Welcome to my online art studio!

I’m an Australian-born, nature-inspired illustrator based in the Netherlands. I create both digital and watercolour story-book inspired illustrations that celebrate the natural world and the warmth of childhood nostalgia.

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A collage showing Julia Hope’s artistic journey from Australia to the Netherlands, featuring her whimsical watercolor art, nature-inspired illustrations, and creative workspace.

My Art Journey

I was born in Australia, where my childhood was spent surrounded by wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and a deep love for the natural world. When I was fifteen, my mother and I moved to Canada, and from there life became a journey across several countries - England, the Cayman Islands, the United States, and eventually the Netherlands, where I've finlly found a place I can call home.

Moving so often shaped me in ways I didn't fully understand. Each new place brought unfamiliar settings, but animals and nature were always a welcome constant. No matter where I lived, animals gave me a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Art became my way of holding onto that feeling. Through drawing and painting, I could recreate the warmth of places I loved and the quiet magic of the natural world.

I created these little animal illustrations for years, but for a long time I kept them to myself. They felt deeply personal - something that seemed almost too precious to share.

“With opportunity, the world is very interesting.”

- Beatrix Potter

I then found myself at a crossroads, uncertain of where I wanted my career to go. But, regardless of that uncertainty, I always found myself returning to art. Whenever I picked up an iPad to draw, I felt like I was coming out of hibernation, or perhaps returning home to something that had been patiently waiting for me.

Then one day, after finishing another illustration, I thought to myself: "What if I just... shared it this time?" What if someone else out there could possibly feel the same warmth and nostalgia that I do with these little characters?

That moment changed everything.

I quietly starting posting my work online, and to my surprise, people connected with it. They saw the same softness, the same love for animals and nature, and the same comforting nostalgia. It was at that point I realised that this wasn't just something I wanted to do and keep for myself - it was something I wanted to share with others.

Over time, I felt a gentle pull that became stronger over time - a pull toward the medium that first made me fall in love with art; watercolour. I always felt there was something magical about the way pigments moved through water and blended together, settling into the paper and creating unforeseen surprises (sometimes mistakes!) in a way only traditional painting can.

Returning to watercolour has reshaped the way I approach illustration. It invites a slower rhythm - one thjat encourages patience, observation, and a deeper connection to the natural world that inspires so much of my work.

Today, my creative process lives somewhere between these two worlds. Digital illustration allows me the freedom to refine my ideas and share my work easily, while traditional watercolour brings an organic warmth and spontaneity that continues to inspire me every time I pick up a brush.

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My Process & What Makes My Work Unique

Unlike most traditional watercolor artists, I also work digitally - but with a twist. My technique mimics the softness and fluidity of traditional watercolors, allowing me to blend the charm of classic illustration with the flexibility of digital tools. Having moved frequently throughout my life, I lost my physical art supplies more times than I can count, so I adapted. Now, my iPad allows me to create anywhere, at any time, without limitations.

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My Inspirations

  • My art is deeply inspired by the illustrated story books I grew up with and loved as a child — the works of Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne, and Jill Barklem. Like them, I aim to create worlds that feel inviting, peaceful, and full of quiet storytelling. Whether it’s a rabbit lost in thought, a badger curled up in a cozy burrow, or a scene of many woodland friends celebrating together, my work captures the small, beautiful moments that often go unnoticed.

  • Julia Hope holding her beloved bunny, a source of inspiration for her whimsical watercolor animal illustrations and nature-inspired art.

    At the heart of my inspiration are my two wonderful bunnies, Beatrix and Ori, who bring endless joy into my life. Watching them explore, interact, and show their unique personalities fuels my creativity in ways I never expected. Their presence reminds me daily why I love illustrating animals so much — they have a beauty, curiosity, and warmth that I always try to capture in my art.