Sparking Joy: A Conversation with Julia Tooley, Artist

Discovering and harnessing joy in our daily lives is where the magic of the everyday happens — when we recognise that these are the good days, or remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

For this conversation, we met with artist Julia Tooley. Working in gouache, Julia’s work is all about capturing a moment while taking the time to appreciate the finer details of everyday life — how steam rises from the first cup of coffee, or the memory of the buttery crumb of a much-loved French patisserie treat.

Julia Tooley is a freelance, self-taught artist with a passion for still life, particularly food. A visit to her website and you’ll be instantly enthralled: a trio of doughnuts (with sprinkles — of course!), strawberries that taste of warm, sunny days, and paintings of our local city, Norwich, caught in moments of glorious light.

When we sat down for a cup of coffee in the beautiful grounds of Norwich Cathedral, Julia shared her story — from a career firmly rooted in the business world of London to the joy she now finds in running workshops and classes, sharing the medium of gouache with everyone from complete beginners to seasoned creatives.

So don your messy clothes and get ready to hear all about Julia, the joy she finds in her artwork, and the people she meets along the way.

Your work celebrates the beauty of everyday objects including coffee cups, croissants, books, simple moments. What is it about the ordinary that sparks joy for you?

I think we all need to take a bit more from everyday objects. Especially now, in the age of social media, we’re so used to things being fast, jazzy and impressive. We forget how to appreciate the smaller things that most of us have the opportunity to enjoy every single day.

For me, that might be the first coffee of the morning; usually once the children have left the house and it’s quiet. Taking a moment to notice the foam on the top, the reflections on the teaspoon, the way the light hits the ceramic mug and the shadow it casts. It sounds silly, and people often say they don’t have time for that but it is about being present in the moment. 

We talk a lot about mindfulness, but I don’t think many of us actually practise it. My painting is almost a form of that: slowing down, being present, really seeing. I’m only painting what’s there and if someone can find joy in those details, either through my work or in real life, then that feels really meaningful.

Do you think joy can be subtle rather than loud?

Absolutely. When we think of joy, we often imagine the big moments - surprises, celebrations, incredible experiences. But there’s also joy in everyday contentment. A quieter, more subtle joy that’s closely linked to mindfulness.

That’s what I hope my paintings convey. They’re never going to shout at you. Some of those who have purchased my work have later told me that it brings them a daily moment of quiet joy - it makes them pause and smile. That’s such a privilege. To have that kind of gentle, ongoing presence in someone’s life is the best part of what I do.

Food appears again and again in your work. Why do you think people connect so strongly with it especially things like croissants?

People love the croissants. I’ve sold nearly every croissant painting I’ve ever made… so clearly I need to paint more of them.

I think food is tied to shared moments and memories. Croissants feel special: Sunday mornings, holidays, time with family. They’re not just food; they represent slowing down, treating yourself, being present.

Visually, they’re also a joy to paint. The layers, the textures, the colours, all the way through from golden yellows through to deep browns. I always start with a single layer of colour, mapping out shapes and shadows, then build up layer after layer. One of the most joyful moments in the process is right at the end, adding the tiny highlights… the little glints of light that suddenly make everything come alive.

Light plays a huge role in your work. What does it represent for you creatively?

Light is everything. It’s warmth, comfort, stillness and timing. I take some of my own reference photographs, and there are days when I’ll think, Today’s a photograph day, because the light is just right.

I’m drawn to moments where the light transforms something familiar. A street you’ve walked down hundreds of times suddenly feels different. That’s what I love about painting Norwich; people recognise the places, but they’re seeing them in a new way, often tied to a memory of their own.

Gouache really lends itself to that too. It’s vibrant, but it dries to this soft, velvety finish. You can push contrast without it becoming harsh. I like to think of it as a kind of subtle drama.

Though I try to take my own reference photos where I can as it gives me a deeper appreciation and understanding on the subject, I also sometimes see a photo online (there are some brilliant stock photography sites as well as subscription-based sites where you can access some incredible photography) which really calls to me. When it comes to painting wildlife, there are some amazing photographers who are willing to allow others to use their photos for art references and I know I will never be able to get the shots they do.

As a self-taught artist, your journey has been very personal. What moments have brought you the most joy along the way?

Honestly, people connecting with my work. Seeing someone stop, linger, and really look. Or hearing someone say they want to take a painting home; that’s the best feeling in the world.

Art fairs like Art Fair East are incredibly special because you get to meet people face to face. You hear their stories, you see their reactions, you understand what the work means to them. That connection is everything to me.

I think artists doubt themselves constantly - am I painting the right thing, using the right medium, pricing correctly? After that weekend of Art Fair East, I came away thinking: I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. Not everyone will like your work, and that’s okay. The people who love it really love it and that’s enough.

Your process sounds joyful, but also challenging. Is there a part of painting you find most difficult?

There’s a stage I call the bin stage. It’s the point where the painting looks like it might be destined for the bin. You’ve done the first layer, it looks okay from a distance, but up close it’s flat and messy. You’re staring at it thinking, What do I do next?

That’s where self-doubt creeps in. My top tip is music and singing. If I sing along to something I know really well, it somehow takes the pressure off. You’re still focused, but you’re not overthinking. It helps me push through.

The reward comes at the end, when you add those final details - highlights in the eyes, glints of light, tiny moments that bring it all together. That’s pure joy.

Beyond painting, where else do you find joy? 

Music plays a huge role in my life. We’re a very musical household - piano, cello, singing - and there’s always music on. I love cooking when I have time, walking our golden retriever Monty, and spending time in the marshes near where I live.

What I love most is noticing the seasons change. Walking the same path each week and seeing how different it feels with winter light, spring buds, summer warmth. That sense of noticing and appreciating carries through into everything I do.

Why do you think making art - and engaging with art - still matters so much today?

Because it’s human. You can feel the love, the time, the dedication that’s gone into a piece of work. When someone takes art into their home, they’re taking a little piece of the artist with them too.

That connection - between maker and viewer - is incredibly powerful. It reminds us to slow down, to look closely, to find joy in what’s already around us. And I think we all need a bit more of that.

For Julia, joy isn’t just in the finished painting, it’s in every layer, every detail, and every moment of connection along the way. From the quiet magic of a morning coffee to the shared smiles her work inspires, she reminds us that celebrating the everyday is just as important as the extraordinary. Julia’s art invites us to pause, notice, and take delight in life’s little moments. And in doing so, she sparks joy not just on the page, but in all of us who get to experience it.