12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day 2: Julie Simpson

Welcome to the second day of Meylah’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway where a featured artist or crafter will be giving away a FREE GIFT to one of our lucky readers who has left a comment, so make sure you visit and comment each day.

On the second day of Christmas, Meylah is happy to introduce Julie Simpson of Julie Simpson Art.  We first met Julie at the Bellevue Festival of Arts this past summer where she was featuring her wonderful hand woven textiles (scarves and shawls) and then we also realized she is also a very talented mixed media artist.  Find out a little more about Julie and her multiple talents in our discussion below.  

Meylah:  Your paintings are very unique, can you explain mixed media to us and how you incorporate it into your paintings? 
Julie:  Mixed media is the use of multiple materials in creating an art piece.  I use paper, litho pencil, paint and nylon thread which I hand sew into my paintings.

Meylah:  We see from your website that you also create hand woven scarves and garments, do you spend the majority of your time on this or your paintings and is your passion for one greater than the other? 
Julie:  I have a degree in Textile Design from the Rhode Island School of Design located in Providence, Rhode Island.  I divide my time in the studio weaving on my looms, creating one of a kind textiles!  When I don't want to weave- I paint!  My passion is for both mediums, although now that I am fiber infusing my paintings, I want to paint more and stitch!  We'll see what the future brings.

Meylah:  We saw you at Seattle’s Best of the Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show in November and now you’re going to New York's 1st Annual One Of A Kind Holiday Shopping Show from December 11-13th.  Are you excited for this upcoming show in New York and is this the first time you’ve traveled out of state for a show? 
Julie:  I am so excited for the New York show!!!  I am in booth H-30!  I have shown my woven work on the east before, at private trunk shows, but this is the first time that I will be displaying my woven textiles AND paintings together...and in New York! COOL!

Meylah:  What challenges have you found while trying to sell your artwork and/or textiles online versus at shows?  What successes? 
Julie:  I have more success selling work in person, versus online with the textiles.  Even though I have a website that showcases both mediums, people want to feel and try on wearable textiles.  Each piece that I create is one of a kind, and it's also a challenge to keep up with the documentation of each textile, and then upload onto my site.  Paintings, however are different.  I have sold work online with customers inquiring about the status of a specific piece and I have received commissions too, which is always fantastic as an artist.  I think a website is crucial this day and age for artists, as people want to see an artist's work, and be in direct contact with the artist.

Meylah:  We understand you participate in several juried art shows, do you participate exclusively in these shows?  What do you prefer about juried art shows versus non-juried shows?  
Julie:  I have participated in  juried art shows.  I prefer them being juried, as the work and competition is better among fellow artists.  The Hallway Gallery in Bellevue, Washington has some of my "stitch" paintings.  My work is part of the "Small Works" show which opened this last Friday, December 4th, 2009.

Thank you Julie!  Today, Julie is giving away a print titled "bubblegum", an 8x8 inch giclee print that is matted and can be seen below.  Don't forget to comment for your chance to win this print from Julie and if you're in New York this weekend, be sure and visit her at booth H-30 during the One of a Kind Holiday Show and Sale or you can always find her on her website to check out more of her cool artwork and textile designs!