Driftmark
Driftmark: the line of gathered remnants left by the sea when it pulls away. Movement caused by wind and current rather than intention or steering.
Found, not made. Carried, not chosen. Shaped by journey. A record of passage.
Julie Akerson Chicos
Artist
Julie Akerson Chicos is a mixed-media abstract artist, graphic designer, and writer who splits her time between Boston and Nantucket. You can find her paintings at the Artists Association of Nantucket https://www.nantucketarts.org and her writings at https://www.julieakersonchicos.com or at https://substack.com/@exquisitelyordinary.
Julie works primarily in resin and pigments while incorporating acrylics, semi-precious gems, textiles, and naturally found objects. The rich paintings pay homage to the artist's love of the sea and the world that hums beneath. Her unique style radiates tranquility and healing, while capturing that vibrant spirit of the sea.
Abstract underwater scapes, sea creatures, healing stones, and shells—all begging to be touched—are brought to life with contrasting yet harmonious colors and soothing compositions.
As the artist explains, “I am an artist and a storyteller, so to me, each piece is a visual and physical journey.”
From a young age, she was always creating and believes, “Everyone is an artist. Everyone was born with the gift to create. You just have to let yourself tap into it without judgment and see where it takes you."
Finding Inspiration
Something about the ocean, or water itself, is seductive and draws us in. The sound of the waves lapping the shore or a river weaving and winding its way over the rocks vibrates to the deepest part of our souls, making us long for more. That connection remains with us no matter how far we travel.
My compositions are an escape into the underwater world through the lens of abstract art.
From the time I was a child, I was drawn to the water. Growing up, my family spent summers at a lake in Maine, and the memory of long days swimming, exploring, and being together over a fire is a feeling that I carry with me and now share with my own children, except now it is not at the lake but at the ocean. My work comes from that place, those memories, that feeling.
Each time I look at the ocean, it is as if I see it for the first time. It is omnipresent and constantly changing and expressing itself in a new light.
My aim is to capture that connection with each piece and spark that recollection in the viewer.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."-Pablo Picasso
Art is life, and life is art.
All our emotions—grief, love, joy, and more—are expressed through art, giving witness to the human condition. It is a testimony to how we perceive the world. Creation is a fundamental aspect of our existence. It is primal and what connects us as humans. It serves as a holistic portal to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world.
My Portfolio
Like the flicker of a flame or the rhythmic roll of waves, each creation invites you into a story—a narrative woven with contrasts, depth, and natural harmony. At its core, this body of work reflects a profound connection between the creative and healing processes. Both are transformative journeys, taking what is fragmented and making it whole again.
Everything in existence is imbued with energy. Even in stillness, there is movement—an unseen vitality that inspires and informs these pieces.
Each work is meticulously crafted using semi-precious gemstones and natural treasures sourced from the sea. These elements are hand-placed within a bed of liquid resin, mixed with pigments drawn from the earth. This delicate alchemy creates a balance, amplifying the inherent energy of each material.
Rooted in the ancient art of energy healing, semi-precious stones and gems have long been used to harmonize the flow of Ki—the life force that courses through and surrounds all living things.
River stones, shaped by waters long past, carry the enduring energy of life and transformation. Seashells, nature's protectors, embody creativity and intuition, while sea glass, touched by the sun, moon, and tides, holds the ancient secrets of the sea within them.
This collection is a celebration of these energies, transformed into a visual medium that fosters connection and healing. Each piece invites you to explore its design and discover the balance, beauty, and vitality it offers.
Let this work serve as an invitation to experience the profound harmony that emerges when art, energy, and nature converge.
