Artist Julie Hayes coming to Shen

Design Originals is hosting an art show featuring Shenandoah native, and artist, Julie Gowing Hayes.

The show, titled, “Natural Tendencies” will take place the weekend of Nov. 4, 5 at Design Originals in downtown Shenandoah.

Julie and Lori (Funk) Smith were classmates and are good friends. Additionally, Julie’s husband, Ron Hayes, was a next-door neighbor with Smith and her sister, Melinda Kirby, who own Design Original.

“We’re excited that she’s coming,” said Kirby, “She’s very talented.”

An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, followed by an art show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. Hayes will also be painting on a work in progress on Saturday.

Hayes said she has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. In fact, art class was her favorite class and her senior year, she spent at least half of her day in the art room.

“When I went to Iowa State I majored in fashion design, which allowed me to mix two of my favorite things:  art and sewing.  After a 20-year hiatus from art while juggling career and family, I received my degree in Studio Art at Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C.,” said Hayes.

In addition to her art business, Hayes is a technical design consultant currently contracted with Hanesbrand, Inc. working in seamless intimate apparel. She is also the co-founder of the Piedmont Outdoor Painting Society.

When it comes to painting, Hayes said she enjoys working mostly in oil and watercolor. As for what she enjoys painting the most, Hayes explained it is landscapes from life.

“I find that photos just do not do justice to the light and color that I can see when I’m on location.   I’m also drawn to flowers, fruit and dogs.  For me, with the dogs, it’s about the eyes.”

Hayes said she paints in oil for both her plein air and studio work, although she does use watercolor exclusively for studio work.

 “Oil is much more forgiving than watercolor, but the approach is almost opposite - with oil I work from dark to light and with watercolor light to dark, which at times can be confusing when switching from one medium to the other.”

Although oil paint is not as easy to travel with as watercolor, it allows more flexibility to adjust a composition in process whereas watercolor doesn’t.

“I also like the textural quality of oil paint.”

While at Design Originals, Hayes will have numerous paintings on display for sale. She will also be doing demonstrations. Part of the proceeds from the sale of art will be donated to the Shenandoah High School Art Department.

Julie and Ron have two children, Jarrod, and Jeff. Julie is the daughter of Jack and Pauline Gowing of Bella Vista, Ark., and formerly of Shenandoah. Ron is the son of Lue (Rex) Hickman of Shenandoah and the late George Hayes of Shenandoah.