Julia McFarland, former owner of JMGA Creative, was a graphic designer for 34 years, receiving her AAS degree in 1984 in Advertising, Design and Commercial Art from St. Louis Community College in Florissant Valley. Working first for Allen Advertising Agency then West County Typesetting in the St. Louis area, Julia branched out on her own in 1991, starting a graphic design business partnership with a college friend. Six years later, she opened her own design studio, JM Graphic Arts, Inc., (also known as JMGA Creative) which grew over the years to employ two additional full time artists before Julia’s eventual retirement in 2018.

Since retiring, Julia spends most of her free time drawing. Starting with graphite pencils and now expanding to colored pencils, pastels, PanPastels and watercolor pencils, her specific passion has been pet and people portraiture.

Most recently Julia has been exploring wildlife portraiture. “God speaks to us in many ways”, says Julia. “When I look at the wildlife around me I see God’s power, wisdom, whimsy and incredible creativity. God whispers reminders of His Truth to me through His creatures and His creation, so it seems natural to me to incorporate those whispers into my drawings.”

So Julia is now adding “Wildlife Whispers” to her portfolio and giclee prints of these pieces are available for purchase. For more information on her Wildlife Whispers prints or portrait commissions, fill out the form on her contact page.

Julia is a juried member of the Oxford Artist Guild in Oxford, Mississippi and a juried member of the Greater St. Louis Artists (GSLA) in St. Louis, Missouri.