Julie Hutchings

Julie resides on a property at Grafton & has been exhibiting as a professional artist since 2000.
In her late teens she met & married husband John who was a very successful premier jockey on the northern rivers NSW..& her early years were dedicated to her young family & the racing industry.
In 1992 Julie made history by becoming the first female to be elected to the Clarence River Jockey Club Board of Directors.

PUBLICATIONS & AWARDS:
One of several artists featured in book published in 2012 Portrait Artists Australia.
Published articles in art magazines & newspapers.
Twice Finalist in International Cricket Prize
2019:Finalist in the National STILL award
2019:Finalist Naked & Nude Award
2018:Finalist in Jacaranda Aquisitive Drawing Award
2017:Awarded the Yulgilbar Travelling Fellowship.France/Belgium
2019:Anzac ..ABC tv 7.30 report interview
2013:Finalist in Northern Rivers Portrait Prize.
2013:Finalist in Manning Art Prize (Naked & Nude)
2012:Winner Best Emerging Artist Brisbane Rotary Art Prize
2011:Winner Bendigo Bank Art Prize

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am predominantly an oil painter .The human figure is one of my main sources of inspiration. I fascilitate Life Drawing sessions once a week in Grafton.A strong drawing will  form the bones of a good painting therefore most of my time is dedicated to this discipline. My paintings develop from a deep emotional state, whether from current situations or something from the past. I have a very strong connection to the land & a love of animals, this reflects in my art. I dont always have a preconceived idea of what I want to paint.      I start by drawing in charcoal..making marks & gestures. I continue to to develop the process by drawing & painting & eliminating, thats when the ideas start to present themselves & a narrative begins to emerge. Social & political issues do influence my work from time to time however in a suble way. When I paint I concentrate only on my own aesthetics & what I want to convey all the time maintaining the spontaneity & movement to eventually tell a story with energy, expression & emotion.