Julia Ousley knew at an early age she wanted to be an artist but her path there was long and winding. She first sought a more practical and “expected” career, after receiving a B.S. from Baylor University, in the medical field. She later obtained her M.Arch from University of Texas and moved into the “practical art” of architecture. After years of success in that field, yet still yearning to create art, she returned to school where she received an M.F.A. from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, and permanently moved to full-time sculpture. Ousley maintains studios in Dallas, primarily, and New York City.

Photo courtesy of Kolanowski Studio

Ousley’s sculpture on the esplanade of the 1600 block of Heights Boulevard, “Onward and Upward,” depicting human figures on towers, is made of CorTen steel. Ousley says, “The themes I most often explore are of the human body, the human condition and nature or the built environment. I am particularly interested in that place where they intersect, and my work is frequently marked with architectural as well as human symbols and signifiers.” She says “‘Onward and Upward’ represents ‘everyman’ on a pedestal, rather than the single hero figure.”

Photo courtesy of Kolanowski Studio

True North 2021 will remain in place through mid-December, and most sculptures are offered for sale by the artists, who have agreed to donate 20% of any sales back to the sculpture project. Stay up with the latest True North happenings by liking us on Facebook @TrueNorthHeightsBlvd and following us on Instagram @truenorthheightsblvd. You may contact our committee at boulevardart@houstonheights.org. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Kolanowski Studio