Julie Dix (b. 1974 Toronto, Canada) is a Toronto-based artist.

Growing up North of Toronto in Barrie, Ontario, her childhood was filled with music, the arts, literature, and the outdoors. During these impressionable years all these things would contribute to her developing a true passion for art, and a growing connection and respect of nature.

In 2001 she picked up her roots and moved to Toronto to study at the Ontario College of Art and Design. At that time, the skyline was still open blue, independent thrived, and the city still had its grit from the decades before. With the absence of social media as we now know, magazines, books, flyers to art shows, and word of mouth were the sources of discovering art both old and new which allowed for little outside influence while there. OCAD offered moments that would shift and hone her style in both drawing and painting, taking inspiration from influential teachers that helped develop her work of flowing landscapes and portraits, an introduction to the meaning of scale, and understanding and appreciation of abstract.

She completed a BFA Degree in Drawing and Painting in 2006. While continuing art, she also began a career in the music industry where she continues to work. In the 2010’s, motherhood would pause her creativity, returning to art as her daughter grew older. The past several years has been prolific, creating her most meaningful work to date.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

The ongoing theme in my art is fantasy in the form of landscapes and portraits. Painting for me is spontaneous, and often emotional as I tap into memories and how I am feeling in the moment, from the negative that does your mind no good, to the positive that sets your mind free.

I often do not have a plan or references when starting a painting, rather working with colours until shapes appear creating an image to work with, the result being complex, sensitive, and delicate, but also dark.