Interview At Home - Julie
            Oakley

            by Harry Furness

            
 

            
Your year long project of "Walk a
            minimum of one mile from home. Record where you've been with
            a drawing, sculpture, photo or painting and then walk back. Every
            day for a year" seems like a great way to get or stay in
            touch with your surroundings. What led you to the idea for
            your project?

            
I had been blogging for a couple of years
            but realised I needed to do something about that problem 'blogger's
            bum'. So as I'm not desperately fond of exercise I decided to
            come up with a daily challenge that involved some sketching and
            some exercise so that I could get fitter.



            From what I have seen on your blogs, you seem to work in brush
            pen, water colors, and pen and ink. Did you draw when you stopped
            or did you return to a studio and work from sketches or photographs?

            
I think that almost all of the posts on
            the One Mile from Home blog were created in situ. There were
            a few where I added colour digitally after I had scanned the
            piece and there was one (http://onemilefromhome.blogspot.com/2006/12/walk-two-hundred-and-twenty-rufus-in.html)
            where I added some animation for the amusement of one of my readers.

            
You've stated on your blog that you
            had a few people join you in creating their own year long recordings.
            How has the response been?

            
A few people joined me at the beginning.
            However all but two fell by the wayside. Nonetheless all three
            of us seemed to have a dedicated group of people following our
            blogs and cheering us on. The experience was made all the more
            enjoyable by comparing my daily walk with fellow 'sketchercisers'
            Alison (http://fivekradius.blogspot.com/)
            in Canberra and Penny (http://penny-withmybootsandsketchbook.blogspot.com/)
            in rural South Australia.

            
Your other drawings seem to revolve
            around your family. Are they your inspiration? Would you say
            that your family life is the center of your art world?

            
My family is the centre of my world and
            the art I create for my own pleasure (as opposed to the day-job)
            is a reflection of my daily life. Also I have set myself another
            year-long challenge to produce daily portraits of members of
            my family, so for this year my family are featuring more in my
            sketches.

            
What provides inspiration for your art?

            
My environment and family. I also am very
            grateful for the website Illustration Friday for kick-starting
            me into blogging and sharing my work with other artists around
            the world.

            
What is your background? Has it been
            a formal art education (and what does that mean in England),
            or self-taught, or did you study with someone?

            


            In England a formal art education usually consists of a one year
            foundation course which helps you decide whether you want to
            do a degree in fine art, or one of the 2D or 3D design disciplines.
            This 

            is usually followed by by a 3 or 4 year degree course in your
            chosen area of art or design. Over 30 years ago I did a BA Hons
            in scientific illustration at Middlesex Polytechnic, followed
            by a post-graduate course in graphic design at the Royal College
            of Art. Since then I've worked as a graphic designer and apart
            from the first four years after college I've been self-employed.
            Quite honestly, the work I do for a living, is a practical and
            enjoyable way of supporting my family, whilst being based in
            a home studio where I can still help out with the children's
            homework whilst in the 'office'. Most of my graphic design work
            is design for print – magazines, brochures, corporate identity
            work and the occasional illustration.

            
Your art seems to mirror rural and family
            life. How do you see yourself?

            
First and foremost I'm a mother and wife.
            During the day I earn a living as a designer. For many years
            I thought that when I had more time and money I would spend time
            drawing, painting and illustrating for my own pleasure. And then
            I realised that was never going to happen, so I decided to squeeze
            art into the small spaces in my life before it was too late.
            I am so glad I did.

            
The art that I've seen is either drawings
            or watercolors; do you work with other mediums?

            
I love trying out different media and over
            the past year or so I've tried coloured pencil, pastels and various
            computer software packages. Lack of time and space means that
            I tend to use media that will dry quickly and can be put away
            as soon as a piece is finished. I haven't used acrylics in years
            but fully intend to do so in time. Unless I came into a small
            fortune I can't see myself using proper oil paints as we don't
            have a suitably ventilated space in the house. However I have
            a small set of water soluble oils in my art materials cupboard
            that are calling out to me.

            
What do you look for in a work of art?

            
Honesty. I am fascinated by the work of
            artists who are masterful at technique. However I am much more
            interested when I feel that the content of the art is a personal
            expression of the artist. I find that much of the art that is
            produced with one eye on selling and marketing very dull and
            empty. Sadly, I think it is very difficult to combine integrity
            as an artist and being able to make a living from selling one's
            work.



            Who is your favorite artist and why?

            
I couldn't name just one. However I would
            say that I feel a great affinity for artists who love to experiment
            with a variety of media and styles. Picasso and David Hockney
            spring to mind. I also love the whole phenomenon of sketch bloggers.
            In my view some sketch bloggers have made the combination of
            interesting, amusing writing combined with images into a delightful
            artform of it's own and my favourite has to be Walt Taylor (also
            known as Crackskull Bob - he can be seen here http://crackskullbob.squarespace.com/)



            Where do you see yourself and your art in five, ten, and twenty
            years?

            
Oh gosh! In five years time we'll still
            have a ten year old child living with us – but hopefully
            less clutter and a bit more time so that I can produce some bigger,
            more ambitious paintings. In ten years, more of the same. In
            twenty years, I'll just be grateful if I can still pick up a
            pencil.

            
Thank you for your time and your art.

            

            
For more art or information about
            Julie Oakley, please visit her website at: http://onemilefromhome.blogspot.com

            
 

            
 

            
January's featured artist was Mary M. Shelley
            please visit her internet site at: http://www.maryshelleyfolkart.com