Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne B Ricksecker.
Julianne B, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, the middle child in a boisterous family of 7 kids. As an introvert even then, I remember seeking quiet and alone time in “the woods” – what was probably a small undeveloped portion of the neighborhood, only a few blocks square. But it was hilly and wooded and felt like being out in the wilderness to me. I still love being out in nature, hiking and enjoying the sounds and sights of unspoiled places.
I’ve felt compelled to represent the world visually from an early age. I remember a writing assignment in about 3rd grade that I lavishly illustrated with graphite drawings intended to look like the black and white snapshots in our family photo album – complete with the white border and textured edges, corner tabs and shadows. I remember great frustration that my small fingers could not adequately portray what my mind’s eye wanted to draw.
When I started at the University of Pittsburgh intending to major in art, I heard in my art history lecture, “when you see (this or that) in the Louvre….” I finally asked the instructor how I, who could barely manage my expenses to go to university, could ever get to Paris. He told me about a semester abroad program that I could participate in, if my major was French. So, I switched majors and, receiving some grant and scholarship money made it possible to study in Rouen for one semester, I made it to Paris on spring break! I visited the Louvre and the Jeu de Paume, which at the time held an entire room of Monet’s cathedrals. At that time in my life I was most inspired by the work of the Impressionists and of Rembrandt.
This was in the Vietnam war years, and my sweetheart signed up for Navy OCS when his draft number was called up. We married upon my return to the US. Over the next few years, the Navy took us to Albuquerque NM and Yokosuka Japan, Newport RI and finally San Diego. I took a variety of art classes along the way, and when I took a class in printmaking at small school in San Diego, I fell in love with the medium, especially etching. I set up a printmaking studio in my home and worked there every moment I could when the children were small. I exhibited my first piece professionally at the San Diego Art Institute (now known as the Museum of the Living Artist) in 1979. For the next decade, I worked almost exclusively in printmaking, exploring many technical approaches to creating plates and printing them. At that point, I began to explore watercolor and pastel as well. Now I find it enjoyable to switch it up, choosing the medium that will best express what I am feeling about an image.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make original prints, monotypes, pastels and watercolors. What do I mean by “original prints”? It means that the plate or matrix from which the print is taken is made by hand by the artist, and the print is also made by hand from the plate. There is no other artwork until the print is pulled. This is significant in a world where marketing language is used that potentially obscures the reality that some prints are reproductions of an artwork that was made in a different medium. Regardless of how “limited” those editions may be, or how “fine art” or “archival” the materials used, they are still mechanical reproductions, whether done a lithograph press or giclée printer.
I have explored a lot of different technical processes both in the realm of plate-making and in monotype printmaking. Part of the fun of printmaking is the exploration of different techniques. Etching, aquatint, white ground, soft ground, viscosity, collagraph – the list goes on and on. (Just ask me! I can talk about it for hours!) Monotype is a one-of-a-kind print – where the image is developed on one surface and then transferred to paper. This kind of print can be done without a press, so this is what I will usually do when asked to demonstrate my art at the Fair or other special venues.
My favorite subject is landscape, portraying real places that I have visited. I usually hike with a camera and a sketchbook and complete my work in the studio. It would be difficult to work “en plein air” with all the equipment required to make an etching! I have portrayed views of Yosemite, Zion and Glacier and more local views of Cuyamace mountain trails or Torrey Pines State Park. I find peace, solace, and joy in the beauty of nature, and with my art I hope that the viewer experiences some of that feeling every time they see the work. I hope too that my viewers will reflect the importance of preserving these beautiful spaces for the enjoyment of future generations.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
In this internet connected day, there are many voices competing for attention, and I think our attention spans are getting shorter. We can now jump online and find art from creatives anywhere in the world. In all the visual noise, what we will find depends on our search criteria and the algorithms of the search engines, a constantly moving target. I think the biggest challenge today for an artist is to find their audience, to reach the collectors and viewers who will love their vision enough to pay it the highest compliment – to part with their hard-earned cash to own a piece for themselves.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I exhibit my work continually in several San Diego venues. You can see my work at the Del Mar Art Center Gallery, located in the Del Mar Plaza at 15th St and Camino Del Mar, up on the Plaza level. I have work at the two SmartSpace Galleries; in San Diego at 4555 Murphy Canyon Road and in Vista at 450 S. Melrose Drive. I also exhibit in a variety of group exhibitions and competitions in San Diego and around the world. At the moment I have work in exhibits in Douro, Portugal, and Cadaques, Spain. I have a two-person exhibit coming up August 7 – 27 in Gallery 21, Spanish Village with photographer Jeffrey Brosbe. I post an events list on my website, at http://ArtbyJulianne.com or you can sign up for my occasional email newsletter: http://bit.ly/artbyJulianneNews. I am on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ArtbyJulianne.
Obviously the very best way to support an artist is to buy original work to grace your home and feed your soul. If you can’t afford to purchase outright, ask about payment terms. Most artists would love to work with you make it possible for you to take art home. The next best way is to share your excitement about the artist and the art with friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family. Like, comment on and share the artists posts on social media. Bring your friends to an artist’s receptions. Help your friends visualize hanging a beautiful piece of original art in their home, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artbyjulianne.com
- Email: juli@artbyjulianne.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyjulianne/
- Twitter: @artbyjulianne
- Other: Sign up for newsletter: http://bit.ly/artbyJulianneNews
Image Credit:
©Julianne B Ricksecker
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