Julie A. Davis is a native of central Vermont and a self-taught painter.  She was granted a fellowship to attend the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson in the early 90s and has returned many times over the past 30 years. During her time at VSC, she was invited to paint at the Fine Art Center in Provincetown, where she returned on an annual basis. 

Julie is a well-known plein air painter in the area and has an active studio practice. Her subjects vary with environment and desire—landscapes, florals, figures, and abstract work are all fair game as she approaches the canvas. In the same way, her palette and use of materials vary as the need arises. Once coined a “naturalistic expressionist,” her focus is on sharing the workings of her inner experience using subjects from the natural world. 

“Painting feels like a physical act—a walk into a secret garden where I am safe to feel, converse, and invent. When I paint, I often muse on various mindsets and personalities as an actor on a stage. Plein air work activates my need for adventure and challenge, while back in the studio, I can recover calm and contemplation. The goal is satisfaction in the process—the final expression—a hope that it speaks to others.”