When you first meet Julie Harvey, you find this beautiful woman with an engaging smile and charming personality. Once you see her work you see all of that and more on the canvas. Her work, found at Gallery 202 in Downtown Franklin , has become popular amongst the many out of state visitors who come through and is always a favorite amongst the locals, especially during the Franklin Art Scene.
Williamson Source: Where are you from originally?
Julie Harvey: I’m originally from Franklin. I went to high school here, then communted to Nashville and Murfreesboro during college. I moved to Cookeville for a few years to finish up my B.F.A degree. After graduation, I moved right back to Franklin. I am definitely a fan of this town!
WS: When did you first start painting?
Harvey: I always enjoyed drawing and painting, but didn’t consider that I could actually be an artist until I started taking fine arts classes in college. I decided to get serious about it at that point, and have been doing so ever since.
WS: Describe your technique and style.
Harvey: I like to fill the canvas with heavy brushwork, and I use my palette knives to create lots of texture. I incorporate transparent washes of ink that I build up in multiple layers too, or else I mix them with my paint and other painting mediums for an additional element of transparency. My palette is generally a deeper range of tints, making the darkest darks and the brightest whites really pop out. For a while I was working on a large series of works that were much lighter in value than what is typical for me. However, those were still in my style of working with heavy textures, so I felt they provided a good contrast to the others in my portfolio.
WS: Where can we find your work?
Harvey: You can find my work at Gallery 202, at the corner of Church Street and 2nd Avenue in downtown Franklin. The gallery owner, Kelly Harwood, or the gallery manager, Jim McReynolds would love to show you around. It is a very beautiful place, and it has been set up salon-style, so that visitors can see art displayed in a very comfortable and inviting setting. Gallery 202 is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday from 11am-5pm.
WS: Do you do commissions?
Harvey: Yes I do. It is so nice that people trust me enough to come up with something they want to hang in their home or office, and have only provided an idea or a basic thought for me to grow on. I always prefer to come up with my own ideas and inspirations for work, but it is still a huge compliment to be asked to do commissions, and I enjoy doing it.
WS: Talk about the Franklin Art Scene.
Harvey: The Art Scene has provided a great opportunity to me and other artists in the area to meet so many people who might not otherwise have the chance to come to an art gallery or shop in downtown Franklin during the work week. It’s a fun atmosphere where everyone comes with their friends to enjoy a great night out. Visitors will see all kinds of art, can talk with the artists, and enjoy shopping in many of our beautiful downtown shops and galleries. Many of the people who have purchased my work have met me and been introduced to my work at Gallery 202 during the Art Scene. I have been to every Art Crawl since it first started a few years ago, and it’s still a lot of fun to go every time!
Gallery 202 is located at 202 2nd Ave. South and is open Tuesday -Saturday 10-5 ..Sunday 12-5.
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