'Colour, colour and colour! This is what I feel best describes my work. I feel this is a reflection of me and my personality! .I first discovered my style during University, at Southampton. It was here I was taught to express myself through vivid and vibrant scenes while also exploring how to pack my images full of features and people. After university I carried on with this style and I really feel I have brought my style and technique forward. I am always improving, but I feel right now I am enjoying my work so much, and I think it shows in each and every one of my images. Childrens books have had a great influence on my work aswell.

The child-like drawn people and bright colours add a sense of enjoyment to the image, and I just want my images to breed happiness and smiles. Every image I create is made with a passion and energy I feel that cannot be found just anywhere. I feel so lucky and priviliged to able to produce images like this for other people and the happiness they get by enjoying my images makes me proud to be an Illustrator.'

Bankside Hotel x Contemporary Collective are thrilled to welcome portrait painter Julie Bennett to the Makers’ Studio as their summer Artist in Residence. In the studio from 21st June through 1st August, Julie will create a series of portrait paintings inspired by art icons who have influenced or inspired the artist’s life and practice.

Julie’s #BanksideArtIcons series will include a combination of both historical and contemporary art icons, in addition to a photoshop composite of the collection of art icons produced throughout the residency as a limited edition print available through DegreeArt. Painting both the famous and not so famous art icons, Julie hopes to provide the viewer with an insight into the artists’ lives from an educational and engaging approach. Overall, Julie aims to introduce viewers to the unknown faces of so many well known names of so many iconic artists.

Read the press release here