Meet Julie Sola
Julie Sola: Artist, Author, Printmaker
My interest in printmaking was originally sparked when a friend showed me some of her wood cut prints. Since finding the medium, I have continued to explore the creative options available in printmaking and have taken a few classes from local printmakers.
I find printmaking to be the most successful way for me to express my ideas. My ideas first take shape in a sketch. Once my drawing is fully developed, I transfer it to linoleum where the drawing goes through changes as I carve it. At this stage I am able to edit the drawing as I wish.
Since I am working reductively, taking away linoleum to create white areas to make texture, shape and line, I am able to see my simple idea be transformed into something that looks totally different. I am very passionate about printmaking and I have not lost the excitement I get when I am pulling a print. You never exactly know how it is going to turn out once the ink is on the paper.
Drawing on early childhood memories of my grandparents and their Mexican culture and heritage, my work becomes a whimsical and positive interpretation of various periods of my own life.
I am especially inspired by my own experiences working in animal husbandry and ranching.
In Mexican folklore, animals were often used to teach right from wrong or explain current political events. This was one way to keep the rural population informed since many of them were illiterate.
Animals often assume human characteristics in my work and I strive to create an open-ended narrative that allows my viewers to create their own story.
In some of my current work I am writing and illustrating children's books. This is a wonderful new challenge that pushes me to look at my work from a different perspective.
Books by Julie Sola
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Possum Dreams
Henry, an adorable possum with an active imagination, loves to dream. As he drifts off to sleep, Henry’s world is filled with adventure as he races his sports car, sails the ocean, rides a unicycle, and enjoys all the excitement that a curious and enthusiastic life can offer. The illustrations are linoleum cuts.
Personalized signed copies are available, just add the recipients name at checkout.
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Run Fast Milo
Milo is like any dog…he loves to sleep and eat. But more than anything else, his favorite thing to do is run as fast as he can once he hears the words, “ Run Fast Milo !”
personalized signed copies are available, just add who the recipient is at checkout.
Portfolio
this is my 1964 Vandercook proofing press.
Inquiries
Professional Experience
For many years I was involved with Plowhaus, a local Nashville non-profit artist co-op. I served on the board and as a curator for shows, as well as participated in gallery installations. While with the Plowhaus I was involved in annual outreach programs that involved teaching printmaking to students and holding shows to raise money for the art departments of local schools. Lockeland Design Center and East Academy were a few of the Nashville schools that we worked with.
For ten years I worked at American Artisan Gallery. I worked closely with our artists, keeping up with the always-changing styles of the various mediums. I continued to work with American Artisan in a different aspect by helping to organize their yearly arts festival now in its 40th year.
I was also a teaching artist at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in 2007 with the Hispanic Outreach Project for Education (HOPE). I helped students explore various printmaking techniques and to create a series of prints that explored their cultural heritage. The work these students produced became a show called Contemporary Cultures that coincided with the Frist Exhibition: Mexico and Modern Printmaking: A revolution in the Graphic Arts 1920-1950. You can also find my voice on the Frist Center's podcast for the Chuck Close exhibition in 2009.
For many years I was a designer and printer at the world-famous Hatch Show Print, a 143-year-old letterpress poster shop. My day involved working with clients, designing, typesetting, and printing everything from wedding invitations to concert posters. In my off hours, I created my own work that I r began selling and exhibiting at art festivals around the country. My work is shown at Shimai Contemporary Gallery in Nashville, Tn, Gallery 202 in Franklin, Tn, and at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. My work can also be found in the permanent collection of the Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tn.
Currently, I create work full-time in my studio which is located in a historic building in Las Vegas, New Mexico. I do commission, illustration, and art to sell in galleries. I have written and illustrated two children's books, Run Fast Milo! and Possum Dreams.
