Painting pillows by Julia Tova Malakoff. Photo contributed
“Take Tea & See” at The Elden Street Tea Shop, is Herndon artist Julia Malakoff’s first solo show. “Tea for me is a time to pause and refresh my soul. And just as tea offers these rejuvenating qualities, so does the making of my art.” The show’s closing reception is open to the public on Aug. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Malakoff, a mixed media artist, can be found in her home-based studio standing in paint puddles, working with piles of paper with her dog Laila under her easel. Her tools often include household items: spatulas, basting brushes and corks as well as sticks, stamps and stencils.
Looking at Malakoff’s art is like reading a whimsical picture book. She says she wants her viewers to enjoy both seeing as well as feeling her paintings, following lines, seeing through layers of color and even gently touching the textured compositions. Her vibrant palette is visually appealing, but when invited to touch the paintings, viewers can appreciate another dimension of her work. Malakoff also applies her mixed media imagery to children’s books, which she pens and illustrates.
Malakoff has participated in numerous area art shows at ArtSpace, League of Reston Artists, Tryst Gallery, Jo-Ann Rose Gallery, Salon Arlington, Four Seasons of Oatlands. In June, she received an honorable mention from the Artists’ Atelier in Great Falls for her triptych, “Winter Blues.”
Three years ago, Malakoff realized there was a need for a class that introduced the basic elements of mixed media art. “Just like writing, adults need to be encouraged to visually express themselves,” she said. “Art should not be about perfection, but a way to explore your visual voice.” Her mixed media class is a loose environment where students can experiment with a variety of tools, paints and mediums. Malakoff strongly encourages people to make time for art play.
Early on, Malakoff worked as an artist representative, a career which began when she was approached by award-winning commercial artist, Michael David Brown. After two years with Brown, Malakoff launched her own business Envoy Creative Consultants, representing a dozen commercial photographers and illustrators.
You can sign up for her class, Make Your Mark, which is offered with Arts Herndon www.artspaceherndon.org as well as the Workhouse Center for the Arts in Lorton www.workhousearts.org
Malakoff’s website is: www.paperjewels.net where she blogs, sells prints, cards and pillows.