ARTIST STATEMENT
This work was inspired by my mother’s story of an owl that appeared outside her bedroom window every night after my father passed. Its presence carried a quiet power, both mysterious and consoling, as if the natural world had found a way to speak into grief. The owl became a symbol of continuity, a witness that bridged absence and remembrance. Rendered in ink, Protection explores the expressive potential of line as a language of stillness. The circular frame suggests the enduring cycles of life and loss, while the deliberate, meditative marks reflect the patience required to see what remains. Through balance, rhythm, and restraint, this piece honors the enduring presence of love, silent, watchful, and ever returning.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Julie Ann Ausbrook’s art showcases the emotional experience of her subjects. All living and non-living beings crave to be seen, and Julie strives to provide her subjects with a visual platform to express this desire to be truly visible. Julie’s subjects are often in a state of sadness, contemplation, and solitude. They are brave as they reveal themselves as vulnerable beings. Art provides viewers the opportunity of witnessing both the artist’s and the artist’s subject’s true selves. Through her art, Julie invokes the intimate relationships between people, buildings, and nature to foster more meaningful and authentic connections.
© Julie Ann Ausbrook