Julie T. Chapman:
Capturing the Essence

We'll do some life drawing from nearby horses and longhorn cattle, and a variety of classroom projects from my VAST library of reference photos (including rodeo, horses, North American and African wildlife).

Our in-classroom work is designed to progress over the four days, so that we start with simple value studies and end with complex projects in color media. We'll also spend time on group and individual critiques of exercises and finished work, as well as general discussions of art, business, life, the universe, and everything.

The workshop is suitable for all levels of skill, and I encourage you to bring the color media of your choice. My instruction focuses on enhancing your understanding of and ability to depict animal anatomy and gesture. Every student who comes to my workshops sees improvement and growth over the course of the four days - which always makes me incredibly pleased! To get a flavor of what my workshops are like, read testimonials from past participants at www.julietchapman.com/Workshops.htm

Comments from Julie's past workshops:"I couldn't put a price on the progress I made in just 4 days."

"I gained more from these 4-day workshops than I did during a whole semester in college combined "

Biography: I grew up on a small family farm in central Ohio. My childhood instilled in me a deep love for critters – large, small, scaled, winged, whatever. What I wanted most was a horse; alas, it was unrequited love, which probably explains why I drew them obsessively. (After college, I finally was able to indulge my monomania and spent ten years training and riding dressage and jumping.) I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil, and have never stopped.

I spend a lot of time each year in pursuit of reference material; I’m very privileged to live close to some splendid wilderness and wildlife, and firsthand field experience is essential to getting the excitement and inspiration I want for a piece. Since moving to Montana, I’ve discovered small-town summertime rodeos and have become enamored of the color, action, and excitement – and it allows me to paint horses!

Lately, my work has evolved from straightforwardly representational to something with a more contemporary edge – I’m having fun playing with abstract backgrounds, sizzling streaks of color, and big loose brushwork and knifework. My influences have included masters such as Bob Kuhn, Carl Rungius, Richard Schmid and Wayne Thiebaud – and I’m also influenced by the wonderful artists who are painting today, such as Oleg Stavrowsky, Roy Anderson, and many others. I look forward to seeing where my work goes; art is not a destination, but a journey. What a privilege to be an artist!