Heirloom Island: Fine Art, Prints & Stationary
Julieanne, the artist behind Heirloom Island, is a mother, world traveller, teacher and dreamer who creates with watercolours and acrylics and has turned a selection of her work into prints and cards. She spent her childhood growing up in the Sudbury area and her summers on Manitoulin Island. Her work is inspired by the time she spent living and travelling the globe as well as her home here in the north.
Read through to the end to enter our giveaway for a few of Heirloom Island’s beautiful prints!
What is the story behind Heirloom Island?
I am an explorer, mother, dreamer, wife and artist. I spent my childhood happily exploring the woods and beaches of Manitoulin Island with my sisters. After graduating from Laurentian I headed off for a summer travelling in Ireland which then turned into ten years of living and travelling around the globe. I experienced a lot and met some amazing people while living and exploring some awesome places – a tiny village on the west coast of Ireland, the ‘Big Country Town’ Brisbane in Australia, eclectic Budapest and more.
Six years ago my husband and I had the crazy idea to build a log cabin. So he went to log building school, we bought some logs and set to work building our own house. Since we have nearly completed that we decide to buy a run down camp on a tiny island on Manitoulin. I document our adventures as we reclaim this soon to be spectacular place on Instagram.
Where do you get inspiration for your artwork?
I love making and creating things. I draw, paint and create pieces of artwork inspired by my adventures abroad and from my experiences living in the North. I love nature, maps, music, camping and colour! My favourite pieces I turn into cards and prints.
Can you tell us more about your Where is Home Art Project?
I have always been interested in the idea of home. It seems to be a theme for me that has continued to come up in my work on and off throughout the years. I lived away from home, made new homes in different countries, then felt torn between living somewhere I loved but yet yearning to move back home. This year I plan to create a series of pieces exploring this idea. I am excited to hear other people’s ideas about what home means to them. I am hearing from people through Facebook, Instagram, email and actual really snail mail what home means to them.
What types of items do you sell in your shop? Where can we find your work?
In my shop, I currently sell original works of art as well as prints and cards. I have some events lined up for the summer and am really looking forward to them. I’ll have original works on display in the cafe at The Island Jar in Little Current for the months of May & June. You can also find my work for sale at The Outpost General Store in Little Current and I’ll be at the store participating in The Manitoulin Art Tour on July 15,16 & 17th. It’s my first time taking part in this event and I am really excited!
What has been your best seller so far?
My best selling and most popular pieces are my watercolour fingerprint map of Canada titled ‘Piece of Me’ (a similar work done in acrylics was accepted into the LaCloche Art Show last summer) and the iconic portage sign done in watercolours titled ‘Mr.Canoehead’.
A lot of people identify with the fingerprint painting, I think it is a great representation of being Canadian. When I lived abroad, I always felt very proud to be from such a fabulous country.
With the ‘Mr.Canoehead’ print, people often get a big smile on their face when they see it and I try to imagine what they are thinking – are they remembering a great canoe trip? Are they remembering what it was like to trek through the woods with a canoe on their back?? This seems like such a true and totally fabulous Northern Ontario experience to me.
Find out more about Heirloom Island:
http://heirloomisland.bigcartel.com
https://www.facebook.com/heirloomisland
Instagram: @heirloomisland
Heirloom Island is giving all of our readers free shipping on orders over $50! Just enter the coupon code OURCRATER at the checkout.
Emily Franceschini
Emily Franceschini is former full-timer and lover of all things purple. In a past life, Emily worked as a marketing manager and spent her free time searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Now all of her time is free time and she's spending it exploring the world.
Recommended Posts
UP HERE 7 LAUNCHES NEW MURALS FOR 2021
August 12, 2021
COVID CAN’T STOP UP HERE
August 13, 2020
BUT HOW BIG IS IT?!?!
August 06, 2019