Artist Statement

My oil paintings usually begin much like the classic grisaille, with a tonal wash and 'rub out', to obtain the proper values for the work before adding many thin layers of color, as I progress to the final layer of paint. The grisaille process was invented by the 'old masters' hundreds of year ago and has proved to be a valuable tool to getting a painting off to a good start by defining all the tonal values that I want to appear in the finished work. My work includes a wide variety of subjects including landscapes, seascapes, harbors and boats, food & floral still life, tropical fantasy, sunsets and moonlight and island life.

My work ranges in size from small 5" x 7" miniatures up to 36" x 48" and each work can take from three weeks to several months to complete. I try to create my work to reflect my philosophy of life and bring forth a message of peace, tranquility and awareness of the endless beauty nature provides each day. Once a painting is complete and fully dry, some original oils are produced as museum quality fine art giclee reproductions on canvas a top notch giclee production company. When the initial proof process is completed and I have approved the final product, the work is ready to go in to production. The print collection features signed and numbered limited editions, some in two sizes. Giclee prints on canvas have become the most popular form of fine art reproduction and provide the art collector with a quality piece of art that will last for many years. All giclees can be shipped rolled or stretched and feature 'gallery wrap,' so framing is not necessary, unless desired.

Artist Bio

Julie's first painting, a still life with fruit, painted at the age of twelve, hung on her mother's wall for many years and still remains in the family. She received awards for her work as a young teenager. Julie's school years were devoted to regular studies, as well as many dedicated hours at the piano. Then came married life, making the tasks of wife and mother her primary concern until the boys were college age and she could devote more time to other interests.

Many years passed before Julie picked up a brush in 1997, and began to paint again. Her husband encouraged her to enter her "Lahaina Aloha" 30 x 40 oil painting in the 1998 Annual Lahaina Poster Contest. She knew she was on the right track when the painting won the "People's Choice" award, as she had only completed a couple of paintings before tackling the large painting.
As a self taught artist, she considers her talent a very special gift. Her work is now enjoyed not only in Hawaii and the U S mainland, but worldwide, including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, throughout Europe and South America, as well as the South Pacific islands of Tahiti, Tonga, Moorea, Fiji and Micronesia.

Julie and her husband have been married over 50 years and have made Maui their home for the past thirty one years. Julie has had her own gallery/studio for over ten years located in the Lahaina Cannery Mall in Lahaina, Maui, however, she also paints in her studio area at home just a few feet from the ocean. Her view also includes the islands of Molokai and Lanai, as well as tropical foliage, palm trees and sailboats. Sunsets are truly dramatic. Maui has many places, such as the 'old whaling town' of Lahaina, that have lots of old tropical character and charm. Unfortunately, many of these quaint areas are beginning to disappear with time and "progress", so she devotes part of her painting time to capturing island scenery that will likely be gone in the future.

It is not uncommon for Julie to be working on as many as three or four paintings during her day, as she usually has several paintings in different stages of completion in order to best utilize her time. Most of her days are spent at her easel producing work that includes landscapes, seascapes, harbors and boats, tropical fantasy and moonlight, brilliant sunsets, and Hawaiian and Pacific Island culture, as well as a wide variety of still life work. Many of her still life paintings feature pieces from her antique Oriental blue and white porcelain pieces and other interesting collectibles from the past. She finds it impossible to limit herself to one subject matter and strives to bring forth a feeling of peaceful energy and a 'oneness' with nature in her work, thus offering a bit of visual poetry for the viewer.
The spiritual and cultural richness of Maui provides a wealth of inspiration. She also tries to give herself some piano time to play a bit of Bach, Mozart or other favorite composers during her breaks from the easel when painting at home. During her painting sessions, she listens to her favorite classical music, since she feels music elevates one's creative mood and brush strokes, and helps her achieve the finished work of art.