Originally from Montreal, Julie Naima is a Canadian artist who now resides in a serene rural town, far removed from the bustling pace of the big city. Her journey began with a career as an elementary school teacher before she ventured into the furniture business, driven by a desire to delve more deeply into her creative pursuits. In 2019, Julie Naima made the transition from working with furniture to dedicating herself to painting professionally, a path she continues to follow.
Experimentation lies at the heart of Julie Naima’s artistic process. Her practice spans a wide range of materials—from fluid paints and flowing inks to layered mixed media—allowing her to explore movement, translucency, and depth. A pivotal shift occurred when she returned to working with acrylics, focusing solely on the emotive power of color. In doing so, she uncovered her most authentic voice: vibrant, abstract compositions infused with uplifting energy and an enduring sense of optimism.
Naima pulls inspiration from the magical places of the world, both real and fable, experienced in her travels and through her inner child’s imagination. Naima says about her own work:
“I am drawn to juxtaposing and layering solid, rounded shapes of rich and contrasting colors with the intention of creating captivating and immersive scenes. My art is not just an arrangement of shapes and colors; it is a conduit for introspection, an exploration of the connection between the viewer and the visceral language of color. Through this connection, I aim to share moments of joy, serenity and wonder, creating a space where emotions are vivid, and the soul finds resonance.”
Naima's impressive body of work can be found in many private collections across Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States, attesting to the universality of her artistic vision.