Julia Appelin
Bio
Julia Appelin is a Swedish artist on a mission: rekindling our sense of wonder for the natural world. Armed with architectural training from the Royal Danish Academy (2001–07), she swapped blueprints for brushes and now creates from Cloughjordan's thriving community. Currently deepening her practice through Milan Art Institute's Mastery program, Julia channels inspiration from Earth's splendour, ancient folklore, and mythical landscapes. Her paintings pulse with radiant colour, luminous light, and tactile depth—born from a spirited interplay of intuition and disciplined craft. Through fearless experimentation across mediums and techniques, she beckons us to slow down, peer closer, and rediscover nature's extraordinary intelligence. Every piece carries her conviction: art as both a love letter to the living world and a rallying cry to protect it. Save Mother Earth, every time—it's woven into her creative DNA.
Meaning & motivation
Deep roots
Since a child, Julia has been deeply connected to nature, being outdoors, living among deciduous forests and lakes, the vibrant coastline, and sailing out to sea, has embedded a deep bond and understanding for the complexity and beauty of nature itself. In her being, she stands firmly earthing, with one leg in water and one in the forest. Growing up with a rich folklore of Nordic folklore and ancestry, with fornnordic mythology and ancient burial grounds that always captivated her. This provides the artist with a profound link to nature, history, and the earth.
Life is harder than ever before, with nature collapsing, constant noise and technology surrounding us. We need to save ourselves and the living biosphere of life around us. Find the way back to fall in love with the mysteriousness that Mother Nature.
Inspiration Studio
Creative life
Appelin draws inspiration from the world around her, beautiful, raw, gritty, but soulful nature. Creation is life, and she lives by it every day, in everything she does. It explains the practise name Studio, cause the boundless potential, unrestricted possibilities, allowing for infinite growth and exploration in all ways, with the motto: Anything is possible. Variation makes way for a full creative life; free flow in the studio with music, new impressions exploring while using the camera, or studying nature in plein air painting.
The creative process is a huge part of being fully immersed and channelling Art. Like in architecture, diverse methods, processes, techniques and the thought of reflection are important to make meaningful art for the Artist.
To remain in a perpetual state of learning and growth, finding delight in the journey itself. Abstract art is special, trusting gut instinct with a twist of spontaneity but with restriction, making the materials come together to sing harmony.
Appelin's art is channelling deep meaning, solving questions, provoking thoughts, letting you feel deeply. Awaken your mind, opening eyes and heart to see a wonderful world, we love and treasure, bringing the magic back.
You are Nature, You are Art.
Personal ~ Family
Live large
Julia's household is a lively blend of three (soon all) teenage sons, her Irish husband, and an ever-entertaining crew of cats, dogs, budgies, and rabbits—proof that creative chaos and joy go hand in hand. Living in Copenhagen for 21 years, the family moved to Ireland 2020 to connect to the Irish roots. Anchored on land beside the ecovillage in Cloughjordan, their architect duo is dreaming big: wildflower meadows teeming with life, quirky play zones for rekindling wonder, a reflective nature pond, productive vegetable patches, a crackling firepit, and inviting spaces to be together. The society thrives as a connected, vibrant community with a culture deeply embedded in its regenerative sustainable eco farm, —where art, music, dance, creativity, all in nature come together. Exploring and creating memories are a significant aspect of their life philosophy, and the natural environment of Ireland is truly remarkable.
Create with artist
Commission
Do you have an idea, or combining several ones into one unique painting. Awaken a memory, engage your inspiration, turn on your senses or put your stamp on history. Do you have a collaboration in mind?