I came across the work of Toronto artist Julia Hepburn recently at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.

“Each compartmentalized piece displays a single scene with virtually no context. Viewers are encouraged to use their imaginations in order to develop a narrative explaining the scene. The use of small, doll-sized scenes, not only draws people in physically, but also makes the darker imagery less threatening, permitting the viewer to assign a wide range of moods to the work depending on their personal interpretation. The unnatural size also allows viewers to feel as though they are looking at a world completely separate from their own, where the rules that govern their own lives do not necessarily apply.

Many of the works emphasize our relationship with the natural world; something that, much like innocence, I believe is lost as we grow older. This connection to the natural world is most clearly illustrated in my paintings. The works reflect my desire to re-insert myself into the natural order and often exhibit my tendency to assign human personalities to animals.”

For more about Julia Hepburn, visit JuliaHepburn.Blogspot.com.