I’ve always been drawn to creativity and the outdoors,” she says. “I just never really stopped pursuing the things I love most.” That steady pull shows up in her work, which often carries hints of coastlines, gardens, and wide open skies, even when the subject changes.
Meet Julie
Julie works primarily in watercolor and acrylic, but she doesn’t box herself in. Her studio is a space for trying things, layering ideas, and seeing what happens when different materials and techniques meet. While others might describe her work as serene or delicate, Julie sees it as a reflection of her curiosity.
“I love exploring mediums and techniques,” she shares. “I’m inspired by nature and color. Exploring the outdoors and discovering the natural world never gets old for me.”
Her palette leans toward greens, blues, and soft oranges and corals, colors that echo beaches, gardens, and open landscapes. Faith also plays a role in how she sees the world and, in turn, how she approaches her work. “I think the world is created and designed, and I marvel at the complexity and beauty of our creator made,” she says.
What Inspires Her Work
Julie’s ideas often start outside. A morning in the garden might lead to a new botanical piece. A day near the ocean might send her reaching for deeper blues. Living in a rural area not far from the Shenandoah mountains means trees, hills, and open land frequently find their way into her compositions.
“I’ll often feel inspired by whatever experience I’m having outdoors,” she explains. “Something like gardening might make me want to create botanical art, or being near the ocean will make me want to use a lot of blues.”
That openness to experience keeps her work fresh and varied, even when her favorite colors and themes stay close.
A Favorite Piece
Julie takes lots of inspiration from Hawaii, a place that continues to influence her work long after her visit.
“I’ve only been once, but I think about it all the time and want to go back someday,” she says. “Everything is so incredibly green and blue. The islands smell like plumeria flowers and fresh Pacific Ocean air.”
One of her favorite moments came while swimming with sea turtles and later watching a large group of rays swim through shallow water at sunset. That experience inspired her painting “Ray,” a piece she considers one of her favorites. “My ocean collection makes me happy because it reminds me of all my favorite places and colors,” she shares.
Quick Favorites
- Favorite color combination: Prussian blue and Veridian green
- Favorite coastal escape: Hawaii, or an East Coast beach when a tropical island isn’t in the cards
- Favorite surface to work on: Excellent paper or canvas
What She’s Working On Now
Lately, Julie has been leaning into commissions and collaborations with interior designers, creating original artwork designed specifically for the homes they’re building.
“I’m working on a project with a home builder and interior designer team where we sell original art that fits the home design exactly,” she explains. “Then I sell it with the house to the buyer.”
She’s also experimenting with blending abstraction and realism, mixing paint with graphite drawings to see where the combination leads. “I love color, texture, design, and the freedom that comes with abstract art,” she says. “People seem to love them because it’s unique, and it’s fun for me to explore and see what’s possible.”
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