Julia i.e. Gignac

Artist Statement

For me, painting is an avenue to cope with being neurodivergent - specifically being dyslexic and having severe misophonia. My subject matter focuses on portraits and snapshots of myself and others as a way to express isolation, being different, and the leap of faith necessary for human connection. 

In my paintings, I often use semi-abstract or fantastical themes to reflect the warped lens that my neurodivergence gives me. This can present as: surrealist color palettes; a combination of very tight and loose, expressive brushwork; or the use of American classic science fiction imagery. All of these techniques are utilized to help give the viewer an opportunity to experience a fraction of my day-to-day sensation of being “an outsider looking in”, or an alien observing Earth and its inhabitants from a radically different perspective. 

When I paint, I look for a feeling of silence or stillness to know that a work is complete. It is my hope that each of my paintings conveys a breath of stillness to the viewer as well.