About the Artist
Julia Watson
My inspiration comes from color and design that inspire emotion. My paintings aren't always flowers, but many of them are because I love their varied forms.
I've studied privately and in workshops with Scott Burdick, Susan Lyon, Rose Frantzen, George Rivera, Warren Chang and Mary Whyte, I'm a member of Oil Painters of America (OPA) and the California Art Club (CAC). I live and paint in San Jose, California. My work has been juried into several California Art Club Shows, invited shows at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara and has won awards in the Los Gatos Art Association Juried Show (see the formal list at the bottom of this page).
I'm also the Co-Director of Gallery 24 in Los Gatos, California and that's where you'll see most of my work. At a time when so many galleries are closing their doors, Gallery 24 is flourishing, and I'm proud to show my work there, alongside accomplished artists and fellow members.
watch a video of one of my paintings taking shape ...
my favorite art supplies and books ...
Ampersand Gessobord panels, Gamblin paints, Rosemary brushes, Trekell brushes, BFK Rives paper, Akua inks and Schmincke inks for monoypes. My favorite art books include Alla Prima by Richard Schmid, Wondrous Strange - The Wyeth Tradition, Classical Painting Atelier by Juliette Aristides and Realists at Work by John Arthur.
just for fun, here's some of the music I paint with ...
Jessie Mueller, She Used to be Mine (Waitress) ** Andres Segovia, Suite Española, Asturias ** Sutherland and Pavarotti, Un Di Felice Eterea (Verdi) ** Teddy Thompson, Right ** Ingrid Michaelson, Over ** Billy Bragg & Wilco, California Stars ** Percy Sledge, That’s How Strong My Love Is ** Phillipa Soo, That Would Be Enough (Hamilton)
And on a more serious note ...
Although I now work full time in art, I have a Ph.D. in microbiology and worked for many years in research. As a scientist, I know how important research is to finding new treatments for diseases. I support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in their mission to find new cures for childhood cancer, and to treat sick children without regard to their ability to pay. From time to time, I announce online sales where part of the proceeds from paintings sold on my website go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Selected Shows
2022 Harrington Gallery, Allied Artists West, “Road Trip”
2020 Los Altos Library, Allied Artists West, “What is Home?”
2019, 2016 Bold Brush Online Show "Top 15% Favorites"
2018, 2017, 2015 Harrington Gallery, “Fresh Works”
2018 Santa Cruz Art League, “88th Landscape Exhibition”
2017 Las Lagunas Gallery “Small Works, Big Talent”
2016 Harrington Gallery, Allied Artists West, “California Dreaming”
2016 Pacific Grove Art Center, Allied Artists West, “Out of the Blue”
2015 California Art Club, “Beauty of the Seasons”
2015 Los Gatos Art Association, “Greater Bay Area Open”
2014 Carmel Visual Arts, “Heart of Steinbeck Country”
2014 Randy Higbee Gallery, “Urban Beauty”
2014 Triton Museum of Art, “Statewide Painting Salon”
2013 Triton Museum of Art, Invited Artist, “Fall Floral Festival”
2013 Filoli, “Nature’s Many Splendors”
2013 California Art Club, “Small Scenes”
2013 Debra Huse Gallery, “Holiday Treasures Salon”
2012 Los Gatos Open Juried Show
2011 Los Gatos Art Association Open Juried Show
2010 California Art Club, “Magnificent Miniatures”
