Artist bio

Finding a way to bring classical literature, scripture, poetry, music, and opera to life in a visual way has been very satisfying for me as an artist. As I write this, I can attest that there is no other artist creating art in this way. Some artists paint on top of novel pages or music sheets, some super impose a photograph on top of words, but none like my unique method of sculpting text or music to fit the subject, giving it dimension. I started out as a visual learner, an artist. I imagine I hadn’t any choice in the matter from the time I was small and remembered how my name looked, not so much how it was spelled. Letters and words to me have always been more than a language. They are shapes. I probably read much slower than most people because I am distracted by how words look — some are very pretty, some not as much. But I love them all. I would even look at a page of print and try to make an image out of the random white spaces. Words are language which is amazing in itself, then there being a way to communicate precisely by handwriting a series of “letters” to be come words and words become stories, become messages, become communication. A miracle! In working as a graphic designer, I am required to work numerous hours to perfect the look and visual aesthetics of an ad layout, logo, trade show exhibit, etc. I can fuss relentlessly on the kerning and spacing, fonts choices and weights; Light, Roman, Bold, Italic, San Serif vs Serif, on and on. There came time many years ago when I wanted to go further. It was more of something I wanted to do for myself and I knew this wasn’t something I would use in commercial art. I wanted to use it in fine art, on a canvas. I feel art should have an emotional connection and I wished to create that deep connection to the viewer of my artwork. Over the past years I strive to refine my own unique style with flowing typography and music bars. I finally landed some good results from my art studies using my theories on Sculpted Text and Sculpted Music. It is a direct influence from my career as a graphic designer, my love for typography and the world’s love for classical music and literary arts. Combined on canvas with paint, I feel I have found something very moving to me and to those who view my art. The text or music within my artistic subject matter is from beloved literature, novels, poems, song lyrics, music and Biblical scripture. We all love to read a wonderful story. This is a tribute to those wonderful stories and other articles of writing and music that; encourage, remind, inspire.

Title

Armed in The Word

Medium/Genre

Mixed Media

Artist Statement

Starting first with the Word of God in scripture, I express how the passage embodies the human form. When we are Armed in The Word, we have the means to defend our faith. In my art, I have discovered a unique way to contour words onto a shape optically. This gave me the ideal way to show how the scriptural passage can be our personal inspiration in the battle against evil. Because the passage comes from bible pages, I honor the printed Word by returning the optically manipulated words back onto paper. From there I glue it to canvas and then paint on top. Please note that the words are digitally manipulated, printed out on paper and THEN I paint on top of it. I do not draw out each word.

How it fits into contest

My artwork; "Armed in The Word" is a visual expression of the Spiritual Battle. I used the motifs and symbols in the scripture passage (Ephesians 6:10-20) of the armor because they are so visually meaningful.We look to Heaven for our support, while always near are the temptations of Satan. I chose to crop in closely to the face of our warrior as not to miss the scripture on her skin, her most powerful weapon.

How to Purchase this Artwork

I will have prints available on my website soon. Please inquire about the original art (mixed media, 18"x18" on canvas), as of now, I am uncertain I wish to sell it.

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Most of my available work is for sale. The digital images can be purchased for commercial use. To watch as my new works are released when they are finished, it is best to follow me on social media (Julie Anna Lewis artist) or visit my website at http://www.JulieAnnaLewis.com or google me.

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