A Creative Childhood in Pretoria
Julie Tugwell was born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa. Her childhood was immersed in the arts. She danced at PACT (Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal) and attended ballet and theatre performances from a young age. These experiences helped shape her deep appreciation for creative expression.
A Legacy of Art
Julie comes from a family of artists. Her father, Chris Tugwell, is a well-known landscape painter. Her mother was a passionate supporter of the arts and often took Julie to galleries. Although her mother hoped she would follow in her father’s footsteps, Julie only began painting after her mother’s passing in her mid-twenties. Grieving and seeking connection, she picked up a brush—and never stopped.
A Life-Changing Apprenticeship
Julie’s turning point came through meeting fine artist James Mooney. He invited her to apprentice in his studio, where she spent the next 16 years mastering hyper-realism. James taught her discipline, structure, and fine technique—skills that became the foundation of her craft.
Discovering Colour and Expression
While James nurtured her realist training, it was his wife, Jill Mooney, who opened the door to creative freedom. Jill encouraged Julie to experiment with colour, energy, and emotion. This mentorship helped Julie merge precision with intuition—creating the expressive, layered artworks she is known for today.
An Artist’s Life and Philosophy
Julie now paints full-time from her studio in South Africa. She creates both large expressive works and small hyper-detailed pieces. Her work is emotionally driven, drawing from personal experience, healing, and inner transformation.
“To be an artist is a tireless observing obsession and an overwhelming need to absorb,” Julie says. “There’s no fixed timetable—it’s a constant urge to learn and express.”
Art That Tells a Story
Julie Tugwell’s work is a vibrant blend of realism and abstraction. Her paintings explore beauty, emotion, and the journey of the soul. She is a distinct voice in the South African art world—her art collected both locally and abroad.