Photo by Laura Wencker

Julie Austin (b. 1991) is a mixed-media artist based in the Loire Valley, France. Through a slow and tactile practice rooted in natural materials, she explores the subtle relationships between people, land, and memory.

Working primarily on wood panels, she builds each painting through layers of earth pigments, hand-dyed papers colored with botanical dyes, acrylic paint, collage, and pastel.

Julie finds inspiration in the seasonal cycles of growth and rest expressed through flowers, plants, and landscapes, and is particularly drawn to antique textiles and weathered folk objects. Her textured paintings celebrate the beauty of the traces left by time and use, and the expression of our often-unseen reciprocity with the living world.

Born into a French-American family, Julie's interest in cultural lineage and belonging grew from a lifelong exploration of her dual heritage. Before dedicating herself fully to her art, she worked as a naturopath and organic farmer. These experiences continue to inform her practice today.

Exhibitions

• 2024 - Pellieux Gallery (France)

• 2024 - Local Library (France)