Julia Contacessi is a Norwalk, Connecticut-based artist with a mesmerizing talent for layering calming water colors. Love sky blues and vibrant violets? Julia’s your girl. This contemporary abstract artist explains her process as a combination of conscious and subconscious exploration. With a focus on color, texture and composition, Julia strives to delivers an atmospheric, feel-good effect in every one of her pieces.
Read our interview with this talented abstract artist below!
My goal is to drown out the noise and clutter to find a sense of calm. The end result is clean, fresh and modern.
Why did you decide to paint?
Some days creating can be a battle, but then there is that moment when I layer on the paint just right — so that it dances in time and space. The canvas yields to my will, and I know I’ve just begun to capture something meaningful. That‘s when I have to catch my breath. It’s fascinating and wonderful, while at the same time, a struggle. The beauty emerges from the tension of those two emotions. That’s why I paint. My style is single-minded and focused on the simplicity of beauty in the moment.
Creativity is: a problem solver!
I am inspired by (person, place, thing, etc.): amazing design, natural light and positive energy.
I would describe my process as: an evolution, definitely!!
The three words that best describe my work: calming, feel-good, day-dreamy.
The time period/era that inspires me most: Abstract Expressionism Movement of the 1940s and 50s.
The best advice I’ve ever received as an artist:
I was lucky enough to study under Charles Goslin for 2 years at Pratt. He was a wealth of wisdom. I remember him reminding me, “Be intentional with every mark you make.” He would then refer to a detail of something, “Is this intentional? If it is, it should feel that way.”
To me, my art is/means:
My work is how I problem solve and find balance. My goal is to focus on the simplicity of beauty in the moment — to drown out the noise and clutter to find a sense of calm.
My prints will look perfect in: whatever you love, so that whenever you look at it, it makes you smile.
Shop Julia’s Work on Chairish >>
You can follow Julia on Instagram @fineartcontacessi
