Julia Katz



Red Trim

2009
oil on panel
18"x 24"


"Two Couples"
18"x 24", oil on panel




"Pink Dress"
18"x 24", ol on panel




"Male"
18"x 24" oil on panel




"Solo"
18"x 24", oil on panel




"Shadow Dance"
18"x 24", oil on panel




"Back to Back"
18"x 24", oil on panel




"Freestyle"
36"x 48", oil on panel




"Twirl"
36"x 48", oil on panel




"Pool Party 1"
24"x 18", acrylic on panel




"Pool Party 2"
24"x 18", acrylic on panel




"Pool Party 3"
24"x 18", acrylic on panel




"Pool Party 4"
24"x 18", acrylic on panel




"Pool Party 5"
24"x 18", acrylic on panel



ARTIST STATEMENT

I began the "Dance Marathon" series with the simple intention of communicating the joy of life and movement. Dancers move with partners or alone, expressing internal rhythms and responding to music and each other. The first paintings were of a young couple salsa dancing and then I moved on to other dancing subjects. I wanted the paintings to be less about the idealized prettiness of the dance, and more about the nature of self-expression and human interaction.

A dancer's movement through time and space is an idea that I try to convey in the way that I apply the paint. The image of the dancers is static, but I attempt to imply movement with dynamic marks and color choices. In the oil paintings, I build layers of color areas, marks, and brushstrokes, constantly adding and editing. The marks on the surface are meant to add to the sense of space as well as to the sense that there is energy charging through the atmosphere. I create and utilize random marks and unexpected color spots that suggest excitement, spontaneity, and chance.

In the "Pool Party" paintings, the two foreground dancers are in slightly different positions in each of the paintings. These acrylic paintings are set up in a series like frames from a motion picture. There is a rhythm that is created with the light and shadows in these paintings as you see them shifting from painting to painting.

A dance marathon is a contest in which the winners are the dancers with enough heart to still be on their feet at the end. I would like for these paintings to serve as a reminder of human energy and endurance.

Biography

Julia Katz

EDUCATION

1978 - BFA, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2007 - “Dance Marathon”, Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL
2006 - “Personal Spaces”, Dulgar Gallery, South Suburban College, South Holland,
IL “Solitaire, Etc.”, Mimosa, Highland Park, IL
2003 - “Self Conscious”, Wilmette Public Library, Wilmette, IL

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2007 - “Highland Park Art Walk 2007”, Anatomically Correct, Highland Park, IL juried by Aron Packer
“National Art Premiere 2007”, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL juried by Rob Bondgren
2006 - “Transfigure: The Body in Motion”, Gwenda Jay / Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL curated by Dan Addington
“Highland Park Art Walk”, Anatomically Correct, Highland Park, IL juried by Paul Klein
“Artists of 60035”, Chicago in Bloom, Chicago, IL
2004 - “Real People”, Old Court House Figurative League, Woodstock, IL juried by Peggy Macnamara
“Highland Park City Gallery”, East on Central, Highland Park, IL
2003 - “Naked or Nude”, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago, IL curated by Charles Gniech
2002 - “21st Annual Juried Art Show”, Wilmette Public Library, Wilmette, IL
2000-2006 - “Women’s Works”, Northwest Area Arts Council, Woodstock, IL
1999 - “Figuratively Speaking”, Bill L. Parks Gallery, Chicago, IL

AWARDS

2007 - JUROR’S AWARD, Anatomically Correct, “Highland Park Art Walk”, Highland Park, IL
JUROR’S AWARD, Elmhurst Art Museum, “National Art Premiere 2007”, Elmhurst, IL
2006 - BEST OF SHOW, Anatomically Correct, “Highland Park Artwalk”, Highland Park, IL
JUROR’S AWARD, Northwest Area Arts Council, “Women’s Works”, Woodstock, IL
2002 - 2nd PLACE, Wilmette Public Library, “21st Annual Juried Art Show”, Wilmette, IL

PUBLICATIONS

2008 - Studio Visit Magazine, national juried art book, published by Open Studios Press
2007 - East on Central, guest editor/contributor, annual literary magazine, Highland Park, IL
2006 - East on Central , cover of annual literary magazine, Highland Park, IL


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