JULIA BREVETTI: The Therapeutic Effect of Art, Alcohol Bottle Series And Staying True to Her Style

Julia Brevetti is a Canadian artist working in realism and pop art, known for her “Vintage Cars” series previously featured by Drive Music Media, is now creating a new painting collection featuring various liquor bottles. The series has already gained recognition on social media, which earned her a spot in a group exhibition featuring the iconic liquor brand Campari.

The story of this collection begins with Julia’s family, who have been collecting bottles for many years.

In addition, Julia released a rather unusual collection for her style — a series of skull paintings. This body of work carries a therapeutic meaning for the artist, as through the prism of art she portrayed the “death” of another version of herself.

Julia shared with Drive Music Media about her new liquor bottle series and the skull painting collection.

Interviewer: It’s been six months since our interview… Could you tell us which projects you’ve completed during this time and what you’ve focused on the most?

Julia: Since we last spoke, I’ve completed five original commissioned paintings for the newly opened 24,000 sq. ft. restaurant Queens Harbour in Toronto. I also completed an artist residency at the luxury hotel Pendry in West Hollywood, California. During this time, my social media presence has skyrocketed, amassing over 85 million views, which has led to my artworks being sold worldwide.

While a significant portion of my time was dedicated to commissioned work, my primary focus recently has been developing a new collection of paintings featuring luxury liquor bottles — a series that has quickly become one of my most popular projects to date.

Interviewer: You are currently working on a new series of paintings dedicated to alcohol bottles. Which painting was the first in this series, and what inspired such an unusual choice?

Julia: The first painting in the collection was of an Aperol Spritz bottle, which went viral on social media, gaining over 5 million views in a single week. I’ve always seen artwork inspired by Aperol and other iconic alcohol bottles, so I decided to experiment with my own signature style. The combination of my abstract square motifs with the bold, recognizable shape of the bottle worked beautifully — and that piece became the spark that launched the entire series.

Interviewer: Tell us about the group exhibition dedicated to the iconic liquor brand Campari. How did you receive the invitation, and what has the preparation process been like?

Julia: I was invited by a fellow artist who runs the gallery where the exhibition will be hosted. The preparation process has been incredibly exciting — I’ve always admired the vintage Campari posters, and this exhibition gave me the perfect opportunity to create my own interpretation. It has been a fun challenge to stay true to my style while honoring such an iconic brand.

Interviewer: Which painting from the series that you’ve already completed appeals to you the most, and why?

Julia: My Clase Azul bottle painting is probably my favorite so far. The bottle itself is a piece of art — my family has collected them for years, so it carries a personal meaning for me. Its detailed design and striking colors remind me of a beautiful mosaic wall. While I love all the bottles I’ve painted, this one feels especially special.

Interviewer: Can you tell us about your skull series? It’s very different from all your other paintings. What inspired it?

Julia: I grew up with OCD and often struggled with the concept of death, so the skull series became a form of exposure therapy — a way to face that fear head-on. The series ranges from hyper-realistic depictions to playful, pop-art and street-style interpretations.

Each skull represents the symbolic “death” of a different version of myself. I’ve always found it difficult to let go of my childhood, but I’ve learned that as we grow, we experience many small “deaths” as we continue to reinvent ourselves. This series reflects that ongoing process of transformation.

Interviewer: Do you plan to make any adjustments to your technique, or are you now fully moving in this direction?

Julia: I will always continue to evolve my technique and style. Even in the short time since our last interview, my work has developed in noticeable ways. While there will always be a signature consistency to my brand, I’m committed to exploring new approaches and continuing to grow as an artist.

Interviewer: What was your initial reaction to the success of your new painting series? Did you expect this collection to become so successful?

Julia: I had a feeling from the beginning that this collection would resonate. Its universal appeal makes it easy for a wide audience to connect with. The response has been incredible — the Aperol painting sold within one day of posting, and I’ve since received countless requests for custom pieces.

This has become my most successful collection to date, and I’m excited to keep developing it and seeing how far it can go.

Pictures were provided by Julia Brevetti