Hi, I’m Julia Barnes!

From a young age, I loved drawing and painting. I grew up dreaming of being an artist, but as a teenager, a sudden awareness of the ecological crisis shifted my perspective and my life’s path.

I set everything aside in order to become a documentary filmmaker so that I could tell important stories and bring the ocean’s most pressing issues to the forefront of people’s minds.

Filmmaking allowed me to travel and dive in places I had only dreamed of visiting. Spending years immersed in ocean conservation gave me a deep appreciation for the underwater world. I was able to observe and interact with incredible species, from being nose-to-nose with crocodiles, to swimming alongside 30-foot whale sharks, to witnessing the symbiosis between cleaner wrasse and barracuda.

Having the privilege of learning from some of the world’s most renowned ocean experts, explorers, and environmentalists has given me an understanding of the unique challenges facing the ocean.

In recent years, I picked up a paintbrush again, determined to combine my love for the ocean with my passion for storytelling and my skills in watercolour painting. I believe art is a powerful medium for communication. An image can spark curiosity, connection, and empathy, inviting the viewer into an incredible part of the planet they may never have considered.

My direct experiences in nature have inspired many of my creations.

Through my paintings, I hope to inspire in others the same love and fascination that I feel towards the ocean, to capture the magic and wonder of the underwater world, and to encourage everyone to take action and make a positive difference.

Thank you for being part of my journey!