We first met Julia Ferguson when she entered and won our 2023 Young Adult Award from the Onward & Upward Artist Showcase Contest with her powerful piece, “With Resilience.”
Julia, an alumna of The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, has already made a name for herself in the art world, earning multiple accolades, including a Scholastic Art Gold Key for her work “Death to the Heart” and a distinguished rating of four at the VASE state art competition for “Falling Petals.”
Julia’s Winning Artwork: “With Resilience“
“My brother’s dedication to swimming inspired me to create this artwork. When I think of empowerment, of uplifting every voice, I think of my brother Julius, specifically when he is competitively swimming. He gets up early in the morning for swim practice, goes to school, trains in the afternoon, and then does it all over again the next day. His dedication to the sport is inspiring and leads me to believe that he is the perfect example of someone who deserves to be uplifted, one of many.”
-Julia
Julia’s Art is Now Available
We are thrilled to share some exciting news with all art enthusiasts and collectors! Julia’s original artwork is now available for purchase. This marks a significant milestone in Julia’s artistic journey, and we couldn’t be prouder to offer you the chance to own a piece of her unique and captivating creations.
Julia has been painting and drawing for as long as she can remember, and her passion for art started at an early age. “I first became aware of my desire to become an artist as a child,” Julia recalls. “I couldn’t quite understand why art was so captivating. Maybe I just liked colors, or maybe I just liked creating something out of nothing. Whatever it was, I knew I couldn’t escape my passion for it.”
Julia’s dedication to her craft was evident even in her younger years. She would often scavenge for unique reference photos to paint and sometimes even painted over her older works to avoid buying more canvases. Her relentless practice eventually paid off as she began to see significant improvement in her art.
In junior high, Julia decided to take her skills to the next level. Along with her school art classes, she started attending The Woodlands Academy of Art, where she later worked as an instructor. “At Woodlands, I learned more advanced concepts, like recognizing different values, the saturation of hues, and mastering the dry brush technique,” Julia explained.
As she embarks on her journey at the Rhode Island School of Design, starting as a freshman in 2024, Julia aims to acquire critical skills and techniques that will refine her artistry. She hopes that the classes she takes will not only help her perfect her craft but also assist her in marketing her work, allowing her to glorify God through her art.
Julia is dedicated to expanding her online presence on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where she displays her original paintings and prints. She considers the experience gained from promoting her artwork on social media to be beneficial for her prospective career in the art industry.
Inspiring Art Through Faith
Julia aspires to be a gallery artist who evokes the world’s beauty, consistently attributing her inspiration to God. She aims to produce art that is not only inspiring but also uplifting, mirroring her profound faith and dedication to her artistry.
Julia is deeply inspired by Daria Callie, a celebrated oil painter known for her captivating portraits on YouTube and Instagram. Early in her artistic journey, Julia was drawn to Callie’s distinctive style, often painting in sync with her online tutorials. Callie’s art, featuring realistic figures against abstract backdrops, exudes a surreal charm that deeply touches Julia. She admires the seamless fusion of realism and abstraction in Callie’s work, a synergy that lends an otherworldly allure to each piece. Driven by this admiration, Julia infuses her own portraits with this blend, aspiring to evoke the same transcendent beauty that defines Callie’s paintings.
What Has Been the Most Rewarding Part of Your Artistic Journey so Far?
“The most rewarding part of my artistic journey so far has been getting the opportunity to go all in at Rhode Island School of Design to pursue art to the best of my ability. I am so grateful to soon be surrounded by other artists to challenge myself and obtain different perspectives about creating, as well as potentially having more doors be opened. The exact opportunities I have been given now are exactly what childhood me would have wanted. I can’t remember a time when I did not desire to be an artist, and I truly think that desire has shaped my journey from when I was young to now”
Julia Ferguson
Onward and Upward Young Adult Winner 2023
How Julia Stays Balanced
While Julia’s artistic pursuits are a significant part of her life, she prioritizes her relationship with God and her family, as they are the foundation of who she is today. She strives to ensure that her passion for art does not overshadow her relationships or her faith.
As she begins classes at the Rhode Island School of Design on September 4th, Julia plans to focus primarily on the art she creates for her education, much like she did in high school. She believes that prioritizing her academic success will ultimately allow her to create higher-quality art.
Throughout her journey, Julia remains committed to consistently posting on social media and promoting her work through her website, JuliaFergusonArt. By maintaining this balance, she hopes to stay true to her values while continuing to grow as an artist.
