Cloud 9 Studio Gallery, 165 Irish Street, Dumfries, DG1 2NN – 01387 257411
Since laying down roots in Dumfries and Galloway in 1991 I’ve taught in primary schools, mainly in the east of the region. My teaching major was in Art and Design and after qualifying I’d only really dabbled, my time being taken up by a full time teaching job and a family. A health set back took me away from teaching for a few months in 2004 and in that time I started to paint again. It became a therapy and I began to realise that I actually needed art in my life. Gradually I started to spend less time teaching and more time painting until, in 2011, I opened Cloud 9 Studio Gallery on Irish Street in Dumfries.
Cloud 9 is my sanctuary. When we bought it the little shop was semi-derelict and we caused quite a stir as over the course of 18 months we gradually rebuilt it. It became a labour of love.
I do most of my work in the studio at Cloud 9, which is permanently open to the public. I find sticking with one media difficult, even a tad boring, if I’m honest. I just love to create so I paint, photograph, felt and make jewellery, amongst other things. That makes me happy, but difficult to pin down and for that I make no apology!
I’m constantly inspired by my surroundings; the light, the sea, the hills, the sky, the clouds, the wildlife – all of these things figure in my work. It’s difficult not to be inspired when I live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world!
Currently on exhibition I have a collection of photographs and paintings inspired by another Scottish holiday during one of the nicest summers I can remember in a long time. Peace and calm reign, with gentle blue waves lapping at sandy shores and cockle shells all in a row! Until the end of September, ‘…And the Living is Easy…’ is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10 and 4, sometimes later when I forget to go home…
Find and follow me on Facebook and Twitter as julieoncloud9
www.facebook.com/julieoncloud9
