Júlia Godoy
Nature, Art, and Resilience
By Alhanouf Mohammed Alrowaili
Júlia Godoy is an artist whose creative journey is deeply rooted in the natural world. Her work, which revolves around the use of natural materials like rocks, sand, and riverbed materials, reflects a profound connection to the environment. Born in Brazil and raised in the Midwest of the United States, Godoy’s upbringing in two distinct climates sparked an early curiosity about the world around her. Her art is an exploration of the intersection between memory, nature, and the personal experiences that shape us. Through her paintings, she invites viewers to reflect on their own relationships with the natural world, and in the process, she offers them a deeper sense of connection and mindfulness.
From Childhood Curiosity to Artistic Vocation
Godoy’s journey as an artist began in her early childhood, marked by an instinctual desire to create. She recalls moments from her youth in Brazil and Minnesota that laid the foundation for her artistic practice. One of her earliest memories is of drawing on her great-grandmother’s tablecloth using cherry juice she had picked from a tree in the backyard. In Minnesota, she would collect stones from the stream while waiting for the school bus and use them to write her name on the sidewalk. These moments of spontaneous creativity gave rise to a lifelong passion for art.
Her childhood also saw her develop a fascination with the natural world, particularly the materials she could find in her surroundings. Godoy fondly remembers having a collection of “good rocks,” which she carefully stored in a box under her bed. While the box was lost during her many moves, it eventually came back to her as an adult while studying Fine Arts in college, a serendipitous return that would lead to a new chapter in her artistic exploration.
A Pivotal Moment: The Pandemic and the Discovery of Natural Materials
Although Godoy’s interest in natural materials had been present since childhood, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that she truly realized the potential of using these materials in her art. The pandemic brought a series of challenges, including the closure of art studios and the loss of her job. With limited resources at her disposal, Godoy turned to the natural environment as a means of continuing her creative practice.
This period of restriction prompted a creative awakening, one that allowed her to connect with the land in a deeper way. At the time, Godoy was studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where she began refining her artistic process.
The lack of access to traditional art supplies pushed her to experiment with materials she had never considered before. The result was an art practice that emphasized resourcefulness, creativity, and an exploration of the inherent qualities of natural materials. As she began experimenting with natural pigments and other materials, Godoy’s work began to shift. Her art took on new subject matter, and she became increasingly focused on the archival quality of the pigments she was creating.
This phase of her journey led to a deep commitment to researching and refining natural pigments, an area she would later explore in greater depth during a grant-supported trip to Provence, France. There, she studied pigment refinement, which would ultimately shape her professional practice and bring her closer to her vision of blending nature with art.
The Role of Natural Materials in Her Art
Godoy’s work is defined by her use of natural materials sand, rocks, riverbed elements, and other organic and inorganic substances. These materials are not just components of her artwork; they are symbolic of her connection to the land and her personal memories. Each pigment, whether derived from a stone or a riverbed, carries its own unique molecular memory, which influences how it behaves on the canvas.
Through her process, Godoy has developed a technique she calls “blooming,” which involves allowing the natural elements to express themselves freely on the canvas. She describes this as a form of meditation, where she no longer tries to control the patterns that emerge but instead lets the materials guide the process. This act of surrender to the natural world mirrors her broader philosophy of embracing life’s uncertainties and finding beauty in imperfection.
Each of her paintings tells the story of the land, of her memories, and of the resilience inherent in both nature and humanity. Godoy’s use of natural pigments serves as a bridge between her intangible experiences and the physical world around her.
Her paintings evoke a sense of calm and introspection, inviting viewers to appreciate the subtle beauty of everyday natural objects and to reflect on their own experiences and connections with nature. Working with artists like Marika Tzantarmas the photographer who brings the beauty of her work, gives more meaning to art. They all share the same concept of creativity.
Sourcing Materials and Sustainable Practices
While Godoy’s work is deeply tied to nature, she is also conscious of the impact that collecting natural materials can have on the environment. As a responsible artist, she takes great care in sourcing her materials sustainably.
She does not disclose her exact foraging spots, but she makes sure to gather materials from areas that are abundant and not at risk of depletion. For example, she only collects fallen petals from flowers, ensuring that no living plant is harmed in the process.
Additionally, Godoy is careful to follow regulations regarding the collection of stones and other natural elements. She understands that there are limits to how much can be harvested from a given area, and she respects those boundaries to preserve the land for future generations. Her approach reflects her belief in the interconnectedness of all living things and her commitment to protecting the environment.
Art as a Tool for Healing and Community
In addition to her artistic practice, Godoy is deeply committed to community and environmental causes. During the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles, Godoy felt a strong urge to give back. Many of the trails she frequented for material collection were destroyed, and the local community was left reeling from the devastation. In response, she donated a portion of her sales to various land preservation groups and wildfire relief efforts.
Godoy also hosted a Natural Paint Making Workshop to support wildlife relief efforts, in collaboration with Usal Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to connecting people with nature. The workshop allowed participants to create their own watercolor palettes using pigments collected from local materials, and it was part of a broader initiative to help those affected by the fires.
Through these efforts, Godoy sees art as a powerful tool for healing. Her own experience with the loss of her home due to flooding gave her a unique perspective on the emotional toll of natural disasters, and she uses her work to help others process their feelings and find solace. Art, she believes, could transform pain into something beautiful, and in times of crisis, it can serve as a vehicle for emotional alchemy and recovery.
The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity
Júlia Godoy’s work sits at the intersection of tradition and modernity. While she draws from ancient practices of paint-making and the use of natural materials, her approach is distinctly contemporary. She embraces the historical techniques of pigment refinement while infusing them with a modern sensibility, reflecting her background in fine arts and her deep knowledge of art history.
The materials she uses, though deeply rooted in tradition, are integrated into modern artistic contexts. For example, she has also incorporated technology into her creative process by digitally sculpting and 3D printing travel cases for her watercolor palettes. This combination of old and new reflects Godoy’s belief that art is a living, evolving practice, one that must adapt to the changing world while honoring the wisdom of the past.
Conclusion
Her art spreads a message for the future. Júlia Godoy invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature and the planet. Her work serves as a reminder that we are not separate from the environment but are deeply interconnected with it.
In a world facing growing environmental challenges, Godoy’s art offers a call to action to reconnect with nature, to appreciate its beauty, and to protect it for future generations. Her journey as an artist is one of exploration, resilience, and transformation. By using natural materials, she creates work that is not only visually stunning but also rich in meaning. Through her paintings, workshops, and community efforts, Godoy continues to inspire others to see the world through a more mindful, creative lens, one that embraces the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
