I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was always sketching—fantasy figures, animals, and whatever characters my imagination dreamed up—usually with a pencil or pen in hand. I’ve always loved realism and the challenge of capturing life as I saw it on paper.
In 1982, my family moved to California, where I dove into studying illustration and graphic design. But my love for horses led me down a different path for a while, and I found myself pursuing a career in horse training, first in California and later in Texas.
It was in Texas that I decided to make a big shift. I started my own business creating custom wall finishes and murals for homes and businesses. Over the years, the business grew and gave me the chance to explore a wide variety of art styles—Chinoiserie, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, abstract work, and even fumage, to name a few. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey that’s spanned over three decades.
When my wife and I moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina, we found a peaceful five-acre property in the mountains. One of the first things I did was build a new art studio, giving me the perfect space to experiment with different mediums and continue creating.
Publications / Exhibitions
The Laurel of Asheville Magazine December 2024
Adele in Munich Concert Show, merch portrait poster 2024
https://juliewillan.com/portraits
The Laurel of Asheville Magazine- cover artist
2020
https://thelaurelofasheville.com/arts/cover-artist-julie-willan/
Culture Map Houston
Shout-out
https://shoutouthtx.com/meet-julie-willan-artist/Origins Magazine
CANVASREBEL
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-julie-willan-fine-artist/
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum