Meet IAVA member Julie McCurry. We asked Julie a few questions about her art practice.
What was your earliest memory of an interaction with Art?
There are actually a few interactions that I clearly remember. Earliest interaction would be when I was 6 years old. There was a poster of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the front of the classroom and I was fascinated by the use of thick impasto strokes of colour. Then when I was 7, I couldn’t understand why my peers would draw tables with the legs sticking out and not straight down, I clearly remember giving someone instructions about perspective.
How would you describe your art practice?
I’m definitely a colourist. Even looking back at work that I created over 40 years ago there is definitely a distinctive link with colour. My style changes, but the colour...never. I’ve tried to pull back with colour with certain paintings, but somehow my hand goes straight to the primary colours. My other passion is swimming, so in summer I head to a few locations always with my gouache disks, brushes and small diary to record the area where I snorkel and swim.
Do you have a favourite artist/s or artwork?
Currently my favourite artist is Australian painter Amanda Penrose-Hart represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. Her depiction of moody, misty Australian landscapes using oil paint and palette knives, mainly of the area near Bathurst and Sofala where her studio,is located is in stark contrast to my use of colour and connection to coastal areas. And Rosemary Valedon for the methodical way she plans her still life paintings.
Most recent adventure or achievement?
Most recent adventure would be my first trip out to Kings Canyon near Alice Springs(2019). Recent achievement, finalist in the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize (2020).
Any current goals you’re working towards?
Maybe just try to concentrate on creating more paintings with oils and on a larger scale over 150cm. The only problem is when you need to transport your artworks...too costly. Currently my 100cm paintings fit perfectly fine in my car.
Julie McCurry at Fishers Ghost Art Prize, 2019