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  Julia Cameron

Having been involved in many varied forms of creative endeavour over my lifetime, upon retirement in 2003 after a 22 year career in real estate, mainly in the Stony Lake area,    I turned my interest to drawing and painting. My only previous application to fine art was during my years at North Toronto Collegiate in the “art form” which entailed one class a week for 40 minutes!

 In the interim, during the late 70’s I was a volunteer costume designer (and maker) for Huronia Players in Midland, (winning 2 Ontario Drama Festivals awards for my costume interpretations of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and the “Crucible”).  I dabbled for a few years at a pottery wheel (made nice bowls, but was a failure at pulling handles for mugs!).  I taught chair caning/rushing, as well as quilt making (contemporary & traditional) at night school through Georgian College during our latter years in Midland.  I had a shop in Midland called “The Artisans’ Market Place” which consigned the impressive work of many Midland area creative artists -  weavers, potters, woodworkers, etc. – a place where they could exhibit and sell their work at minimal ‘mark-up’.  My contribution to my store inventory was quilts, appliqués and trapunto work.  It was a great success and carried on for many years after our moving back to Toronto in 1980.  We moved to Peterborough in 1982, the home of my Grandfather and my husband’s grandfather and parents.  It also brought us closer to our roots on an island on Stony Lake – a root going back many, many generations for both me, and my husband during the summer.  

 I started attending life drawing weekly sessions at Kawartha Art Gallery and Studio in 2003.  A great re-beginning for me since it offered no instruction – just you in front of a piece of paper with pencil or charcoal and a model taking 1 minute, 10 minute and longer poses for 3 hours.  In this environment you quickly learn whether you have the ability or talent to have something come out of your head and hand that pleases you.   I loved it and still attend regularly!

 Shortly afterward I took a course with Chris Ridpath at the Peterborough Art School where he instructed me in painting with acrylic on canvas.  I loved that too!  Then, the following year I enrolled in several terms of portrait painting with Richard Hayman, Director of Peterborough Art School.  He was instrumental in switching my choice of paint medium over to oil.  I loved that too.  This year I have been studying under Pauline Bradshaw, a student of classic drawing for many years at the Florence Academy of Art, working primarily in graphite.

 This brings us to today.  Now, absolutely and fully retired, I spend much of my time at my easel or behind a sketch board at a table working in graphite.  My subject matter changes…… constantly, as I find my way.  I love photography, so most of my compositions stem from pictures I’ve taken.

My work has been shown at the Juniper Island Art Festival over the last 4 years and pieces sold are now part of private collections in Canada, the U.S. and U.K.   I participated in a large ‘3 artist’ show in 2007 “Franjuliangela”.  I have participated in many shows at the Kawartha Artists Gallery & Studio, with one piece being chosen for their juried show in 2005 and a graphite portrait winning in it’s category in 2007.  Submitted work has been chosen for the Art Rental Program at the Art Gallery of Peterborough in 2007 & 2008.  The 2007 piece, “November Apples” was sold through the program.  Some of my work is currently being shown at “The Gallery” in Lakefield, Ontario. 

                "Tabby" graphite                                                   "Celine"  graphite

                                                               "Apples"  oil

"Blue Gentian" oil