Julia McFarland, former owner of JMGA Creative, was a graphic designer for 34 years, receiving her AAS degree in 1984 in Advertising, Design, and Commercial Art from St. Louis Community College in Florissant Valley. Working first for Allen Advertising Agency, and then West County Typesetting in the St. Louis area, Julia branched out on her own in 1991, starting a graphic design business partnership with a college friend. Six years later, she opened her own design studio, JM Graphic Arts, Inc. (also known as JMGA Creative), which grew over the years to employ two additional full-time artists before Julia’s eventual retirement in 2018.

Since retiring, Julia spends much of her free time drawing. Starting with graphite pencils and expanding to colored pencils, pastels, PanPastels, and watercolor pencils, her specific passion has been pet and people portraiture.

However, Julia, who favors realism in her drawing style, has been exploring wildlife portraiture with a series she calls Wildlife Whispers. “God speaks to us in many ways,” says Julia. “When I look at the wildlife around me, I see God’s power, wisdom, whimsy, and incredible creativity. God whispers reminders of His Truth to me through His creatures and His creation, and I’m inspired to share those reminders in my drawings.”

Julia strives to add a different perspective to her drawings than what is typically seen. Julia wants each creature to bring an element of personal discovery for the viewer, and has started sharing the inspiration stories for each Wildlife Whispers drawing on her website blog page. She believes that providing the background story for each art piece enables a more immersive art experience and, most importantly, invites the viewer to experience a deeper relationship with our Creator.

Julia’s Wildlife Whispers originals, as well as limited edition giclee prints of these pieces, are available for purchase. For more information on prints or custom portrait commissions, fill out the form on the contact page.

Julia is a juried member of the Oxford Artist Guild in Oxford, Mississippi, and a juried member of the Greater St. Louis Artists (GSLA) in St. Louis, Missouri.

Contact

jmgaartist@gmail.com
(618)444-8713