The Dapper Rabbit Series is a culmination of two years of work on virtually no budget. While I created the original idea and designed the storyboards, I was not alone. I had a team of models, makeup artists, and set designers who were all friends and family, whom worked on this project with me as a labour of love.
I am heavily inspired by the colour and texture used by the Masters such as Degas, Rembrandt and Monet. With their use of light, colour and texture to add surrealism and atmosphere, they give their viewer a glimpse into another world. I wanted to add a sense of depth and timelessness to the pieces in this series, as well as old-world charm.
The Dapper Rabbit was born from a dream and has evolved into a beloved, albeit evil character. It’s Jack the Ripper meets Jekyll & Hyde; a no good Victorian Rabbit that meets with a foul end. The overall tone and theme explored in these pieces is the darker side of human nature, from spousal abuse and gambling to murder and revenge.
Artist bio:
Moving beyond the realm of simple photography, Julie Powell creates surreal, whimsical and fantastical works of Digital Art, often capturing emotion and moments in time along with symbolism to explore reality on a different level.
Living in Melbourne, Powell is surrounded by a vibrant and exciting art community. Powell is self-taught with a background in graphic art and design. She has transitioned from more traditional art forms to the digital art medium, often depicting images in her own unique painterly style. Being published both online and in print magazines, Powell is a regular contributor to various digital and print publications, and is an Artistic Coach and Mentor. Powell thrives on helping and encouraging other emerging digital artists and photographers, and is widely active and respected throughout the digital artist community. Her workshops are small and hands on and are very popular.
Powell uses the camera and computer as her canvas while her brush explores both natural and manmade environments as inspiration for her art. Powell regularly plans and executes conceptual photography shoots, to then build on and expand on digitally. She works with colour and light, as well as texture to create images with such depth that they almost glow with light. Digitally hand painting many of the elements such as the light that makes up these images, Powell explores various themes such as motherhood, mother nature, femininity, release, salvation, and good versus evil.
Residents Gallery, May 23 - June 18
Meet the Artist: May 26, 1pm-4pm
All welcome
Artist Floor Talk: Friday June 1, 11am
All welcome
Image credit: Julie Powell, Edward