Julie is an award winning professional artist with a lifelong passion for painting. She was born in Bristol and has lived in the area all her life. Her Mother was the earliest artistic influence and her passion for painting in Watercolour started in her mid-teens studying briefly alongside her Mum with Stained Glass Artist James Crombie. They moved on and discovered the medium had a whole lot more to offer from Yatton based Watercolour Artist and Tutor Brian Parrish. It was at this point that her passion was truly ignited and throughout her life she has pushed boundaries and tried to get inside this enigmatic medium. In the mid 80’s Julie started work as an Audio Visual designer and soon progressed to managing the in house AV team for a large Financial Services company based in Bristol. Her career progressed and when the team expanded to include all the creative services for the group. She managed the whole team of designers who were also responsible for the design and print of the company’s whole suite of literature. Alongside her career, Julie continued to paint and exhibit locally and at craft fairs across the South West and she became an active member of both Clevedon and Clifton Art Clubs. 22 years later, when changes to the company structure were brought in, Julie took the opportunity of redundancy and set up an Arts & Crafts business based in Nailsea. It was here that she started teaching. The shop soon became a Winsor & Newton Premier Art Centre due to the range of products stocked and Julie was able to use her knowledge and experience to guide and advise customers. Sadly a recession and rising overhead costs meant that the retail side of her business had to close. She continued painting, teaching and exhibiting alongside caring for her Father until he passed away. In 2016 she attended a workshop with Trevor Waugh and enrolled on an Atelier style Foundation Course. Under Trevor’s guidance her painting skills flourished and her style developed and finally in 2017 she took the step to become professional. Julie is currently a member of North Somerset Arts and takes part in the biennial North Somerset Arts Week. She has become known locally for Watercolour knowledge and her love of painting en plein air where she feels in touch with nature – the South West coastline has a special place in her heart. She is always searching for the story in her subject and her intuitive style is loose yet traditional with contemporary influences. Whilst Watercolour remains her greatest passion, she does explore other mediums, mixing them up if the subject calls for a more experimental and adventurous approach to tell the story. Her art is led by her heart not her head. She tries to portray how the subject makes her feel rather than getting too bogged down in accuracy. Julie’s own classes are now based at Portbury Church where she is also the artist in residence. She also visits other art groups around the region to teach ad hoc sessions and run workshops. She is one of the founding members of @art6explore – a collaboration of North Somerset Artists who formed online during the pandemic to explore monthly creative themes and try different ways of sharing their art, processes and inspiration with a new audience. Now they also hold regular live events, exhibitions and workshops. They often use their talents to raise money for deserving causes and particularly in support of environmental causes. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to find out more. You can view more of Julie’s work on her social media pages:- on Facebook: Julie Mainstone Artist and on Instagram: @juliemainstone as well as on her website juliemainstone.co.uk For more details email: julie.mainstone@hotmail.co.uk