JULIE REBY WAAS
530 West 25th Street, New York, NY
Julie Reby Waas has been creating abstract drawings for as long as she can remember. It was only during the isolating, stressful time of the Coronavirus pandemic, however, that Waas began turning her original designs into artwork. Seeking to bring joy to herself and others, Waas uses bright colors and compelling patterns to evoke spontaneous reactions. Her geometric shapes and motifs serve as a way to bring order to her sometimes disordered life, and Waas identifies three recurring symbols in her work: vines, Venn diagrams, and jigsaw puzzle-like designs. This philosophy remains at the core of her newest series of paintings. Inspired by the six sides of the Rubick’s Cube, the pieces evoke the harmonious simplicity of Piet Mondrian’s designs, with neatly arranged blocks of primary colors. To her, these shapes represent friendship, connection, common ground, and fragments coming together to create a bigger picture, which all relate to Waas’s belief that everything and everyone is interrelated in some way, and when we come together in friendship and strength we create a beautiful tapestry.
In addition to creating art, Julie Reby Waas works as a labor and employment lawyer at Baptist Health South Florida. She exhibits her work in galleries in New York, London, Miami, Innsbruck, and Madrid, drawing inspiration from artists like Piet Mondrian and Joan Miró. Her most profound influence is her autistic son, Jonathan, whose bold and unique style as a child inspires her work. Waas’s art aims to bring happiness and enthusiasm to her viewers.
JULIE REBY WAAS ON
My elaborate acrylic and watercolor drawings take shape instinctively. My process is a spiritual experience guided by my heart and intuition. When I create, I shut out the rational side of my brain and let the subconscious and intuitive voice speak through my hand and onto the paper. I often start with a simple idea, such as vines, hearts, and geometric forms, and let the outline take shape organically. I never know until I fill in the outline of the piece which colors or patterns I will use. I trust my intuition and enjoy the thrill of seeing where it will take me. In many ways, it is therapeutic for me. I want my pieces to brighten my viewers’ lives, make them pause in their busy lives, and bring a smile to their faces. Along the same lines, my recent series of paintings was inspired by the six sides of the Rubik’s Cube, conveying harmony and interconnectedness through neat lines and bold primary colors. For inquiries, sales@agora-gallery.com
