Julie Pierre - Painter

Julie Pierre is a self-taught, abstract artist using acrylic paints and alcohol inks. She’s originally from Kansas, but currently resides in Lynchburg, VA. She loves to create and is most drawn to fluid art and her personal fluid style represents “release”: release of control and the acceptance of things that cannot be changed.

Contact Info:

juliepierreart@gmail.com

Instagram: @juliepierre_art

Facebook: Julie Pierre

When did you know that you wanted to be an artist?

Officially, when Disney’s Hercules came out, I met one of the animators for the film and it basically opened the door for me that I could be an artist. The type of artist I want to be has been a constant change, it’s varied from animator, to actor, to filmmaker, to painter, to now installation artist.

How does your personal story/background influence your art?

I began painting seriously and consistently about three years ago in a season of anxiety, depression, physical illness, and stress. Painting was an outlet. My early work was exclusively acrylic and black and white because at that time, I didn’t feel brave enough to take risks on my canvas. I needed to intimately know my materials and how they would respond to me. That’s also when I began developing my fluid style. I liked the feeling and the flow. I liked watching drips, having absolutely no control over where they would stray but knowing that it would be beautiful. It was a way for me to release control over to the art and relieve some of the anxiety and stress I was feeling in that season.

My most recent work is still very much a reflection of my mental health and my journey to be healthier and to be an artist, however, I’ve found the courage to introduce color and have found a wonderful friend in alcohol inks. It’s the perfect combination of fluidity, vibrancy, depth but also simplicity.

Which of your works are you most proud of?

My very first one. It’s an acrylic black and white piece that now hangs in my bedroom next to a poster that says “she believed she could so she did”. Is it the most beautiful? No. Is it the most complex? No. Is it something I’d ever post for sale? No... probably not… but it represents the beginning and I’m really proud to say I started.

What is the hardest part about being a professional artist?

Maintaining creativity.

When you paint for fun there’s no pressure to produce, but when your livelihood depends on your creativity it can cause some blockage. It can also cause a lot of guilt, knowing you need to be painting but genuinely not being able to.

I’ve been learning a lot on this topic the last few years. 1. Always give yourself grace. And 2. When it comes to creativity...there’s always more where that came from. It’s like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it will get and if you just START, it will almost always find you.