Here's my latest article for Tocal Guide: 

​Inspiration is everywhere. Usually it is something I stumble upon.  It often has to do with light; the way the light is hitting an object can make almost anything beautiful, such as dappled sunlight upon a house; golden rays touching the top of marsh grasses; the stunning peaches and pinks of glowing clouds against the blue sky. 

I am often inspired by places. It may be a walk down my street, a neighbor's yard blooming with hydrangeas, a bustling street scene or cityscape. I love to travel and explore. My family teases me for saying, “I could live here!” in just about every location we visit. Of course, the coast is my favorite, but mountains, cities, countryside, and the land in between will do! 

Humanity inspires me. My four daughters engaging in activities is always great fodder for me.  People watching is one of my favorite things to do, whether at the beach, concerts, sports or other events. 
 

So whether I'm intentionally "chasing beauty" or just happen upon it, I'm always looking for inspiration everywhere I go.  Eyes wide open! 

Here's a recent article I wrote for Tocal Guide:

Have you ever visited a working artist's studio? It's a bit like visiting someone's home; the organization, content, style are all subject to the owner's personality and preferences. 

I moved into my studio after experimenting with several makeshift spaces in my home. As my passion, skills and supplies grew, I migrated from the garage (less than ideal!), to our finished basement, home office, finally to my own dedicated art-making space--truly a game changer!
"[Your studio] is the home turf of your creative space; it remains undisturbed by the rest of the day's energies. It stays open for your arrival. When you walk in you're filled with a heightened readiness to begin. A dining room table that must be cleared off for the evening meal requires more energy from you each time you begin. But a studio collects energy and focuses it, ready for your return....It is your temple, the place where you focus your energies to express yourself. Your creative home base."-- Ian Roberts, Creative Authenticity


While I am beyond grateful for my current space, my dream studio will have large windows and a screen door open to the breeze, in a beautiful natural setting (preferably by a body of water!). 

My studio is located in Concord, NC (near Charlotte), but as evidenced by my work, my ties to coastal Georgia are strong. Please reach out if you're interested in hosting a show or commissioning a piece. To inquire, view art or shop online, please click here.

Ever wonder how a commissioned artwork is created?

I recently wrote this feature article for Tocal Guide.

A couple from San Antonio who had fallen in love with the Cloister during a recent stay reached out to me. They wanted to commission a piece specifically for their vacation home in Texas’ beautiful Hill Country.
I spent a morning photographing many views of the Cloister, circling the hotel and the marina. Crossing the bridge and entering the marsh, I shot a wider perspective of the hotel from the Black Banks River. I like to immerse myself (literally!) to get a strong sense of a place.
Returning to my studio, I sketched various compositions. My clients and I nailed down the best idea and I began the large piece, multilayered oil paint over a gessoed canvas (40x50 inches). 
As the painting neared completion, I sent images to my clients, who were thrilled with the results. After it dried, I varnished the piece and carefully shipped it in a tube. They took it to their favorite framer and selected a frame to complement the work. It now hangs proudly in their Fredericksburg home, a wonderful testament to their Sea Island memories.

EXHIBITING AT ALAMANCE ARTS
​Florals & Figures by Julia Chandler Lawing in the Sister Galleries
MAY 17 - JUNE 26, 2021

 Alamance Arts is pleased to exhibit the works of Julia Chandler Lawing, a contemporary painter who seeks to create visual poetry. Her impressions of landscapes, structures and people are characterized by gestural brushstrokes and exciting color.
“I paint women, flowers, and landscapes because I am drawn to the beauty of organic forms. Life and emotion are my objectives, not portraiture and realism. Loose, gestural strokes and unexpected color choices help me find fortitude in the gentle curves. It’s a balancing of tensions between softness and strength, peaks and valleys, chaos and order.

 View this exhibit Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. May 17 through June 28.
An in-person closing reception with Julia is scheduled for Monday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. 
A virtual reception was held on Monday, May 17 at 6 p.m. Click HERE or below to watch.
 (please note: this exhibition contains the nude figure in its natural state)

.We welcomed the beautiful month of October with an outdoor artisan market, our first Makers On The Marsh event. Held at the gorgeous Village Creek Landing, we could not have asked for better weather or scenery. The day was perfect, the crowd was engaging, the food was delicious! 

How did Makers On The Marsh come about? After Parker Gallery of Shops at Sea Island closed its doors in March, I started thinking about another way I could showcase my work on the island. My friends Stacy and Michael Gowen are owners of VCL, so I began brainstorming with Stacy and Tocal Guide's Amy Fritchman. 

Pretty soon, we had put together seven upscale vendors as well as food trucks and live music. The event featured Julia Lawing Fine Art, Heather Shadron Pottery, GraceFull Goods jewelry (Sharon Roberts), Wired Collaborative (Jessica Been), Benjamin Galland Photography, Timucua Outdoor (JonPhillip Spiers) and Merci Bouquet flower truck (Kate Dart). Delicious food (like shrimp and grits and fried catfish!) was provided by Three Little Birds Coastal Catering, Porch SSI and Kona Ice of Brunswick. Live music by Chris Rider.  

​What a day! Can't wait for the next Makers On The Marsh event!!!

Get ready, Golden Isles! Coming to the gorgeous Village Creek Landing on Thursday, October 1! From 10-8, we'll be out there with a host of goods from upscale vendors:

Julia Lawing Fine Art-- original oil paintings in a wide range of sizes/prices
Benjamin Galland Photography and books
H.Shadron Pottery
Wired Collective - Turkish rugs/home goods
Gracefull Goods - jewelry
Merci Bouquet -- floral truck
Timucua Outdoor -- saltwater fishing lures

...and more! Food trucks and live music too!
​
​Watch my instagram account for updates!

CONCORD, NC--Having been closed to the public since March, the Cabarrus Arts Council recently took some of the art in its gift shop outdoors. The turnout was terrific! 
Several of my small paintings were included in the event. The Council is planning more such events, so stay tuned.

Please contact the Cabarrus Arts Council or me if you'd like to see what else is available. And remember, when you purchase from the CAC, you are supporting LOCAL art and LOCAL artists! 

MOORESVILLE, NC -- Over 20 paintings of Julia's are now on display as Mooresville Arts' Featured Artist Exhibition. This show features Julia's works along with those of woodturner Ric Erkes, and sculptor/painter Chris McIntosh. The exhibition opened on August 14 with a socially-distanced reception and will remain until September 23.  Current gallery hours are: Thursday-Friday 12-4pm, Saturday 10a-2p, or by a appointment. Private viewing appointments are also available by emailing gallery@mooresvillearts.org.