Artist of the Month: Julia Whitney Barnes

Say hello to another of our new collections from the wonderful Julia Whitney Barnes. 

Delicate and striking. Julia is known for her distinctive cyanotype work and the thoughtful process behind each design. Based in Poughkeepsie, her intricate mixed-media pieces reveal a deep admiration for flora and all growing things, resulting in artwork that feels both beautiful and mysterious.

"I am most interested in creating objects that feel both beautiful and mysterious. I want them to be familiar yet slightly outside of time."

 

What makes this collection stand out is Julia’s use of the cyanotype process, producing the rich, but unmistakable deep blue that defines every design. Expect elegant florals with a hint of botanical drama, cards that feel truly unique and special. This range includes birthday wishes, occasion cards, and blank designs that double as miniature artworks ready to be framed.

Step 1

From this collection and Julia’s other artwork, it’s easy to see how nature is at the heart of everything she creates. It is through this knowledge and admiration for nature that Julia creates a composition of mixed wildflowers, weeds or cultivated flowers. Julia manipulates physical impressions of plants from her Hudson Valley garden and local areas, along with intricately cutout photographic negatives.

Each selected flower is preserved through a pressing process in which she dissects and shapes each form — almost like specimens from a natural history museum — and then lays everything out in massive flat files in her attic studio.

Step 2

Because cyanotype relies on sunlight to begin the exposure process, Julia often arranges her intricate compositions at night. She then uses long exposures under natural or UV light to develop the prints, allowing the signature blue tones to emerge slowly and beautifully.

Step 3

From there, each piece is brought to life through delicate hand layering with watercolour, gouache and ink, building depth, texture and expression.

Julia explains it perfectly: “It is deeply satisfying to take something that is ephemeral and represent it in a way that can live on forever.”

Julia’s collection invites you to slow down and look closer. Layers of detail, careful craftsmanship and a genuine love of nature run through every design. Creating cards that feel as meaningful as the moments they’re chosen for.

Whether you’re sending a thoughtful note or looking for something frame-worthy, this collection is one to explore. Be sure to take a look at the full range and discover your favourites.

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