“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Biography
Julie Hawkins is an abstract painter from Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Her works are created out of intuition through spontaneous movement and expressive brushstrokes. Julie’s painting practice is an integral part of her ability to live a mindful life. She is a self-taught artist although formally educated in interior design.
Julie has exhibited her work in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and New York City. She has been working as a professional artist for over 15 years, selling work directly at exhibitions as well as through gallery representation.
Artist Statement
My work is rooted in abstract painting as a means of emotional expression and exploration. Through layered marks, colour, and form, I investigate the tension between release and restraint, freedom and boundary—contrasts that echo both inner experiences and the broader human condition. Often referencing organic forms and more recently, aerial perspectives, my paintings blur the line between the terrestrial and the intangible, inviting viewers to shift between grounded and expansive viewpoints.
Creating art is a deep, intuitive process for me—a compulsion that taps into a level of consciousness beyond words. It’s how I process the world and connect with others on a more essential, emotional plane. I paint to transmit joy, clarity, and love, and I strive to infuse each piece with uplifting energy. My hope is that my work resonates in a personal way, offering a sense of wonder, vitality, and beauty to the spaces it inhabits.
