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EMILY BALL AT SEAWHITE‍

CONTEMPORARY DRAWING AND PAINTING COURSES‍

JULIAN BROWN: ARTIST PROFILE

Join Julian for his Studio Residency!

Images: Studio shots, Julian Brown‍

Dear  ‍ ‍

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In this newsletter we are shining our spotlight on our wonderful tutor Julian Brown, who is leading a week-long residency at the Seawhite Studio at the end of September.  In the spirit of all our residencies - which invite artists to work alongside one of our professional artist-tutors – Julian has generously shared what a typical studio in his studio is like.  We also have contributions from artists who have previously attended a residency with Julian, as well as Julian’s own thoughts about what makes a residency such a rewarding experience. It makes for  a great read, and we hope an enticing invitation to join Julian at the studio for the residency.

Julian is a phenomenal artist, who exhibits internationally and has won a number of art prizes. His work embraces his Polish heritage, but also looks forward, exploring new ways of using materials and exploring expression and scale. His paintings are a visual feast, containing an extraordinary balance of structured rhythm and geometry overlayed with smooth beguiling slices of colour that skip and loop over the surface.‍

Images: Paintings, Julian Brown

Ahead of Julian’s studio residency, we asked him what a typical day in his studio looked like.  His eloquent thoughts and articulate observations give a valuable insight into his working practice, his philosophy and motivation as a painter.  They also provide  a good indication of the inspiring atmosphere and high calibre of discussions that artists attending his residency week can expect. 

Image: Julian Brown working in his studio‍

I start the day with a short walk through the park to the studio; it clears my head from the busy mornings. When I arrive in the studio I tend to assess things for a while and then try and do something deliberate to the paintings if they are unresolved. I find this eradicates any preconceptions I had about the painting and reignites the dialogue between me and the work.

The rest of the day I’m quite focused, usually working in silence  and on one painting at a time as I like the intensity this builds. I also tend to work in series as paintings start to bounce off each other.

Image: Julian Brown working in his studio‍

I use studies to work out compositional elements, explore patterns and to work out scale but generally I like everything to be on the canvas so have tried to minimise pre editing. When I’m making the work, I want it to be as alive as possible, to include all the mistakes and the history of the editing process. I’m interested in pushing the process as far as I can, the tensions between order and chaos, structure and collapse and the moment where things start to fall apart.‍

Image: Julian Brown working in his studio‍

Everything that happens in a painting is a result of what’s happened in previous paintings. So the crescent shapes are a development of simple gestural sweeps of the brush. But as these forms evolve, they start to take on their own significance and create their own language setting off thoughts, sensations that unlock the subconscious.

I can vividly remember making a painting (Fairly Tale of Gdańsk) where something was happening on the canvas, my mind meandered back to a scene from my childhood home of a humble landscape painting made by my mother shortly after she fled Poland around the time of the Warsaw uprising. ‍

Image: Fairy of Gdansk, ‍Acrylic on Canvas, Julian Brown

I remember observing the painting like a love letter to her past. Etched into the landscape was a world of folklore and tradition. Elements that happened in that painting, the compositions of floating boats, trees and crescent moons still resonate in my work. 

The perfect day in the studio is when something like this happens, totally unexpected which might totally open up your work and surprise you. This is how you start to create a language, something personal to you and less involved with all the stylistic influences around you.

To find out more about Julian’s work, click on one of these buttons:

Residency Week with Julian Brown

30 September – 4 October (Mon-Fri)

£480‍

“I’m most looking forward to being surrounded by artists for a week…It’s natural that this environment stimulates conversation and allows everyone to see how artists go about their business.” ~ Julian

Images: Artists work spaces during Julian Brown's residency week last year

A studio residency is a five-day block of time to focus on your painting practice.  Sharing the Seawhite Studio with only five other artists as well as the lead tutor, the intention is that each group create a working atmosphere where artists turn up, ready to push forward and do serious play.

“The residency is an opportunity for students to really focus for a week;  talking about, thinking about their practice as a whole.  During the week I try and keep  as close to my normal week in the studio as possible. Last year’s residency became one of the most productive and insightful weeks I had all year. It created a dialogue with fellow artists sometimes missing after you leave art school. It was a collaborative learning experience, I found it an environment where I could pass on my knowledge and experience. I often find many artists are reluctant to expose their processes to others but being open about them made it a fulfilling, useful and generous experience.” ~ Julian‍

Images: Paintings, Julian Brown

To ensure that you get the most out of a residency and that each cohort is comprised of artists who are working at the same level with similar ambitions, we invite artists to apply for their residency place.  This is a simple process that involves submitting nine images of your work and two pieces of writing (each no more than 300 words) about your work. 

For more information or to apply for your place, please click on the link below:‍

 How was it for you?

Thoughts and reflections from artists attending Julian's Studio Residency last year‍

Image: Felicity Heath's work station during  Julian Brown's residency week‍

“The residency with Julian was so good.  He is so knowledgeable and generous with sharing information and his time, while at the same time working on his own paintings.  It was fascinating to watch him building up his paintings  - an added bonus to the week.  Although it was an untaught course, he gave us all as much help and advice as we needed during the week, and personally I learnt a lot to take forward into further work.  It's always wonderful to work in the studio with so much space and the company of other interesting and committed artists.”

~ Felicity Heath‍

Image: Liz Crossfield's work station during  Julian Brown's residency week‍‍

 “Julian is a truly wonderful artist mentor. His approach is calm, gentle, measured and kind. He is without ego and this is special. He’s always encouraging and is full of wisdom around the subject. He’s a great colourist which is incredibly inspiring and is hugely generous when it comes to working alongside him.  I get the sense he’s enjoying the residency he’s facilitating just as much as the other artists he’s holding space for. His slide shows and discussions are always both engaging and informative. He’s just one of those people that has a great energy about him, and its lovely to be painting alongside him in a shared space; plus my nervous system likes hanging out with the guy! He gives me confidence in my practice, I can let my guard down and do my thing.” ~ Liz Crossfield

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Image: Julian Brown‍

“I often find when teaching that the interesting observations happen on the periphery of students work: you often spot something tucked away in the corner that act as clues to the development or something that can grow in

possibility “ ~ Julian

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