July on the Moon
A St Barth watercolor studio where island memories become framable art
Why Go
Tucked in the sleepy hills above Grande Saline, this one-woman studio is where you commission the souvenir you'll actually keep — a hand-painted watercolor of the villa you rented, the beach you got engaged on, or a bespoke logo for the boat you just named.
The Experience
July on the Moon is the working studio of Julie, a French-trained web designer, illustrator and photographer who has built a cult following on the island for her airy watercolor scenes of Saint-Barth — Gustavia rooftops, Saline dunes, hibiscus, sailboats, colonial cases. It's not a walk-in boutique in the Gustavia sense; it's a by-appointment creative atelier where locals order wedding stationery, yacht crews commission custom crew shirts and boat portraits, villa owners get their properties illustrated, and travelers order small watercolor prints to take home. Everything is drawn by hand in the studio and then either framed on the spot or shipped worldwide, so you leave with something no other visitor to the island has. Julie also runs the Moon St Barth watercolor print shop out of the same space, so you can browse ready-to-buy pieces if you don't have time to commission.
What to Try
Commission a custom watercolor of your villa, your sailboat or the exact stretch of Saline where you spent the week — turnaround is usually a few days, and she'll ship globally in a rigid tube. If you're getting married on the island, ask about the full wedding suite (save-the-dates, menus, seating charts, thank-you cards) in matching hand-painted style. Short on time? Grab a signed A4 or A3 island print, a set of Saint-Barth postcards, or one of the small illustrated maps of the island — they slide flat into a carry-on and beat every T-shirt in Gustavia as a gift.
Insider Tip
DM her on Instagram before you fly in rather than emailing cold — she's a solo studio and books up fast in high season, especially December, February and around wedding weekends. If you want a commissioned piece to take home, brief her on day one of your trip with a couple of your own photos of the subject; she'll usually have a proof ready before you leave, and can hand you the finished, mounted piece the morning of your flight.
The Practical Stuff
Located in Grande Saline on the quiet south side of the island, about 10 minutes by car from Gustavia and 5 minutes from Saline beach. Studio visits and consultations are by appointment only — this isn't a drop-in retail shop. Services span web design, brand identity, illustration and photography, all handled in French and English. Payment by card or bank transfer; worldwide shipping available for prints and originals. Combine your visit with a Saline beach afternoon since you're already on that side of the island.
Pair It With
- Grande Saline Beach — The wild, undeveloped beach a five-minute drive from the studio — and the subject of many of Julie's best-selling watercolors, so you can see the scene in person before you commission it.
- Abyss Restaurant Guide — An easy lunch or dinner nearby to bookend a studio visit on the Saline side of the island.
- 6e SENS Massage — Pair a creative errand with a spa treatment for a slow, non-beach afternoon away from the Gustavia crowds.
- 1493 Lodges St Barth Guide — A quiet Colombier stay whose guests frequently commission Julie for villa portraits and personalized welcome gifts.
