Let me tell you a little bit about me: My real name is Julianne, but I have always been called Julie and that suits me just fine. When I was young and people asked me where I found something that I had created I said, "Julie's of California". I'm still Julie, but "Julianne's of California" is my handle now.

My studio is located in 2 places. I have a studio in my basement which used to be the only studio before the budget crunch in California. While teaching at the Community College in our town I worked out of my home studio. Then I founded Juliart School in Northern California a little over a year ago. I teach and create there. It's a place to learn, expand, explore, relate, identify, inspire, meet, work and play. It's the least expensive therapy around. I love it! My students are fantastic! I do many demonstrations so have a lot of art to share.

My sister has been trying to get me on artfire since she joined. She is "SilverMoonGalleria". She is doing well and I'm a newby!

I especially enjoy the Northern California setting where I was born and now live. It is here I expect the unexpected, the awe inspiring and to be joy-filled with my surroundings. Nature and life have sculpted my creativity and character. The Mt. Shasta area inspires the soul with its spectacular vistas. Creativity abounds here.

I have taught over 2 decades for the University of Reno, South Campus and the College of the Siskiyous. It is an honor that hundreds have taken classes from me. Many have gone on to open businesses of their own with success. I am in demand as an instructor and am told that my expertise and flexibility is evident. My work is primarily realistic reflecting my vision and insight for color, style and placement.

The thing that defines me is an inner art vision that translates into color, texture, light and shadow in oils, water colors, acrylics, clay, glass, florals or metals. I have a love of learning combined with determination. This causes me to experiment with new techniques and media so that I can pass it on. I especially enjoy rendering human or animal life in nature. Teaching has always taken the cake, but the icing is creating!

At a very early age, my claim to fame was sculpting mud and hair that had shampoo in it. I went on to sculpt soap, pumice, wire, chicken wire, papier-mache, and different types of clay. Nowadays besides working with river clay I work with metal clays and glass and continue to love the simple pleasures of sculpting with my grandkids by making play dough and passing on the joy of art and loving relationships with them.

I learned my mediums mostly by determination combined with the desire to learn and explore. Many people have nurtured and developed my art over the years beginning with my Mom who recognized my desire to create by giving me tools and materials so I could develop my art interest. Then there was my Dad who inspired me by his steady life. He's a down to earth man, working with his hands, tilling the garden, finding ways to help and give hope. He was a builder and I watched and learned to become a difference-maker like my Dad.

There were many teachers who challenged me with art projects. I will never forget Mrs. Bluebird, my second grade teacher who asked me to do all the bulletin boards as well as draw colored chalk seasonal scenes on the chalk boards.

The variety of art I experienced was alluring; from papier-mache animals for the children's home to 2-Dimensional maps with mountains, rivers and cities. I loved Sunday School and Vacation Bible School where there were always art projects to do.

In my 4 years of High School I took every class possible from Miss Hart, a grand artist and teacher, who not only taught me much, but left me with the desire to continue the love of learning, developing and refining my art

During college I had several art professors, but I took classes from my favorite professor in Oil Painting and clay every year. He was Del Gish, now a sought after American Artist. It's a bit of a funny story, but I can remember the exact time that I became a professional artist. During one of my college classes I told my teacher of my longing to be an artist. He told me that when I began selling my work that I would be a professional.

I promptly went and sold a piece for five dollars, returning with a smile to let him know that I had become a professional artist overnight :D

Learning for me never stops. I've taken and given many classes. Now I've taken the next step. I am working on getting my art out there on ArtFire; I have much to learn but find it a challenge I look forward to.

I hope you will find me at juliannesofcalifornia.artfire.com and tell me your story.