Depicting the Self - an encounter with Julie Heffernan

​When depicting the self, it's important to do one of two things. Stay true to likeness, or stay true to self. We can draw, paint, show in some way, an exact impression of what we look like. This is the typical professional portrait which has gracefully evolved from traditions before photography, where we replicated the true image of a person the best we could on canvas or paper.

​The other way is to demonstrate who we are, with symbol, expressions, and abstractions of form, which show and inspire thoughts and feelings which can map the psyche of the individual who is being painted.


“The work is a continuation of my interest in climate change and the kinds of changes we are going to have to consider in order to deal with some of its eventualities – perhaps an opportunity for some creativity in how we approach habitats and lifestyles.” Julie Heffernan

A renowned self portraiture artist, with a distinct tangent for the abstraction of feeling and hence expression on the outside, in perhaps the 'nearest best fit of nature' if I may pick a phrase in humble interpretation, Heffernan is willing to show herself in some intimate and telling fantasy, which leads us in many directions of thought.


Perhaps in some pictures, where the feminine is changed to masculine, the feeble and immature element within gives way to sensations of vulnerability and anxiety, mixed with freshness and willingness to be.  

​Nature is evident as a major influence in the work of Julie Hefferrnan, and the ideals of climate protection and conservation, symbols of fruiting trees sprouting from the inner belly, manifestations of motion and thought like dreamy landscapes - are bejewelled by the sheer quality of detail.

Complete Portrait And Figure Painting (step-by-step)