Julianna Brion’s illustrations are bold and beautiful, but it’s her recycled sketchbooks that really pack a punch. Drawn on old used books, she turns the written surface into her canvas, experimenting with colors and shapes and the way those interact with the written word underneath.
Based in Baltimore, her techniques span from ink illustrations to mixed media and painting; and her work has been exhibited in galleries, as well as featured in top tier publication like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Penguin Books.
“Baltimore inspires me a lot,” she admitted in an interview with Working not Working. “But I try to take trips periodically to refresh myself mentally and creatively. I’ve made it a priority to take at least one trip a year since I started my illustration career, away from the studio and away from the internet. My best ideas almost always occur in the times I find myself away from my computer.”
But her inspiration and creativeness stem not only from the outside world, but also from her family ties, explaining that her father is an illustrator and sculptor and her mother works in advertising. “I come from a whole family of illustrators and designers,” she added. “My grandmother, Anne Rockwell, has written over 200 children’s books! I’d love an opportunity to work with her on a book someday.”
Take a look at some of her work in the gallery below:
