Artist Spotlight: Julie Snidle
Julie Snidle, Abundance, encaustic on panel, 24” x 24”.
Julie Snidle is a self-taught artist with a background in public school teaching and corporate administration. She was introduced to encaustic in 2004 and has worked primarily with wax-based paints, including oil and cold wax, since then. Julie has received numerous awards for her abstract work which can be found in public spaces and private collections throughout the world. In addition to serving as a Core Instructor for R&F Handmade Paints, she is also an Artist Ambassador for Ampersand Art Supplies.
Julie is represented by Kolman & Reeb Gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dauphin Gallery on Dauphin Island, Alabama; and Canary Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama. She teaches workshops nationwide and also at her home studio in Fairhope.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? How did you get your start as an artist?
I grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis in the 60’s. I had the good fortune of having parents with a strong work ethic who enjoyed camping, hiking, and do-it-yourself projects. My mother was artistic and my father mechanical, a winning combination. I entertained myself by drawing, sewing, making my own paper dolls, and creating miniature houses out of cardboard.
In 7th grade I wrote a paper about what I imagined to be my future career; I wanted to be an art teacher. I did earn my degree in elementary education and taught school for 5 years.
Life happens and I found myself in Dallas working for an insurance company as a corporate trainer and administrator. I never lost my artistic desires but they were relegated to hobby status. By 1994, I was married with two young daughters. Art retreats, creative workshops, and painting classes fed my soul. The more I learned the more I wanted to know. Fortunately the learning never ends.
Julie Snidle, Bennington, oil and cold wax on panel, 9” x 12”.
What are you currently working on in the studio? How has your work evolved over the years?
There are a lot of moving parts in my studio right now. I’m finishing a 36” x 45” commissioned oil and cold wax painting for a local couple; packing materials for a 3-day workshop I’ll be teaching this week in Birmingham & delivering 6 paintings to Canary Gallery also in Birmingham; meeting a photographer here tomorrow, a potential new member of a local art group I started a year ago; and setting up my studio to accommodate an artist friend who will spend the first week of March with me.
My work has grown more confident over the years. I have shed much of the hesitancy and doubt that accompanies early work. I am more trusting of myself to make the right decisions. My self criticism has become focused and useful as I continue to expand and experiment. The more I paint, the better I know what I like, what I want in my work, and the more comfortable I feel with my art practice. This trust and believing in positive outcomes has become my way forward. Not always easy but I enjoy the challenges and I am having more fun all the time.
Julie Snidle, Alla Prossima (until next time), encaustic on panel, 24” x 24”.
This June 12 - 13 you will be teaching Joy of a Limited Palette at Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill. What does this workshops focus on and what can students expect to leave with?
This workshop will give students a chance to ‘test drive’ new color combinations and discover the dozens of uniquely beautiful colors that can emerge from just 2 or 3 parent colors and white. Although not technically a color theory workshop, terms like hue, value, intensity, opacity, and temperature will become part of our vocabulary as we explore the wide range of possibilities.
We will be working with encaustic on Ampersand’s smallest encausticbords and 300# watercolor paper so that work can be easily transported home. R&F will provide a wide variety of encaustic paint colors to choose from so that you can find your favorites. You’ll find that less really is more.
Julie’s studio set up to teach painting with R&F Pigment Sticks.
Julie’s studio set up to teach encaustic painting.
What keeps you motivated in the studio? What is your typical studio day like? What's next on your horizon?
I’m a planner. I love assignments and deadlines. So whatever I’ve scheduled for myself, whether it’s a workshop, a commission, or paintings for a gallery, I’m motivated to keep moving forward. A friend of mine gave me a framed quote, “Do what you love, love what you do.” I feel very fortunate to live a creative life and to share my passion for painting with others.
Julie Snidle, Travel Plans, encaustic on panel, 16” x 20”.
We moved to Fairhope, AL from St. Louis, MO in 2018. Fairhope is a beautiful little community on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. It is a haven for artists and writers and I have been inspired and nurtured by my experiences here and the people I’ve met.
We found the perfect home with an attached mother-in-law suite that we converted into my studio. High ceilings, good light and ventilation provide a safe and comfortable place to work and teach. It’s separated from the main house by a large, white rolling barn door.
My painting studio and classroom are in one room with my office, library, bath, and storage closet in the adjacent room. That’s where you’ll find me during the day unless I’m traveling, golfing or having lunch with friends.
I’m usually up by 7. Morning routine is pretty much the same; coffee, read emails, solve a puzzle or two, and take a walk. I’ll be in my studio by 9 or so. When working with encaustic, I’ll usually paint on one piece at a time. With oils, I’ll have several paintings going at once. Occasionally I’ll construct a blank journal that I’ll use with watercolors when traveling. Whether I’m painting or doing art-related administrative tasks, I’m wrapping it up by 5. Then it’s time to clean up and join my husband for dinner. He does most of the cooking these days.
Julie Snidle, Precarious, oil and cold wax on panel, 9” x 12”.
I am currently reading The Creative Act: A Way of Being, a book by Rick Rubin. He says, “Beware of the assumption that the way you work is the best way simply because it’s the way you’ve done it before.” After almost 20 years of painting with encaustic, I still find it to be a fascinating medium. I’m not sure what direction my work will take next, but I do want to keep learning, taking risks, and pushing myself. Staying curious.
To see additional images of Julie’s work, visit juliesnidle.com. You can also follow her on Instagram @juliesnidle.
Julie has a number of upcoming workshops including:
3/9 - 11: Advanced Encaustic, Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope, AL
6/12 - 13: The Joy of a Limited Palette - with R&F Encaustic Paint, Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, Truro, MA
6/23 - 24: The Joy of a Limited Palette - with R&F Pigment Sticks, Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope, AL
7/19 - 22: Authentic Abstracts with Oil and Cold Wax: Express Yourself!, Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope, AL
8/7 - 11: Encaustic and Mixed Media, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA
10/18 - 21: Discovering Encaustic, Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope, AL
To learn more and register, visit juliesnidle.com/all-workshops.