Julie Mellersh
Where to Now?
This little bridge sits over a small gully at the local park. On the east side of the bridge people take walks, often with their animals or children, look at the gardens, take pictures or just find a place to sit and relax.
People seldom travel to the west side of the bridge. It is less manicured, creating a chance for more wildness to flourish. I have been to this side, and have witnessed nature at its best, using the old to create the new. All of the life cycle is accepted, necessary and visible at once. Animals and birds,
mercifully, have the quiet to nest and raise their young, taking only what they need and no more. The little bridge seems to invite us to consider a different way forward, one where we behave in a way that considers nature and realize we are part of it. While the more natural landscape on this side of the bridge may seem to represent the unknown, I think it really represents the forgotten that can be remembered.
As the pandemic loosens its grip, I hope that we are able to recognize and grow back into our authentic natural selves.
Where to Now?, 2021 12 x 10 inches (h x w) Acrylic on canvas
About Julie Mellersh
Julie Mellersh is a Scarborough artist who works out of her home studio. She graduated from the University of Toronto’s Scarborough College, with majors in Fine Art and Women’s Studies. Julie spends a lot of time reading materials, sketching, often outdoors, and taking photos before beginning her work in the studio. Women, both those whom she knows, as well as historical figures are often the focus in her art. She is particularly interested in the contributions women make and have made in the domestic and public sphere. Nature and our environment also figure prominently in her art. The intelligence and tenacity in nature, often in the face of human interference, are a source of inspiration for her creativity.
Julie’s style ranges from a loose realistic style to the semi-abstract.