Colorado, here I come!

It’s time to finally put my dreams into action.  I am beyond thrilled to take a giant leap of faith by transplanting my life to a place that will bring me new and exciting opportunities and where I can fully concentrate on my art.

After 29 long years in Atlanta I am finally packing my dogs and bags and relocating in June to the Centennial state.  My immediate plans include exploring cities and parks in Colorado I’ve only read about, being spiritually lifted by the spectacular nature and wildlife surrounding me, spending time with artist friends who inspire me and visiting museums and galleries that might wish to learn more about my art.  Of course my first course of business is finding the right town in which to settle down.  My long-term plans include a life of great adventure and happiness.

Those who know me best know that my biggest passion in life is my art.  Yet, I have found that I have only scratched the surface of the power of pyrography.  I can hardly wait to discover new techniques that will enhance my repertoire.  My primary focus will be on Western, American wildlife and, of course, sporting dog genres.  It’s time to show the West what this medium and gal are all about.

Though I will sorely miss dear friends here, we will remain close through the miles that separate us.  I look forward to embracing this next phase of my life and all possibilities that lie ahead.  My sincerest hope is that you continue to follow me here on my artful journey and that we all never stop dreaming.

Warmly,
Julie
juliebender.com

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt



'Tis the Season to Give!!



"Between the Lines"   14"x11"
(available - sans Santa cap - at Lovetts Gallery.  Call Lovetts for details)

 

~ A Charitable Offering ~

In the spirit of the holiday season, I am offering two feathered friends below to you at a discounted price.  Then, 50% of those proceeds will go directly to a charity of YOUR choice.
These original pyrographic works were created in 2010, produced on northern grade A maple wood, lovingly created by hand in the same detail by which you have come to know my work.  Each is encased in a museum-quality frame and ready to hang on your wall.  What a better gift for the holidays than an original - and unique - work of art?



"Shades of Blue and Red" (male stellar jay)   10"x8"
$800 + shipping

  

"Keeping them Warm" (robin)   18"x11"
$900 + shipping



Please inquire at julie@juliebender.com

Woodson Museum acquires
"Ivy League"

In my mind, there is no greater validation for an artist than to have a museum express its desire to purchase her work for its permanent collection. Even nicer that it was the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, following the 2011 Birds in Art exhibition. Inspired by my favorite songbird, the whimsical white-breasted nuthatch, “Ivy League,” was juried into this year’s show of approximately100 works chosen among just under 1,000 entries by nearly 600 artists from around the globe. It is quite an honor to be selected to exhibit at this internationally acclaimed annual juried exhibition that showcases a variety of flat and 3D artistic styles – from impressionism to satirical caricature.

This marks my second year at Birds in Art, an exhibition that sets the standard for avian art. Artists are challenged to work outside the box conceptually and inventively and bring to the table their best and most creative work. The judging criteria always remain the same: meeting and exceeding the expectations of a world class jury. Make no mistake that the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum seeks to present the very best contemporary artistic interpretations of birds and related subject matter.

The inaugural weekend this year was thrilling for me personally as well as professionally. It is fabulous to see all the awe-inspiring art, to strengthen frienships with the invited artists in attendance, museum staff, patrons and guests. But on a personal note, I was fortunate to meet another artist who employs pyrography as her primary medium. Nobuko Kumasaka from Japan was also there representing her rendition of spot-billed ducks on basswood entitled “Take Five.” Our techniques are quite different, as is the wood on which we burn. We took to each other as if we were two long lost friends, breaking through our language barrier and learning so much about each other and her art.

Trenton and Happy

NatureWorks 2011 in Tulsa, OK (March 5-6) is etched in my mind as one of the best times in my artist career. My new collection seemed well-received, got to spend time with artist friends and catch up with all their news, and just participating at that show is such a thrill.

But by far the best part of this year's show for me was getting to see one of my collectors and his family. Ray and Terry Norton of Broken Arrow, OK, purchased a work from me at NatureWorks 2010. Later in the year he commissioned me to produce a piece of art of his grandson, Trenton, and his English Mastiff, Happy. The two boys are best friends....actually more like inseparable. Over the next couple months, Ray shot and sent me photos he took of the pair in order for me to select THE photo on which to base my art. Once it was determined which photo I would use, I got to work. After that point, he sent me emails explaining just how important these two boys are in his life and what they mean to each other. As a result, thanks to Ray sharing a piece of their life, this artist was able to not only execute a piece of art, but create a labor of love, as it is the story behind the art that is most moving. Suffice it to say here that Trenton and Happy share a deep-seated, heartfelt adoration for each other and are happiest when they are together.

Finally, the piece was created, framed and ready for me to bring to the show. Ray and I set it up that the piece would hang so that Trenton, attending the Friday night gala with Grandma and Grandpa, would enter my booth and be surprised. But, before they left for the show that evening, Trenton was instructed that he could pick out any piece of art that he wanted, and Grandpa Ray would buy it for him. The only condition was that it had to "remind him of home." Ray called me on my cell to let me know they were on their way.

Naturally, I was on pins and needles, Ray, Terry and I had anticpated this surprise for months, and the day was finally here! Twenty minutes later I saw them strolling through the Renaissance hotel ballroom and turning the corner toward my booth. Ray was holding Trenton's 6 1/2 year old hand, giving me a cautious wave with the other. I nodded and acted aloof when Ray said to Trenton "Let's go in here."

Trenton walked into my booth, carefully scanned my wall of art until he came to a piece that surprisingly DID remind him of home! The look on his precious face tells the rest of the story. Thankfully, I had arranged for the wife of an artist friend to take photos as Trenton's reaction unfolded, as I really just wanted to enjoy the moment. Thanks to April Kemp (Jay Kemp's wife) for taking these shots.

So, we enjoyed each others company for a while, hugged, talked and took lots of pics. It was a great evening with a great family.

Fast forward to the Sunday......Ray, Terry and Trenton returned to pick up the piece. What I had not expected, however, was Trenton's gorgeous work of art that he presented to ME. Wow. How humbling to see myself placed into his family portrait. How thoughtful of Trenton to do this for me. I will frame it and treasure it always. I feel I not only have a collector, but have new life-long friends.

Art comes in many forms, from pyrography to crayons. But it is this lasting memory I will carry in my heart that holds the most value to me.

Horsing Around

Enjoyed last sunny Sunday out in the field photographing horses for upcoming pieces. Amazing how spirited these guys are. They really remind me of my three dogs....only much bigger of course. They play hard, bite hard, roll on their backs for a good scratch, bump and rear each other, get angry, stalk each other, roll their eyes, you name it. I stood for hours watching their behavior and taking in the fun. It was amazing the number of them that came to me for affection. In fact, I missed some great shots because some felt the need to lean in on me and block others from my view. Sabotage!!

Managed to get some GREAT closeups and nice candid shots, so expect to see some serious detail, interesting compositions and "looks."

New Website!

JulieBender.com - the next generation - is up and running! Redesigned with easy-to-follow navigation, including four portfolios of work, social media links to keep you in touch with me wherever my art takes me, easy-on-the-eye design and style, I am thrilled to have recently launched this update. For this, I would like to acknowledge my very good friend and gifted oil painter and graphite artist Robert Caldwell. Robert proved equal to the task and turned around a beautiful website that I can maintain from this point on. My intention is to keep it fresh, current, informative and well-designed. I invite your thoughts, ideas and any suggestions you might have to improve it.

Scroll Saw Magazine

Several months ago I was approached by Scroll Saw Magazine to participate in its first issue devoted entirely to the art of pyrography. Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts is the how-to magazine for woodworkers & crafters, so it was a special honor to be included in this inaugural Scroll Saw Pyrography edition.

This article addresses some of my process in producing works, as well as my inspiration. Four of my works are displayed throughout the article. Other guest artists discuss their techniques and styles and offer information on how to get started in pyrography and where to buy tools and other materials.