Julie Silvers

My art is constantly evolving. I am motivated and influenced by everything around me. I paint from the heart and I hope that whoever buys my art gets the same feelings of joy as I had painting that particular piece. Each painting is unique and I hope people bond with the work in a personal and special way.

I am fascinated by the cross for its beauty and symbolism. It serves as an engaging focal point in my work, drawing the viewer in. Part of its beauty is its very personal meaning.

I was born in Memphis, Tennessee and shortly after moved to New Orleans. I am a 13 year graduate of Isidore Newman School. I feel the greatest influence on my becoming an artist is having grown up surrounded by art. My mother, Susan Wittenberg , is a well known New Orleans artist. Every day, I would talk to her while she was painting and can’t help being influenced by her style. She also published an art magazine, Les Beaux Arts and we would go to art openings on the weekends. Even though I have studied art at Tulane and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, I consider myself self taught.

My undergraduate degree was in liberal arts and I continued at Tulane University to get my Master’s of social work. But my true love is art. I am happiest when I am being creative and productive. I started out with ceramics where I would hand build mostly figurative sculptures and very large vessels. I love to work with a neutral palate and am drawn to colors that remind me of the beach and sky. All of my work involves using many layers and textures.

Like many people from New Orleans and the Gulf South, I have been tremendously affected by Hurricane Katrina. We had 6 feet of water in our home and lived in Houston for 5 months. As devastating an experience as that was, I can’t help but think also of the positives it had on my world and the amazing generosity of the people in Houston. My 13 year old daughter has made life long friends that she would have never had the opportunity to make otherwise. I also painted every day on the 23rd floor of a Hi-rise building where I would look out at incredible views. This became a time of tremendous self discovery and a chance to grow and try new things.