life sketch

Julie Andrés (Jools) studied graphic arts and apprenticed in Los Angeles (1987-’88) with many of the city’s leading designers of the time, developing top-level old-school illustration, typography, and layout skills. During this time she also studied watercolour and oil painting at private studios and participated in solo and group exhibitions in Los Angeles, Venice, and Marina del Rey, California.

Following a move to Seattle, she was contracted by a US publisher to design and illustrate three gift books, which sold well in major retail bookstores for several years. While there, Julie also earned a degree in depth psychology and creative writing, which supported her primary career as a writer and editor.

Back home in Canada, her professional work included corporate and non-profit positions, as well as many years working independently as a writer, editor, designer, photographer, and journalist. She continues to work selectively on creative publishing projects and visual and written communications strategies.

During the pandemic, Jools returned to her long-latent art practice and is exploring with acrylics and other media. She lives in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant.

Statement

"I grew up in wild country, first in the Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada, and later on the edge of British Columbia's Chilcotin Plateau. Throughout my life I've had the heart of a naturalist. I carry a strong connection to Earth and have developed a special affinity for trees and other plants. I am now completely urbanized, but enjoy frequent use of city trails and parks and make regular ventures into Vancouver's ambient coastal forests.

"Currently, my artistic focus has veered toward leaves and petals that have detached from their trees or plants to land on water or ground, where they enter a phase of transformation that holds great beauty and is fascinating to witness.

“I endeavour to capture a sense of suspended time yet ephemeral seasonality in this exploration.

"I am grateful to live and work on the unceded traditional territory of the  xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations."