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Julie Cowan


 

In the past, I have focused on two interests: portraiture and architecture. My most recent work, however, is about nature.

I had been taking photos of natural subjects and printing them expecting to exhibit them as a group. When we had to stay at home I fortunately had a stack of prints to color and complete. As I started to add color, I found myself working with intense hues and deep blacks, perhaps to punctuate the flow of time, as each day blends with the next.

With architectural subjects, I investigate the idea of place and how spaces make us feel either embraced or alienated. Using architectural themes, I select photographic imagery and then digitally alter the photos to create greater contrasts and stronger line. Often I will layer various photographic elements to create new spaces.

My paper lithography technique has layers of printmaking and drawing applications so that each piece is a monoprint. First, I shoot the photographic image. Then, once digitally altered, I print the image using a paper transfer process with oil-based ink. I then layer the work using a monotype process to create unique works as detail on the prints are hand-colored with pencil or watercolor.

The beauty of imperfection is reflected in an expressive face or an architectural space that is unfinished or distorted,  and the irregularities of a printed work relate these subjects. This imperfection creates an empathy for where we are and who we are uniting us together in grace.

 

Julie Cowan


Education

/ BA University of Pennsylvania, Comparative Literature

One Person Exhibitions

/ 2022 Propositions: Art about Abraham Lincoln/Inside Out, Vivid Art Gallery, Winnetka, IL

/ 2020 Life Outside, Solo Show, Vivid Art Gallery, Winnetka, IL

/ 2017 Portraits and Architecture, Solo Show, Vivid Gallery, Winnetka, IL

/ 2017 Invisible Portraits, Solo Show, The Saw Room, Evanston, IL

/ 2016 Architecture and Portraits, Solos Show, Evanston Library, Evanston, IL

/ 2015 Faces and Architecture, Solo Show, Burrison Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

/ 2014 Print Show, Solo Show, Wilmette Library, Wilmette, IL

/ 2004 Drawings with Paint, Solo Show, Old Town Art Center, Chicago, IL

/ 1992 Drawings, Solo Show, South Shore Bank, Chicago, IL

/ 1991 Drawings, Solo Show, The Magic Theatre, San Francisco, CA

/ 1991 Drawings, Solo Show, 1800 Gallery West, Chicago, IL

Group Shows

/ 2022 New Work, Vivid Art Gallery, Winnetka, IL

/ 2018 Mystified, Vivid Art Gallery, Winnetka, IL

/ 2018 Evanston Made, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL, also 2017

/ 2018 Nasty Women Evanston, 1100 Florence, Evanston, IL, also 2017

/ 2018 The Bedroom Artist, Dittmar Gallery, Evanston, IL, also 2017

/ 2018 National Juried Printmaking Exhibit, Silberman Art Gallery, Rockville MD

/ 2018 Inside/Outside, Spertus Museum Gallery, Chicago, IL 

/ 2017 What’s Your Story, Noyes Gallery, Evanston, IL

/ 2016 Women’s Art Exhibition, Koehnline Museum, Des Plaines, IL, also 2015, 2010 and 2009

/ 2014 OVERHE(a)R(e), Chicago IL and London UK

/ 2013 Boundaries: Pushing, Inventing, and Coexisting, Indiana University, Gary, IN

/ 2013 Group Show, Ground Floor Gallery, Nashville, TN

/ 2013 Group Show, Asheville Bookworks Gallery, Asheville, NC

/ 2013 Explorations, Newberry Library, Chicago, IL, also 2011

/ 2013 Artlink National Print Exhibition, Auer Center for Arts, Fort Wayne, IN

/ 2013 Two Person Print Show, Café Selmarie, Chicago, IL 

/ 2013 Print Exhibition, Spudnik Printing Coop, Chicago, IL

/ 2011 Line Dancing: A Drawing Show, Evanston, IL

/ 2011 Self Portrait Show, Zhou B. Art Center, Chicago, IL

/ 2009 Architectural Spaces, The Lodi Project, Raleigh NC

/ 2006 Watercolor ’06, Norris Art Center, St. Charles, IL

/ 2002 Juried Show, La Grange Art League, La Grange, IL

/ 1998 Biennial Exhbition, The Print Club of Albany, Albany, NY

/ 1997 Nature Show, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago, IL

/ 1997 Midwest Print Exhibition, Chicago, IL

Related Experience

2011 – Present   

/ artruck Public Art Event. Founder and director.

          - Community Engagement Award, Design Evanston. 2015

          - Mayor’s Art Award, Evanston. 2016

2015

/ “Coloring Architecture: Interiors.” Author and illustrator.

/ Benchmark. Chicago Community Trust. Project designer/leader.

2007  

/ archKIDecture. Educational arts program for kids. Founder and designer.

- BuildIt! Museum Exhibit. Designer and developer.

- Chicago Children’s Museum, Skyline Exhibit. Advisor.

         - “Teaching Architecture to Kids,” Nexus Journal, Author.

/ Evanston Arts Council Grant, City of Evanston
May 2001, May 2002, May 2003

/ Community Arts Grants, Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago
June 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992