GSLA member 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, 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 recently been exploring wildlife portraiture by starting a series called 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, so it feels natural for me to include those whispers in my drawings.”

Julia strives to add a different perspective to her drawings than what is typically seen. Whether it’s a look of “in your face” boldness, goofiness, whimsy, or majesty, or perhaps a subtle softness mixed with unexpected color, she wants each creation to bring an element of discovery to the viewer. It’s her way to invite the viewer to revel in the wonder of the creation that surrounds us. “I want my viewers to hear God’s whispers, too,” she says.

Julia’s “Wildlife Whispers” originals, as well as giclee prints of these pieces, are available for purchase. For more information on prints or custom portrait commissions, visit her website at https://www.jmgaportraitartist.com/.

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.