Uhills Business Spotlight – Portrait Artist, Julie Williams

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams. And Julie Williams is taking that quote to a whole new level! This week on the Uhills Business Spotlight, you’re going to see something unique from an amazing artist, Portrait Artist, Julie Williams.

The simple way to describe what Julie Williams does, is she takes portrait photographs and creates beautiful oil paintings from them. The not so simple way to describe what she does is, she captures the essence of a child in only a way she can and puts it on canvas. You can see samples of her work here and a bit more about what is involved in getting one of these incredible portraits done for your family.

The Story and the “Why” behind Julie Williams Oil Portraits…..

What is the story behind your business? How did you know it was something you wanted to pursue?

“I began my art career in Hilton Head, SC following a career with Exxon in New York City. A marketing company commissioned me in Hilton Head to create and illustrate covers for various magazines focusing on island life and sports personalities. Many of my paintings became part of private collections of national sportsmen and television producers. This opened the door for my primary love, portraiture, for which I am known today.”

Julie Williams Bio –

Julia MacLeod Williams’ expressive approach to portraiture is largely influenced by the American impressionists and realists.

Julie has received acclaim and admiration from clients throughout the United States for her enchanting portraits of children. Equally adept at painting adults, Williams’ sensitive portrayal of each subject offers an intimate glimpse into the individual’s personality and likeness through knowledge of her subject, her understanding of composition and control of the oil medium.

In 2010 she was commissioned by the State of Virginia’s Commission of the Arts to portray two former First Ladies of Virginia, Lynda Johnson Robb and Edith Dalton.

Ms. Williams holds a BFA in Painting from Syracuse University, studied at the Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood NJ and apprenticed under renowned portraitist Joseph Bowler in Hilton Head, SC. She is a member of the Portrait Society of America.

Ms. Williams is a native of Dunkirk, New York. In 2012 she moved from Richmond, VA to Denver, Colorado to continue her work with portrait commissions and portrait instruction.

“Producing a portrait is a joy. Capturing one’s likeness and essence on canvas must carry the likeness, a true sense of the subject and in the end, achieve excellence for the client.

Tell me about your business – what you do and what makes it special? 

“My portrait business focuses primarily on painting children in oil and pastel. Equally adept at painting adults, my commissions include portraits of former First Ladies of Virginia, Lynda Johnson Robb and Edith Dalton.”

If you want to check out what some of her clients are saying about her work, feel free to read her testimonials here.

What is your favorite part about running your own business?

“My favorite part is working with my clients and sharing a portrayal and permanence of their children’s likeness and personality during the innocence of their childhood.”

You’re based out of University Hills, what do you love best about this community?

“Moving from the East to U-Hills in 2012 has been a gift . In the east, people can be unaware of how prosperous and diverse life can be by living in Denver, with neighborhoods such as U-hills It’s safe, convenient, beautiful and historically rich.”

Is there anything else you’d like your neighbors to know about you or your business?

“Producing a portrait is a joy. It carries the likeness and a true sense of the subject, connects the viewer to the subject, and achieves excellence for the clients. As a note, the prices on my web site reflect past fees in Virginia which are above what I offer in Denver. My fee in Denver for pastels are $450. I offer lessons as well. Outside of my studio, I’m an instructor at a number of retirement homes. I enjoy the residents’ interaction and seeing the difference that learning about art makes in their everyday activities.”

Julie Williams,
Portrait Artist
www.portraitartist.com/williams
(303)758-1193
juliawilliams@yahoo.com

When I started reaching out to our community here in Uhills I was amazed to see the amount of talent that exists just within our small community! I love everything about small businesses and wish each and every one of you small business owners a huge amount of success in life.

University Hills is the place I call home for a reason. Feel free to check out all the happenings here. And if you have any questions about our great neighborhood, I’m always here to help!

Alex Saldana
alex@alexsaldanahomes.com
(720)819-7789
www.reframingrealestate.com