JULIE STEAD ART & DESIGN

My Services

Painting

I am passionate about faces and capturing my subject's emotion. I work mainly in oils and use layering techniques, wide brush strokes and my palette knife to add accents and character to my paintings.

Design

My designs focus on user experience. I enjoy creating challenging, intuitive and beautiful products. From marketing material to publications, my design process is very hands on and visual

Web Design

I believe in easy navigation, good user interface and responsive, beautiful design. I use Adobe XD for wireframes and UI development. The site is developed with a combination of HTML, CSS and Javascript. I have also created sites using WordPress and Squarespace.

Julie Stead

JULIE STEAD (Turner)

I am a Cape Town based artist, specialising mainly in large oil portraits. I am especially drawn to African women and children. My choice of subject matter was influenced by my work with children in the townships in Johannesburg where I taught at a small school on Saturdays. Capturing the expression and emotion, especially in the eyes of my subjects is very important to me.

I did my Fine Arts degree at Pietermaritzburg University and then worked in the IT sector for several years as a project manager.

After realising that I missed my creative side, I changed my career and moved into graphic design. I am still actively involved in design work.

It was only after moving to Cape Town in 2010 that I began painting again. I enjoy using colour, wide brushes and my palette knife to add accents and character to my portraits. More recently I have started using traditional African beads and Shwe Shwe fabric to dress my subjects.

I am a member of the South African Artists Association and have exhibited my work at the AVA Gallery, Studio Art Gallery, Kirstenbosch Gallery, Youngblood Gallery, KnexT Art Gallery and The Travelling Art Gallery. My paintings now hang in people’s homes in Alaska, Poland, Switzerland, India, Canada, the UK and a number of beautiful homes in South Africa.

Please contact me for any design work / if you would like to view/purchase any of my artwork / if you would like to commission a painting.

Press: Artists Feature View feature

Skills

90%

Photoshop

75%

Illustrator

95%

Indesign

85%

Web Design

PORTFOLIO

×

Adorned in Blue

Oil, Shwe Shwe & beads on canvas (1200 X 900) R29 500

This beautiful strong woman is adorned in brilliant pink cotton lace and blue patterned Shwe shwe fabric which is wrapped around the canvas frame. She has traditional Malawian beads around her neck and a range of different coloured African beads on her skin and around her wild hair, some of them even sparkle in the light as they have reflective surfaces. She was a pleasure to paint and her personality inspired the use of Michael Harding’s brilliant pink and Kings Blue Deep oil paint. Stencils were used to make the blue patterns in her hair.

Oil, Shwe Shwe & beads on canvas | (1200 X 900mm) | R29 500

Feeling the sand

Oil, Shwe Shwe & beads on canvas (1200 X 900) R29 500

All children love the beach and Thuli is no exception, the feeling of the warm sand in her hands and all around her provided hours of entertainment. I enhanced her incredible curly hair with blue paint, ribbons made from strips of Shwe Shwe fabric and pink beads stuck in her hair and around her head. The sand has small gold beads stuck to its surface and the sea has blue grey reflective beads scattered around which sparkle in different light.

Oil, Shwe Shwe & beads on canvas | (1200 X 900mm) | R29 500

Hooded

Oil & beads on canvas (1200 X 900) R29 500

This Painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Lauren Rautenbach during her work in Khayelitsha, where she set up a home for young children. Khayelitsha is large black township situated on the Cape flats outside Cape Town. Living conditions are not easy there, especially for the youth. I was drawn to this teenaged boy’s expression. I used subdued colours and brought in texture with the use of different stencils to create the patterns on his face and his hooded sweatshirt. There are also dark green wooden African beads stuck onto his clothing to enhance the texture.

Oil & beads on canvas | (1200 X 900mm) | R29 500

Girl Orange

Mixed media with shwe shwe fabric and beads (900 x 1200) R29 500

This little girl’s bright orange woolen hair extensions inspired the use of the orange colour in the painting. Her large dark brown eyes are just beautiful. Her jacket is made up of cut-outs of flowers and patterns from a piece of blue Shwe Shwe fabric. The inside shirt is a large folded piece of orange Shwe Shwe fabric. African wooden beads finish off the ends of the plaits in her hair.

Mixed media with shwe shwe fabric and beads | (900 x 1200mm) | R29 500

Bulelwe

Oil on Canvas (1010 x 760) R13 000

I met this beautiful woman working in a hair salon and after watching her smile, I asked if i could paint her.

Oil on Canvas (1010 x 760) R13 000

Water Beads

Mixed Media on canvas (1400 X 930) SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photograph by Geran de Klerk. "Water Beads" is part of the Bayala Blue Series, painted for an event with Cycle of Life and Bayala Safari Lodge, to raise funds for rhino dehorning . The dark sky and water highlight the water spray. I used layering of oil paint and stencil work to get the skin texture of this huge elephant spraying water across the front of the painting. This spray and water are further enhanced by African and reflective beads.

Oil on canvas | (1400 X 930mm) | SOLD

Acacia View

Mixed Media canvas (1400 X 930) SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photograph by Ahmed Galal. "Acacia View" is part of the Bayala Blue Series, painted for an event with Cycle of Life and Bayala Safari Lodge, to raise funds for rhino dehorning . This painting involved lots of layers of oil paint, some exposing the branches and thorns and some hiding them. I used artistic licence with the Acacia leaves, and together with stencils and outline work, the leaves take on a form of their own. The cheetah is so beautiful and majestic looking out from the tree, and I wanted to capture that feeling with the use of colour and brush strokes. His eyes were a focal point for me. African beads were used to add to the texture of the tree and the cheetah fur.

Oil on canvas | (1400 X 930mm) | SOLD

A Quiet Place

Mixed Media on canvas (1400 X 930) SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photograph taken at Klein Namutoni Waterhole in Etosha. 'A Quiet Place' also forms part of the Bayala Blue Series, painted for an event with Cycle of Life and Bayala Safari Lodge, to raise funds for rhino dehorning. This painting is about places where rhinos can live in peace, in their natural habitat as one of nature's most majestic creatures, free from being hunted. Living in peace. We all just have to help save these beautiful creatures. This oil painting involved a lot of pattern work; I used new stencils to create the bush and parts of the rhino and enjoyed the diverse marks they made. I then brought in linework to outline parts of the bush and rhino. As the sun sets, it casts beautiful light on the Rhino, and I added beads to highlight this in the hope of a better future.

Oil on canvas | (1400 X 930mm) | SOLD

Bayala Lion Cubs

Oil on canvas (600 X 1100) R18 500

This painting was inspired by a photograph taken at Bayal Safari Lodge in Hluhluwe, KZN. It was after the rain and the soil was moist and and the grass green, but I felt the softer more monotoned background made the lion cubs stand out more.

Oil on canvas | (600 X 1100mm) | R18 500

Just Chilling

Oil on canvas (400 X 800) R8 400

This painting was inspired by a photograph taken in Bayala Safari Game Lodge in KZN, The Cheetah was just sitting and looking ahead in this beautiful landscape.

Oil on canvas | (400 X 800mm) | R8 400

Beach Time

Oil & beads on canvas (870 X 1200) R21 500

The photograph used as a reference for these three Mozambique girls showed the beauty of the girls against the incredible sand and water.

Oil & beads on canvas | (870 X 1200mm) | R21 500

Knysna Girl

Oil on canvas (1200 X 1500) R34 500

This sweet little girl goes to Siyafunda Pre Primary in the White Location just outside Knysna. The photo was taken by my sister, who was part of the Epap feeding scheme there. I just love the way her face is about to break into a smile, and her beautiful sparkling dark eyes and curly hair further added to her appeal. I had to revisit this painting a few times to get the right atmosphere. I used lots of layering and glazing techniques often with a stencil in order to create the texture of her skin and clothes as well as on the background.

Oil on canvas | (1190 X 1500mm) | R34 500

Lelothando

Oil on canvas (950 X 950) R15 500

Painting such a beautiful little girl over lockdown was my escape.

Oil on canvas | (950 x950mm) | R15 500

Another day at the runway

Oil on canvas (910 x 600) SOLD

This is the second painting that was inspired by a photograph taken by a friend while on holiday in Mozambique. The runway at the Inhambane Airport provides entertainment for the children who live in the area.

Oil on canvas | (910 x 600mm) | SOLD

Adorned in Red

Oil & beads on canvas (1200 X 900) SOLD

This beautiful woman was painted in oils then decorated with African beads which were stuck around her neck and in her hair. The light around her hair was painted in Michael Harding's Kings Blue Light, one of my favourite colours. She is the first in a series of 2 with the same model.

Oil & beadson on canvas | (1200 X 900mm) | SOLD

Warm Mozambique Water

Oil on canvas (1190 X 1500) SOLD

This photo was taken by a friend while on holiday on the Bazaruto Island, off the coast of Southern Mozambique. What I loved was the look on his face, and the way the sun shone through his eyelashes, creating beautiful shaped shadows as he enjoys his swim in the warm water.

Oil on canvas | (1190 X 1500mm) | SOLD

The Tidal Pool

Oil on canvas (1200 x 1500) SOLD

Mabee and Plati were having their first spring swim at Buffels Bay Tidal Pool, Cape Point. The water was cold and crisp so getting in took a while, but the swim was worth the wait :)

Oil on canvas | (1200 x 1500mm) | SOLD

Blue Binding

Oil on linen (700 X 1100) SOLD

Washing clothes, her gentle eyes and smile tell a story. I exaggerated her wild hair and carried the blue lines and patterns to hold her close. This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Lauren Rautenbach "All girls need to sparkle"

Oil on linen | (700 X 1100mm) | SOLD

Beautiful

Oil on canvas (900 X 900) R14 000

Beautiful is exactly what I felt when I saw the photographs of this model by Lauren Rautenbach. Sometimes a person’s features may detract one’s eyes to look down and away, but when someone bears their features openly and proudly, the personality is enhanced and radiates beauty.

Oil on canvas | (900 X 900mm) | R14 000

Walk Together

Oil on canvas (1300 x 1000) SOLD

Just loved these three children walking accross the sand to the water, especially the way the older two are holding onto the little one. This painting was inspired by another photograph taken by a friend while on holiday in Mozambique. The actual background was changed to depict the beach in Maputo, in order to give them more space and bring in a surreal aspect to the painting.

Oil on canvas | (1300 x 1000mm) | SOLD

Beautiful Dreads

Oil on canvas (1100 x 1000) SOLD

What spoke to me about this little girl was her spunk, and of course her beautiful eyes and hair. The painting was done during lockdown, I've noticed that during this period my work became much more realistic especially my faces. Maybe it was the need to get some sort of control, I don'y know :) This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Lauren Rautenbach.

Oil on canvas | (1100 x 1000mm) | SOLD

Shining

Oil on canvas (1220 X 1520) SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Lauren Rautenbach titled “Keep shining – you are my sun, my moon and all of my stars”

Oil on canvas | (1220 X 1520mm) | SOLD

The Light of Happiness

Oil on canvas (750 X 750) SOLD

The happiness I feel when looking at this little girl makes me smile, a smaller work for a change but an absolute pleasure to paint.

Oil on canvas | (750 x750mm) | SOLD

Christina

Oil on linen (900 X 1100) SOLD

Christina is a quiet and gentle Malawian women, her baby boy is strapped close to her on her back. Looking outside, thinking of her return home in the next few days.

Oil on linen | (900 X 1100mm) | SOLD

Close your eyes

Oil on canvas (1000 X 1200) SOLD

Joy experienced by children is so contagious, I wanted to capture this feeling and use colour and pattern to show the playfulness that comes out so effortlessly when children feel happy. This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Lauren Rautenbach - "Fatty boom boom"

Oil on canvas | (1000 X 1200mm) | SOLD

The Runway

Oil on canvas (1000 X 1500) SOLD

This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by a friend on a recent holiday in Mozambique. The runway provides the entertainment for these children. What I loved was the composition with the colourful shapes and patterns of the children’s bodies and clothes against the background with its straight horizontal lines and distant vegetation.

Oil on canvas | (1000 X 1500mm) | SOLD

Umbala

Oil on canvas (700 X 900) SOLD

What I wanted to capture in this painting was the light and incredible colour. Umbala - colour in Xhosa is what this model projected, seen in both her personality and her clothing.

Oil on canvas | (700 X 900mm) | SOLD

Tash

Oil on canvas (1100 X 1500) SOLD

My beautiful neice, a present for my sister. For all the happiness they both bring to my life.

Oil on canvas | (1100 X 1500mm) | SOLD

Fisherman's kidz

Oil on canvas (1200 X 1500) SOLD

These fisherman's children have fun scaring people with the latrge crabs. This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by Gina Good while on holiday in Mozambique

Oil on canvas | (1200 X 1500mm) | SOLD

May Storm

Oil on canvas (1300 X 1200) SOLD

A storm at Noordhoek beach. I had to experience the wind and hear the waves pounding onto the sand. It was late afternoon and the light was incredible. The wind was so strong it was hard to even walk against it, but it was so invigorating to be there. I wanted to capture what I felt in this painting and I so enjoyed using colour and thick paint to do just that :)

Oil on canvas | (1300 X 1200mm) | SOLD

Being drawn back

Oil on canvas (600 X 420) R6 700

Noordhoek beach is one of my favourite beaches, the emmense expanse of sand, the colour of the water and the huge sky, all of which constantly change with the changing light. This seascape was done while my son surfed at Dunes. The light reflecting on the wet sand as the waves were drawn back each time was really beautiful. Capturing this moment with colour washes and thick impasto techniques was a lot of fun especially on a smaller canvas for a change :)

Oil on canvas | (600 X 420mm) | R6 700

The line of light

Oil on canvas (400 X 600) R6 100

Another Noordhoek beach study. I wanted to try a seascape in a protrait format to see what effect it would create. What I loved about this seascape was the intense line of light on the sand against the dark greeny blue sea and incredible dark blue sky with it's massive bank of clouds.

Oil on canvas | (400 X 600mm) | R6 100

Lagoon

Oil on canvas (1200 x 900) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (1200 x 900mm) | SOLD

The Baobabs

Oil on canvas (420 X 297)

This landscape was a gift for a special friend, I loved doing a landscape for a change

Oil on canvas | (420 X 297mm) | A Gift

The Baobabs Ink Study

Pen and Ink (420 X 297)

This landscape was a gift for another special friend, so enjoyed doing pen and ink again

Pen and Ink | (420 X 297mm) | A Gift

Cotton Girl

Oil on canvas (1210 X 1525) SOLD

This little girl is painted from a photograph by Lauren Rautenbach called "the art of effective dreaming"

Oil on canvas | (1210 X 1525mm) | SOLD

Zeekoevlei

Oil on canvas (765 x 610) SOLD

This landscape makes use of the texture of bandages to add to the moody sky and water

Oil on canvas | (765 x 610mm) | SOLD

Sand boarding

Oil on canvas (2000 x 1000) SOLD

Arniston, kids sandboarding with the sea in the background - just such a beautiful place.

Oil on canvas | (2000 x 1000mm) | SOLD

Izzy

Oil on canvas (1210 X 1525) SOLD

Izzy captures the uplifting personality of this beautiful model, Esnarth Ngulube

Oil on canvas | (1210 X 1525mm) | SOLD

Miss Mischief

Oil on canvas (1100 X 1250) SOLD

This little girl is painted from a photograph by Lauren Rautenbach called "Ndiphuze"

Oil on canvas | (1100 X 1250mm) | SOLD

Little Rasta

OIL ON CANVAS (1000 X 1000) SOLD

A wonderful commission of this little boy who is so full of life and energy

OIL ON CANVAS | (1000 X 1000) | SOLD

Karoo Storm

Oil on canvas (1000 X 1000) SOLD

Karoo landscape after a rain storm.

Oil on canvas | (1210 X 1525mm) | SOLD

Little Girl

Oil on canvas (1520 X 1250) SOLD

This little girl is painted from a photograph by Lauren Rautenbach called "up, up and away"

Oil on linen | (1520 X 1250mm) | SOLD

Nosi

Oil on linen (1100 X 1250) SOLD

This beautiful woman is painted from a photograph by Lauren Rautenbach called "i can't stand to fly"

Oil on linen | (1100 X 1250mm) | SOLD

Sarah

Oil on canvas (450 X 300) SOLD

Beautiful commission for a beautiful person

Oil on canvas | (450 X 300mm) | SOLD

painting 1

Eyes

Oil on canvas (750 X 750) SOLD

This painting has found it's new home in India

Oil on canvas | (750 X 750mm) | SOLD

Amara Amara

OILS ON CANVAS (1000 X 1000) SOLD

This is the second painting of Amara who was photographed in the Kgalagadi with her mom.

OILS ON CANVAS | (1000 X 1000) | SOLD

West Coast

OILS ON CANVAS (1000 X 1100) SOLD

OILS ON CANVAS | (1000 X 1100) | SOLD

Esnarth

Oil on canvas (1210 X 1525) SOLD

This is the second painting of this beautiful model, Esnarth Ngulube

Oil on canvas | (1210 X 1525mm) | SOLD

Amara

Oil on canvas (1000 X 1000) SOLD

Amara was photographed in the Kgalagadi with her mom, she was so lovely to paint.

Oil on canvas | (1000 X 1000mm) | SOLD

Contemplation

OIL ON CANVAS (700 X 700) R6 800

OIL ON CANVAS | (700 X 700) | R6 800

Inhoek

Oil on canvas (500 x 700) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (500 X 700mm) | SOLD

Sun hat

Oil on canvas (900 x900) R 9800.00

Oil on canvas | (900 X 900mm) | R 9800.00

Close

Oil on canvas (600 x 800) R 5800.00

Oil on canvas | (600 X 800mm) | R 5800.00

Looking

Oil on canvas (590 x 840) R 5900.00

Oil on canvas | (600 X 800mm) | R 5900.00

Orange Poppies

Oil on canvas (500 x 600) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (500 x 600mm) | SOLD

Sherri's Roses

Oil on canvas (450 x 600) R4 500.00

Oil on canvas | (450 x 600mm) | R4 500.00

Long Road

Oil on canvas (400 x 500) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (400 x 500mm) | SOLD

Singing

Oil on canvas (600 x 840) R 6500.00

Oil on canvas | (600 x 840mm) | R 6500.00

Heather

Oil on canvas (800 x 800) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (800 x 800mm) | SOLD

Daniel

Oil on canvas (500 x 750) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (500 x 750mm) | SOLD

Luke

Oil on canvas (600 x 500) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (600 x 500mm) | SOLD

Dan & Frost

Oil on canvas (600 x 600) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (600 x 600mm) | SOLD

Nic & Damian

Oil on canvas (800 x 600) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (800 x 600mm) | SOLD

Lorna

Oil on canvas (750 x 550) SOLD

Oil on canvas | (750 x 550mm) | SOLD

Life

Lithograph print(450 x 600) R1200.00

Lithograph print | (450 x 600mm) | R1200.00

Thought

Pencil drawing(450 x 600)

Pencil drawing | (450 x 600mm)

Sleep

Pencil drawing(500 x 750)

Pencil drawing | (500 x 750mm)

2nd CHIETA Careers Publication

This 89 page publication was requested by the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) to promote careers in the Chemical Industry. It was designed to attract and interest students and teachers. The design project had to be adapted to apply their new Corporate Identity.

DHET Flyer

This A4 flyer was requested by the Department of Higher Education (DHET) to inform learners of the options & benefits of following a career in Trades. It had to grab their attention & ensure the information was concise & easy to access.

Meir Price List & Catalogues

Creating the Meir UK & Meir Netherlands Price Lists & Catalogues involved design & layout in Indesign, technical drawing editing in Illustrator and photo manipulation in Photoshop. A time consuming project resulting in a good product & a happy client.

Brand Identity for Touch Stone Balance

This project involved creating the brand identity for Touch Stone Balance. This beauty salon offers a new range of medical grade facial treatments together with health suppliments and the new branding brings it all together. This project included the new logo, business cards, gift vouchers, price lists and the design of a brand new website. www.touchstonebalance.com.

Book Cover Design

This project involved the design of a book cover for Bernd Hunerkoch who brought rugby to the town of Bremen in North West Germany in the 60s. The brief was to connect the Breman Town identity & the rugby story in an interesting & colourful way. The book cover design & layout was done in Indesign. Photoshop was used to fix and enhance old black & white photos and apply a sepia effect to ensure that all photos could be used together. The book is currently being published in Germany.

Kho-Nected Package Design

Kho-Nected is all about natural products & packaging with everything being biodegradable, recyclable & BPA free. This package design will be printed on dark kraft paper so the design had to be done with that in mind.

Travel-wizz Logo & Postcard Design

Travel-wizz sell travel products online & needed a simple logo that could be used on labels & be easily printed on black & white. The postcards are delivered with the product and needed to establish a brand identity as well as instructions on how to use and care for the product.

Link Property People promotional work

The design work for Link Property People aims to inform clients about their unique service & the new properties available. Folders, brochures, signage, newspaper ads & business cards are some of the promotional material requested by Link.

Kim Cloete Design

Banner (850 x 2000mm)

The banner and this flyer, seen above was requested by Kim Cloete Design, a jeweller who was presenting at a conference and needed marketing material. Her jewellery design is unique, personal and upmarket and this needed to be portrayed in her marketing material.

Pace Career Centre Publications

Publication

This design job is done for Pace Career Centre, who publish 4 Directories & CD annually as part of a resource pack. This material is produced as career guidance resources for students and educators. The brief was to use layout, colours and images to make the content fun and interesting to read.

SET Publication

A4 204 page publication

This 204 page publication was an eight month project, requested by the Department of Science and Technology to promote careers in the Science and Technology Industry. It involved the design and layout for the publication and researching the appropriate images and related content. The design and layout had to be done in such a way as to make the content interesting and simple to access.

CHIETA Publication

A4 - 97 page publication

This 97 page publication was requested by the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) to promote careers in the Chemical Industry. It was designed to attract and interest students and teachers. To explain the career content and make it more interesting, specific layout and images had to be used.

African Spiral Travel

Banner (850 x 2000mm)

The brochure, seen above together with the banner was requested by African Spiral Travel, to be used as marketing material at a conference. I was asked to highlight the care and individual attention given to their holiday and corporate clients.

Career Dress Up Day Posters

A1 Poster

Poster design to market "Career Dress up Day" - a PACE Career Centre initiative with the Department of Education. Career Dress Up Day is a fun event, designed to encourage Grade 7 learners to get excited and learn about their future careers. Career Dress up day is held in October every year and is set as an annual event in the primary school calendar.

Literacy & Numeracy

CD Cover

This CD design was requested by Pace Career Centre for their software that enables tertiary institutions to test student Literacy and Numeracy.

Contact Me

 

 

 

Julie Stead Art & Design

Claremont

Cape Town

South Africa

Tel: + 27 83 326 1508

Email: julie@pacecareers.com