Reston, September 23, 2025 — Julia Malakoff’s solo exhibition, The Poetry of Everyday Things, will be on view at Reston Art Gallery and Studios at Lake Anne Plaza from October 4 through 31, 2025.
Julia’s art is inspired by the ordinary things surrounding her daily life. Wildlife outside her studio window, a whimsical pink chair found in a thrift store, and dancing shadows cast by houseplants all capture her eye. “I delight in the satisfying balance of neutral colors against more vibrant hues,” she explains. She observes everything in a new light, capturing color, angle, shade, and detail on her canvas.
“Not confined to any one category or mood, my subjects in their original form range from classic beauty to quirky, from natural to man-made. Close observation reveals their essence as well as unexpected connections which then serve to inform my art,” states Malakoff.
Julia’s colorful art offers a joyful experience for viewers of all ages. Her work is primarily mixed media. She combines acrylic paints and oil pastels, often incorporating found and hand-painted papers—including pages from old, damaged books—as well as cardboard from shipping boxes, which she embeds in her work to create additional dimension and texture.
“Vases are a favorite everyday object, and I enjoy crafting vessels from my stash of cardboard, layering my paints and glazes to suggest a genuine ceramic surface,” she adds.
“Just as a poem employs selected language to convey its meaning, my art utilizes color, texture, line, and form to portray the unique essence of everyday objects in my life and their kinship to each other. Everyday things no longer appear ordinary and unrelated. Everyday things are my poetic musings,” she explains.
Artist reception:
Sunday, October 5, 2-4 PM
Reston Art Gallery and Studios
11400 Washington Plaza West # B
Reston, VA 20190
Reston Art Gallery and Studios is open Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM.