BACKGROUND

Hello! I’m Julie Scandora, creator of fine art, painter of big skies, and shaper of scenes to soothe the soul. I’ve been creating winning works of art since second grade when I cleverly adapted the Al Capp square-triangle-and-circle puzzle contest into a geometric drawing to secure the national prize of the World Book Encyclopedia (worth a small fortune back then).

During my elementary and high school years, I continued to garner awards. Then taking a break as I worked on my art major at Smith College, I concentrated on finding the art form that best fit me. And when one of my professors offered to purchase a painting I had completed there, I became a professional artist. But only after graduation in 1974 did I discover my true “voice on paper”—my unique style—while studying at the Philadelphia College of Art, and I honor it in all the artwork I create to this day.

I still win awards, such as first place in watercolor at the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Art Show. I still have my work accepted into competitive art shows, such as the Northwest Watercolor Society Open Juried Show and the Edmonds Arts Festival. And I still enhance my skills through courses taught by leading artists, such as Caroline Buchanan, Judi Betts, and Lois Silver.

Whether taking classes from others or experimenting on my own, like most good artists, I continue to grow, to challenge myself, and to venture into the unfamiliar. After decades of concentrating in watercolor, I now focus on oil bars, basically oil paint on a stick. Using no brush, I apply the colors to the board and then mix them with my hands (protected with nitrile gloves). The wondrous results have impressed others, as well as myself, and I know I have discovered my new favorite medium.

My artwork hangs on walls all over the world, including in various venues in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. In addition to being a professional artist, I’m an editor, a published author/illustrator, and passionate about books and resources for helping parents raise happy, good-natured, self-assured children.

ARTIST STATEMENT

An arsonist set me on a grand, new artistic path a few years ago. After the fire’s destruction of most of my watercolors, my medium of choice for decades, I began exploring other possibilities. Oil bars captured me. Now passionate, bold colors, especially deep reds, fill the canvas. And flowers larger than life leap out. Some say the hot colors show the influence of the fire. Instead, I see the fire as sending my artistic expression to a higher level. Having satisfied that urge, I find myself returning to my all-time favorite theme of wide open fields and never-ending skies.

Originally developed for putting highlights on oil paintings, oil bar is also a medium in itself. I love that it allows me a more intimate contact with the painting–no paint brush or painting knife separates me from the board. After applying oil bars to the gessoed board, I move the paint around with my gloved fingers, and mix, swirl, and rub in colors. That energy permeates the works, complementing the wild colors and giving life to a two-dimensional image.

I still pick up a brush and paint watercolors. And skyscapes continue to dominate here—I can never get away from my Midwest background and never tire of finding emotional connection to the play of clouds and colors above.

RESUME

Degrees
University of Washington, MBA
Smith College, BA with art major

Continuing Education
EDGE Program (Artist Trust), Seattle
Bizart, Everett
ArtsNOW, Edmonds
Lois Silver, Coupeville Arts Center
Mark Mehaffey, Coupeville Arts Center
Caroline Buchanan; Edmonds, Skagit Valley, and Orcas Island
Linda Demetre, Seattle
Judi Betts, Redmond
Nicholas Kappas, Seattle
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia
Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia

Major Purchases
Group Health Redmond Medical Center

Major Exhibitions
Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, Winslow
Semantics Gallery, Edmonds, Travels on US 2
University Unitarian Church, Seattle
Gallery North, Edmonds, Under the Tuscan Sun
Gilmartin Gallery, Seattle
Gallery North, Edmonds, Hope on the Horizon
Normandy Park City Hall
Gallery North, Edmonds, The Sky’s the Limit
University Business Center, Seattle

Awards
First place in watercolor – Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Art Show