Charleston Through an Artist’s Eye

For Charleston artist Julie Byrd Diana, creativity isn’t something she discovered later in life—it has always been there. “I’ve been doing creative projects my whole life,” she says. “Even as a child, I would create artwork in my room with construction paper, markers, and crayons.”

Today, Byrd Diana works mainly across two mediums—painting and photography—capturing the beauty and character of the Lowcountry. “When I see a moment of beauty in my environment, my mind immediately goes into creative mode: ‘That’s so amazing,’ or ‘that’s a unique perspective,’” she says, “whether it’s a historic building in Charleston or just a beautiful sunset on the marsh.” Sometimes she captures these moments with her camera; other times, she brings the images back to her studio as a spark for a painting. “I’ve always got my eye out for an inspirational moment,” she says. “I am driven to create either through photography or by transferring the image I’ve captured into paint on the canvas.”

From Lens to Canvas

Photography and painting often intersect in Byrd Diana’s work, though not always in the same way. “Occasionally, I’ll see something in nature or architecture, and I’ll capture it through my lens,” she says. “Sometimes I feel like it’s more impactful in a black and white photograph than it would be on the canvas. Other times, a photograph becomes the foundation for a painting.”

One recent example is a painting titled “Carolina Gold,” inspired by a sunset scene of two shrimp trawlers that she photographed while sailing through Charleston waterways—what she calls, “Lowcountry to a Tee.” “It rallies my creative spirit,” she says of scenes like these that deeply resonate.

The Texture of a Painting

While her photography often leans toward striking black-and-white imagery, Byrd Diana’s paintings are known for their bold colors and thick textures. Her signature method uses an impasto technique—layering a mix of heavy body acrylic paint and gel mediums so the paint actually rises from the canvas.

Instead of relying solely on brushes, she often paints with palette knives, creating movement and dimension with thick, 

butter-like acrylic paint. “I use a lot of paint,” Byrd Diana says. “It’s not spread thin. It’s very thick and textured with vibrant colors and energy throughout each piece. She notes that when you stand up close to one of her paintings, it’s almost abstract in appearance. “And then you step back a few feet, and it comes together beautifully.”

Charleston as Inspiration

Charleston itself is deeply woven into Byrd Diana’s work—from marsh sunsets and shrimp boats to historic architecture. “Charleston has so many facets,” she says. “There is a vibe that you can feel. It’s full of energy, emotion, and storied history.”

One subject that continues to draw her attention is the iconic Pink House on Chalmers Street. “In the last 12 months, I’ve created three different versions of it,” she says. “It’s iconic Charleston, with age, story, and architectural style.”

Capturing a Moment

For Byrd Diana, photography and painting ultimately come down to one idea: “A snapshot in time transferred into a photographic print or painting.” Her photography carries its own aesthetic, often defined by dramatic contrasts and unique vantage points, while her painting style speaks for itself with intensity, texture, and technique.

She gravitates toward monochromatic imagery when taking photographs. “I feel like it carries more of an emotional, moody impact,” she says. Cloud formations, storms, and shifting skies frequently influence her timing. Photographing just after rainstorms is one of her favorite moments to capture.

What’s on the Horizon

The coming months promise a busy season. She’s the featured artist at the Charleston Artist Guild in May, where she will debut an exhibition titled “Coastal Colors.” The show will feature Lowcountry subjects, including a trio of lighthouse paintings: Hunting Island, Morris Island, and Sullivan’s Island. “It’s a triptych: when you place all three paintings side by side, they become one scene, with the sunset in the background of each painting, tying them together.”

Beyond the exhibition, Byrd Diana continues to expand her work through local galleries and exhibitions. She is also part of the artist collective at Look Up Charleston, a new gallery on Meeting Street.

In addition to these paintings and photography, Julie also creates fun, giftable items such as tea towels, hand-painted ornaments, mini paintings, coasters, and cards. 

Learn more at: byrdonthewall.com and follow @byrdonthewall, or to reach Julie, email her at: julie@byrdonthewall.com