We Partnered with A Local Minnesota Artist to Launch An Exclusive Plus-Size Clothing Collection

At JunoActive, we believe that connection and collaboration brings joy and happiness. So we teamed up with local artist Julie Delton to create our first Designer Collection Series. Anne Kelly, JunoActive Founder and President, sat down with Julie for coffee to learn more about her art and inspiration. 

Anne: Julie, your artwork is lovely. Thank you for being our first artist in the new series for us. Where did you study art?

Julie: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a concentration in drawing and painting from the same college you attended, Anne, St Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN. I graduated in 1982. Then from 1986 to 1989, I did a program in Illustrative Arts at the City and Guilds of London Art School. The tutors were all working artists in fields from decorative arts to painting, to even restoration. It was really great because they would have us do projects based on the jobs they were working on. There was a real focus on not only learning your art but how to make a living at it. 

Anne: We loved the artwork you sent to us. Can you tell us a bit about your approach?

Julie: I like to use objects, like animals, small scenes, and even furniture, and reduce them to colors, shapes, and textures. Flattening them so they are still realistic, but more abstract. I use my background in block printing and engraving sometimes, as I enjoy the happy accidents that happen in the process and incorporate that into the art. I also love the interplay of negative and positive space.

Anne: Does your art have a story behind it?

Julie: What I enjoy is images that elicit memories in the viewer, like a small house in the scene, or an animal that recalls a memory of a visit or a trip or a person. I don’t make my images too realistic or detailed, in order to leave something up to the imagination.

Anne: Color is a huge part of your art.

Julie: Yes, I like using and playing and juxtaposing them to get the composition just right. I often use paper to test out colors and textures before moving to the canvas or the masonite board I’m painting on. Those papers are often incorporated into the final piece using a collage technique. I like that feeling of working in two layers at a time. I don’t use printed imagery from magazines, but create it myself. I keep my “scraps” to use in pieces later. Some things I’ve had for 30 years! I don’t throw much away. 

Anne: What about technology?

Julie: I certainly have used technology to streamline the business side of my work and occasionally to adjust color, but my work is done by hand. I love the feel of the brush in my hand putting paint on a surface. I like to see human artwork. Depending on the context, digital images can seem cold and detached. I like the connection. 

Anne: What kind of art are you doing these days?

Julie: I’m accepting commercial illustration commissions. I also enjoy turning some of my favorite paintings into other formats, like cards and small prints. Lately, I’ve been working on developing my sketches from recent travels in Greece. 

Anne: Sounds interesting! I’ll check it out in your online portfolio. Thanks, Julie!

Artist Biography: 

Julie Delton received her BA in Studio Art from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an additional diploma in Illustrative Arts from the City & Guilds of London Art School in England. Since 1989 she has worked as a freelance illustrator, providing artwork for editorial clients (most notably The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker), design firms, ad agencies, and private collectors. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Julie’s artwork can be found online at juliedelton.weebly.com 

Shop our all NEW Designer Collection Series! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 🧡 We are proud to add joy and happiness to your Active. Life. Style! 🧡