Art That Invites You to Pause

Hi! I'm Julie, the artist behind Julie Crisan Art. I'm a mixed-media artist based in Braga, Portugal creating original work that ranges from abstract to folk-inspired pieces. I especially enjoy incorporating texture, which brings depth, movement and interest to my art.

I also offer "De-stress with Art" a creative experience that invites participants to use art as a way to relax, explore their creativity and express themselves, without judgment or pressure.

I was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New York and settled in Atlanta, Georgia, for nearly thirty years before making Portugal my new home. During the pandemic, I decided it was time to leave my corporate career and focus on what I loved most: making art. Some called me brave, others called me crazy, but I did it anyway.

So here I am in beautiful Portugal, painting, exploring and meeting wonderful people along the way.

As a contemporary mixed-media artist, I create work that blends folk-inspired imagery, abstraction and expressive storytelling. Through layered textures, vibrant colors and symbolic forms, I explore the balance between strength and tenderness, moments of calm within chaos and the unspoken language of human connection.

Working intuitively, I combine contrasting materials and techniques, from fluid acrylics and watercolor effects to plaster, molding paste, pastel and expressive linework. I build, scrape, layer, and reveal the surface, allowing each piece to develope its own history and emotional depth.

Inspired by nature, memory and everyday moments of reflection, I create art that invites viewers to slow down, look a little closer, and rediscover a sense of presence.

Meet Julie

My Artistic Practice