About Julie Cooper…

Having started out as a stained glass artist, designing and making windows, Julie has been painting and exhibiting since graduating from the University of Hertfordshire in 1997 with a BA Hons in Fine Art.

"Working primarily with oil paint on canvas, with palette knives, brushes and cloths abstracting, simplifying, revealing under layers; I often bring an element of drawing into the paintings using graphite, oil pastels or charcoal. Whatever the starting point, the materials and process of mark making take over.

Proably better known for making abstract paintings, often drawn from landscapes or experiences, I recently returned to more figurative work after a period as 'artist in residence' at Hixham Hall Stables near where I live in rural Hertfordshire. Horses have always inspired - their beauty, energy, mystery, power and challenging anatomy demand to be explored and represented.

Lurchers, as well as being family pets, make excellent life models and occasionally also end up being the subject of paintings. "