InBluem Series: Julia Vanderbyl
WATCH JULIA'S INBLUEM SERIES
"My name is Julia and this is me INBLUEM.
I am an artist, author, and environmental filmmaker.
To me being INBLUEM means to care for yourself as an extension of the earth, and the earth as an extension of yourself.
When I create, I try to give and take with the same inherent reciprocity of the natural world.
As a bee pollinates while receiving nectar for the hive, I view my strokes as gestures of care to myself and to the landscape.
Each painting I create, each film, harvest, and meal, every act of tending the land and myself, planting trees, caring for animals—they are all a love song for the earth.
I see art in every aspect of my day; in every sunrise and simple moment of stillness, and I use this endless creativity as a vessel for change.
This is what it means to be INBLUEM, it is to witness the extraordinary resilience of nature, and see that same capacity to heal within ourselves."
We are so honoured and grateful to have had the opportunity for Julia to capture this beautiful piece for us. Both she and her sister Anastasia have been huge inspirations to us at INBLUEM. Their devotion to the earth, their creativity, and the way they weave nature into every facet of their work deeply resonates with our own mission. It’s a privilege to witness their journey and to collaborate with someone who truly embodies the essence of what we stand for.
On their family's regenerative farm nestled on Bundjalung Country, Julia and Anastasia are cultivating more than just crops. Their platform, Mother the Mountain, is a testament to the healing power of nature and the deep wisdom found in returning to the land. In restoring the rainforest and working alongside animals, they remind us of the delicate balance that exists in nature; a balance that can only be maintained through care, patience, and love.
Julia’s art is an extension of this practice, a reflection of her deep communion with the land. Her paintings, which often merge the human form with the landscape, capture this intimate relationship between the self and the environment. Every brushstroke tells a story - of seasons changing, shadows dancing across hillsides, and the quiet moments of beauty that exist when we slow down enough to notice them. There is a quiet strength in Julia’s approach to life and art, one that is informed by both her love for the earth and her own personal journey. Living with chronic illness, Julia has learned to listen deeply—to her body, to the land, to the animals she cares for. It’s in these moments of stillness that she finds her greatest inspiration.
To be INBLUEM is not just a state of being; it’s an invitation to witness the beauty in every moment, to honour the earth as we honour ourselves, and to trust in the inherent wisdom of nature’s cycles. Julia’s story reminds us that there is extraordinary power in slowing down, in creating with intention, and in recognising that we are not separate from nature, but a part of it.
Mother the Mountain: The Art of Living with Nature by Julia and Anastasia Vanderbyl is a beautifully written and visually captivating exploration of regenerative living. Rooted in their personal journey of caring for a rainforest in the Byron Bay Hinterland, this book weaves together stories of resilience, healing, and the deep connection between humans and the natural world. Through stunning photography, art, and heartfelt writing, Julia and Anastasia share how the cycles of nature mirror the cycles within ourselves. It's a story of hope and inspiration for anyone looking to reconnect with the earth and live a life of intention and harmony.
If you’re curious about living in sync with nature or simply seeking inspiration for a more regenerative way of being, Mother the Mountain is an intimate invitation to explore those connections.
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