Wildlife artist Julie Jeppsen is known for her paintings combining realism and atmosphere of wild animals in landscape. Julie is a self-taught artist, whose subject matter is a wide range of animals.
In an article from Art of the West, Julie stated that she hikes into the wilderness to see her subjects on "their home-turf." Julie says that animals are like children in that you get to know their character and instincts. Julie's art talent came from her mother and her love for the outdoors from her father. "Being outdoors inspires me to paint."
Julie grew from working with pastels to oil. She found that she liked the rich colors of oil. She sometimes carries a pocket watercolor set so that she can do a color study.
Encouraged by her mother, who is also an artist, and father, whose keen eye for anatomy helped develop some of the most sought after pure breeds in America, gave her a powerful combination for great works of art. Julie began drawing as soon as she could hold a pencil.
At the age of 7 she was asked to draw murals of animals for the elementary school spring festival titled Bambi. At age 14 she started selling her work to pay for entry fees in high school rodeos.
She placed 9th in the nation her junior year at the National High School Rodeo Finals and one-tenth of a second apart from winning state finals with her twin sister coming in 1st.
She learned all through high school the dedication it takes to be successful and carried those principals to her art career. Julie believes art is something you just have to love to put the time and passion into it.
She has been involved in some form of art all her life and will continue doing it because it`s a major part of who she is. Julie lives in Victor, Montana. When she's not painting, she participates in annual art shows including the Russell Show in Great Falls, Montana, and the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina.