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Paul Julian: The Magic of Airbrush
SummaryPaul Julian has always been drawn to art and colour. As a child he spent much of his time drawing and painting. Now he is recognised as an emerging creative talent in the art community as an airbrush painter. Born in Campbell’s Bay on Auckland’s North Shore, Paul’s family moved to Tauranga in 1978. 
Main Body
Paul Julian in his Tauranga studio.
After completing his schooling at Tauranga Boys' College, Paul then pursued a career in the trades and sales.
Throughout the years he always gravitated back to his love of art and the compelling need to express himself visually.
On a recent visit to Paul's home studio he gave me some insights into his artistic vision.
“The colour, form, lighting, and texture found in nature inspire me,” says Paul. "The human face is a wonderful example of nature's diverse beauty. Portraiture is particularly interesting with each face presenting a unique character and story."
“The more I learn about painting, both philosophically and practically, the more I realise how much there is yet to discover. The ongoing journey is an exciting one,” he explains.
Paul's primary form of creative expression has always been visual art. Over the years this artistic bent has led him on a continuing exploration of the techniques and skills required to improve his artwork. His work with the airbrush, covering a wide range of subjects, is painstaking and meticulous. Mastery of this form of painting takes long patient hours of practice and is becoming increasingly accepted among those who previously underrated its place alongside traditional painting methods.
“I love the magic of airbrush and it is the perfect compliment to the conventional brushwork I also use in my paintings,” he says.
Currently, portraiture is capturing Paul's imagination especially the work of C.F. Goldie. With his usual love and attention to detail, he has begun a series giving the famous painter's iconic Māori portraits a new and serious contemporary look. When I looked at these paintings I could 'feel' the moko etched into the famous Māori faces from the past.
“Each subject carries its own character and story and these new paintings pay homage to the work of Goldie and the importance of moko to the Māori culture,” says Paul.
Patara.1. acrylic on canvas.460mm x 360mm 2009.
Paul says, “The desire to create is a core human inclination. Be it cooking, gardening, engineering, or whatever each individual finds a sense of fulfillment when expressing themselves creatively. Art can inspire, evoke intense emotion, empower, uplift, and motivate the viewer.”
To see more of Paul's work contact him by email at paul.julian@xtra.co.nz
by Pete Morris (2011).
Pete Morris is an occasional painter and an art lover. He is a freelance writer with a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga.
This page archived at Perma CC in November of 2016: https://perma.cc/JBE5-95WZ
Main BodyPaul Julian in his Tauranga studio.
After completing his schooling at Tauranga Boys' College, Paul then pursued a career in the trades and sales.
Throughout the years he always gravitated back to his love of art and the compelling need to express himself visually.
On a recent visit to Paul's home studio he gave me some insights into his artistic vision.
“The colour, form, lighting, and texture found in nature inspire me,” says Paul. "The human face is a wonderful example of nature's diverse beauty. Portraiture is particularly interesting with each face presenting a unique character and story."
“The more I learn about painting, both philosophically and practically, the more I realise how much there is yet to discover. The ongoing journey is an exciting one,” he explains.
Paul's primary form of creative expression has always been visual art. Over the years this artistic bent has led him on a continuing exploration of the techniques and skills required to improve his artwork. His work with the airbrush, covering a wide range of subjects, is painstaking and meticulous. Mastery of this form of painting takes long patient hours of practice and is becoming increasingly accepted among those who previously underrated its place alongside traditional painting methods.
“I love the magic of airbrush and it is the perfect compliment to the conventional brushwork I also use in my paintings,” he says.
Currently, portraiture is capturing Paul's imagination especially the work of C.F. Goldie. With his usual love and attention to detail, he has begun a series giving the famous painter's iconic Māori portraits a new and serious contemporary look. When I looked at these paintings I could 'feel' the moko etched into the famous Māori faces from the past.
“Each subject carries its own character and story and these new paintings pay homage to the work of Goldie and the importance of moko to the Māori culture,” says Paul.
Patara.1. acrylic on canvas.460mm x 360mm 2009.
Paul says, “The desire to create is a core human inclination. Be it cooking, gardening, engineering, or whatever each individual finds a sense of fulfillment when expressing themselves creatively. Art can inspire, evoke intense emotion, empower, uplift, and motivate the viewer.”
To see more of Paul's work contact him by email at paul.julian@xtra.co.nz
by Pete Morris (2011).
Pete Morris is an occasional painter and an art lover. He is a freelance writer with a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga.
This page archived at Perma CC in November of 2016: https://perma.cc/JBE5-95WZ
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Pete Morris, Paul Julian: The Magic of Airbrush. Pae Korokī, accessed 02/08/2026, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/6163
