X EYE ROOM
EQUILIBRIUM
JULIA POULTON
6 MAR - 31 MAY 2025
THE ART COURT X
EYE ROOM
The Art Court was founded in 2022 by Courtney Spencer to sell, source, and commission art for public and private settings in the North of England.
We curate temporary exhibitions in stunning spaces across Yorkshire to provide a welcoming way to buy art. Owning artworks that truly resonate with you can enhance your everyday experiences. We work to understand your taste, space, budget, and logistical considerations to search our extensive network of artists to find the perfect piece for you.
We are excited to be collaborating with Eye Room. This is the fifth in a series of exhibitions that the independent optician is hosting at their Scandinavian setting in Leeds City Centre. Already known for their carefully curated range of eyewear and discerning sense of style, art exhibitions further enhance a visit to Eye Room for clients and art lovers alike. The exhibition can be viewed in this online catalogue and in person.
OPENING TIMES
Mon - Fri, 10 am - 6 pm Sat 10 am - 5 pm
All welcome
Eye Room, 9 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ
JULIA POULTON
B. 1970 WAKEFIELD, UK
Julia Poulton is a Yorkshire-based contemporary abstract painter whose work explores mood, movement, and atmosphere. Her work is characterised by dreamy, cloud-like mark-making, subtle textures, and an evolving palette that convey dramatic, ethereal, and calming tones. Through her intuitive approach, Julia expresses emotions as they unfold, embracing spontaneity and the fluidity of the creative process.
From an early age, Julia was passionate about drawing, which led her to pursue a degree in Fine Art at the University of East London in 1993. After returning
to her roots in Yorkshire, she worked in various fields, including teaching and counselling, but her dedication to art remained steadfast. Today, she devotes herself fully to her painting practice from her studio in Harrogate.
INTERVIEW
Court: It’s brilliant to be working with you again and I’m so excited to present your solo show. I’d like to start by asking you to share some of your earliest memories of creating art? What or who inspired you to pursue a career in painting?
Julia: I was always absorbed in drawing people as a child, within imaginary worlds creating stories in my mind for what was happening in them. My passion for drawing was always encouraged and supported by my family, so pursuing art as a career was the most natural path for me.
Court: That’s brilliant that it felt like a natural progression and that you had that support behind you to pursue it. How has your artistic style evolved since your time at the University of East London? Are there specific experiences or influences that have significantly shaped your work?
Julia: I had a mixed experience during my fine art degree. However, in my final year, a supportive art technician encouraged me to paint the landscapes of Hampstead Heath and Wandsworth Common and taught me how to use oil paints. I also went on an inspiring artist residency in Cyprus where I had the time and space to absorb the beautiful colours and scenery which helped me to develop more emotional depth within my work.
Back in Yorkshire, I had an abundance of landscape on my doorstep, so this became my artistic focus for many years. Whilst I enjoyed capturing the moods and
atmosphere of nature, I came to a point about 15 years ago where I felt something fundamental was missing in my art practice – I realised that because I was primarily focused on the end result, I had lost the joy in the creative process itself.
To bring this passion back, I needed to free myself from thoughts about the ‘end result’ and focus purely on the creative process. Switching to abstract painting was the obvious way to achieve this, as it allowed me to be fully intuitive and playful without limitations or expectations. With an approach of experimentation and using a wide range of materials as spontaneously as I could, I gradually moved towards the artwork I create today.
Court: I think you take the viewer on that journey or the process of making, and the sense of spontaneity really comes through. Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you approach a new piece, and what role does emotion play in your work?
Julia: Intuitive painting, for me, is about being fully present and trusting the process. Rather than planning ahead, I tune into my emotions and let each brushstroke guide the next. Creating the right environment for this is important, such as listening to music which helps tap into emotions. I like to work on several pieces at once, partly to keep the momentum going while waiting for oil paint to dry, but also to maintain a sense of spontaneity, as moving between pieces stops me from getting too ‘precious’ about a particular piece. While building up the
paintings in layers over time, I like to take a playful and experimental approach to each stage of the process, keeping things fresh and dynamic by using different tools or mediums to create contrasting marks and textures.
Staying immersed in the moment means the results are unpredictable and this is what I find most exciting in my practice. I don’t always know what emotions are going into my paintings, only that the act of painting in this way has a soothing and emotionally restorative effect. So regardless of what is going on in my life when I come into the studio, painting always gives me that sense of calm and equilibrium. I believe this is often reflected in the finished paintings and serves to help the viewer find their own emotional connection with the work.
Court: It’s wonderful that painting brings you such a sense of calm. I imagine some pieces come together in a state of flow whilst others take longer to resolve, but I suppose life is full ups and downs. Can you share some of the challenges and rewards you’ve experienced as an artist?
Julia: If turning up to paint in the studio all day was all that was required to build a career as an artist, it would be nice and easy! The reality is that many more skills are required in order to get your work seen in the right places by people who will connect with your work. It requires lots of marketing, admin and networking to make valuable connections. Some of these things I enjoy more than others and there has been a lot to learn over the years, but
often the challenge is in finding the right balance between time spent in the studio (obviously vital!) and time spent on all the other things.
The rewards are definitely in the connections and relationships forged with people, whether it be fellow artists, gallerists, curators or collectors. When someone is drawn to a painting and shares with me how much it means to them or how it makes them feel, this is the most joyful and rewarding part of what I do by far.
Court: That feeling when your work really resonates with someone is the best! And you’re right, being an artist involves so much more than making the work; the behind-the-scenes effort is just as crucial. I suppose studio space plays a big role in that, not just in terms of having a place to create but also in shaping how you work. You’ve got a fantastic studio here in Harrogate. How does your environment influence your creativity and productivity?
Julia: Yes definitely. I’m very lucky to have my studio at the end of the garden. Once I’m here, I’m not distracted by anyone or anything in the house! It is a lovely, lightfilled, peaceful space so I can quite easily switch off whilst listening to music on my headphones and get into the painting flow.
Court: You mentioned building networks. You’ve participated in events like the North Yorkshire Open Studios. What’s it like to invite the public into your studio?
Julia: I think it’s great having people visit my studio. Seeing the work and my practice in person, while having the chance to talk to me, adds so much depth and context to how both I and my work are perceived. I’ve particularly enjoyed sharing my process through small group workshops at the studio, which is an even more intimate insight into my art and process and painting alongside students is often a refreshing and inspiring experience for me too.
Court: I always find it so interesting to hear how people interpret artworks, particularly abstract pieces. Have you had any interesting or memorable reactions to your work?
Julia: I never cease to be intrigued by how people interpret my work. I’ve had all sorts of reactions over the years, mostly positive, but I always love to hear what people ‘see’ in my work, whether it be trees, faces or something else, it’s fascinating that people can have such different responses. Most meaningful is when people say they feel they could ‘walk-in’ to the painting, which is something I often feel myself – that the painting is inviting you in.
Court: I can relate to that. When I was offering options for a client’s bedroom, your larger paintings immediately stood out—it felt like you could step right into them and swim through the layers. That sense of depth and movement made them the perfect fit for the space. Thinking of dreams – do you have a dream project you would love to make happen?
Julia: I’ve always loved working largescale, as with intuitive abstract painting, this can be the most liberating to work on canvases larger than yourself. The expanse of canvas allows unlimited physical, and gestural mark-making, giving emotional expression its full potential.
It’s not often that exhibitions offer the space for larger pieces, but I was delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit those three larger-scale works with The Art Court at last year’s Spring Exhibition at First White Cloth Hall in Leeds. It’s not often that exhibitions offer space for larger pieces, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit three of my large-scale works with The Art Court at last year’s Spring Exhibition at First White Cloth Hall in Leeds. The stunning open-plan venue provided a fantastic setting to see my work and going forward, I would love more opportunities like this—giving me even more reason to continue creating larger pieces.
Court: It was an absolute pleasure to have you in that show, and I was thrilled by the scale of your work. I’d love to see you take on a project that allows you to paint on an even bigger scale! How can people stay updated on your latest work, upcoming ex-hibitions, and future projects?
Julia: The best way is to follow me on Instagram (@juliapoultonart) and join my mailing list via www.juliapoulton.com
Court: Thank you, Julia. It’s a delight to share your incredible work with audiences
Follow Your Heart
2022
Oil on canvas
63 x 63 cm
£900 (framed)
Night Poem
2024
Oil on canvas
63 x 63 cm
£900 (framed)
Flourish
2024
Oil on canvas
28 x 38 cm
£400 (framed)
Soft Breeze
2024
Oil on canvas
28 x 38 cm
£400 (framed)
Blue Embrace
2021 Oil on canvas
63 x 63 cm
£900 (framed)
Fragility and Hope
2024
Oil on board
27 x 27 cm
£320 (framed)
Amorphous Dream
2024 Oil on board
27 x 27 cm
£320 (framed)
Reflections
2024
Oil on board
27 x 27 cm
£320 (framed)
A Glorious Day
2024
Oil on board
27 x 27 cm
£320 (framed)
53 x 53 cm
£650 (framed)
Longing 2024 Oil on canvas
Fragmented Dreams 2024 Oil on canvas
53 x 53 cm
£650 (framed)
Between Shadows
2021
Oil on canvas
104 x 104 cm
£3,100 (framed)
Hidden Delight
2021
Oil on canvas
58 x 53 cm
£720 (framed)
Searching
2024 Oil on canvas
38 x 38 cm
£450
Within Reach 2024 Oil on canvas
44 x 44 cm
£550
Where We Begin 2024 Oil on canvas
83 x 83 cm
£1,500
The exhibition is also available to view in person at Eye Room.
OPENING TIMES
Mon - Fri, 10am - 6pm Sat 10am - 5pm All welcome
Eye Room, 9 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ
If you would like further information about any of the artworks or our personal art shopping service please contact us via the details below and we will be delighted to assist you.
Images courtesy of the artist and Lucy Forrester.
+44 (0)77 8618 1968