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Julia Martens
is a self-taught artist, born and currently residing in the west coast of Canada.
She sells her originals and prints on her website and at markets, does commissions in her style, exhibits her work, illustrates book and album covers, and does set design for film.
Martens uses watercolours and ink to pay homage to The Golden Age of Illustration, a style that is no longer in fashion. She desires to bring forth feelings of nostalgia, wonder, and curiosity in each of her pieces, telling a story within her work; she aims to invoke twin feelings of beauty and uncomfortableness, her goal being to make viewers believe that her work is from 150 years ago. In an age where everything is progressively getting more digital, Martens is fully reverting into the traditional methods of art and illustration.
She uses her pieces to tell a story; Martens has her own personal meanings attached to the pieces she creates, but invites viewers to create their own. Often, her pieces are connected with one another.


Current / Upcoming Shows + Collaborations:
2023
Published Works:
2023 February / Illustration for Taproot Magazine 55: LUNAR
2022 October / Album Artwork for Dwi and for Einamae
Press:
2022 November / CanvasRebel Article Article
2021 July / Abbotsford News Article
March / Abbotsford News Article
Previous Exhibitions + Residencies:
2023 Jan. 26, 27 / "SPAWN" group exhibition at Issue Studio
2022 July 18-23 / Residency in Norway with Light Grey Art Lab
May 5-21 / Shadow & Line group exhibition at Kariton Gallery
2021. Sept 24-25 / Abby Theatre Fest (Introductions; art film)
Sept / Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival - Virtual Art Walk
August / Downtown Abbotsford Mural - Montrose Ave
2020 Nov 16-20 / Tedx and Abbotsford Arts Council - Perception Exhibition
Oct 10-18 / South Delta Artfully Anonymous - Online Exhibition
Aug-Sept / Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival - Virtual Art Walk
July 10-25 / #HomeGalleryLAC Surprise Exhibition - AIFS Gallery Online
July 1-22 / A Little Bit Of Art - Kariton Gallery Online
June 1-22 / Strange Times - Kariton Gallery Online
2018 July / Anonymous Art Show - Kariton Gallery
Past Markets + Workshops:
2022 Nov 4, 5, 6th Vintage Barn Market / Chilliwack Heritage Barn
Sept. 9th / Fort Langley Night Market
Sept. 15th / Autumn Art + Wine Walk; Vintelier in Downtown Abbotsford
August 21 / Chilliwack Pride Market
July 1st, August 12th / Fort Langley Night Market
June 26 / Chilliwack Farmer's Market
May 26 / Spring Art + Wine Walk; Vintelier in Downtown Abbotsford
April 30th / Live Painting at Windsor Greenhouse
April 9th / Mt Lehman Market
Feb 5 + 6 / Feel Good Market at Richmond Lavender Farm
2021 Sept 25 / BC Culture Days "A Study of Birds" Workshop
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