If you’ve been to the Munising Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market in the past few years, you’re probably familiar with artist Julie Highlen’s work. Whether soaring trees on canvas or bright-eyed owls on wooddisc miniatures, her unmistakable style brings the viewer a feeling of joy.
“My husband and I love the U.P.,” says Julie. “My paintings are inspired by things that catch my eye when we are out in the wilderness. I want to share what I see. Not just the beauty of the U.P., but the resilience.” Julie paints mostly in her studio from sketches, watercolors, or pictures she has taken while exploring. Paintings can be true to life, or made from a compilation of pictures. Julie works to make each painting unique, even when they are on the same subject. “I don’t want my paintings to look like they came off an assembly line,” she says.
Working mostly in acrylics, Julie’s favorite things to paint are exactly what the U.P. has in abundance – trees, rocks, and water. Sometimes, a painting is completed quickly, in a matter of days. Other times, a painting will go through many revisions. Either way, a lot of her painting takes place in her mind before she touches brush to canvas. Paintings that express deep emotion take time to create.
After many years of mostly self-instruction, Julie began painting full-time in 2017, shortly after she and her husband, John, moved to Deerton. She says she understands how privileged she is to be able to paint full-time. She also appreciates John’s support. An author of nonfiction outdoor adventure books, John calls himself Julie’s “road crew.” “Going to art shows and farmers’ markets takes a lot of preparation,” says Julie. “John takes care of the heavy lifting,” including helping with setup and take down.
Julie has been awarded multiple artist-in-residences, including one at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in 2020. This coming August, she and John will be traveling to Isle Royale, after she applied for and won a grant of $1,250 from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. “The first time I was an artist-in-residence, I felt like I needed to do something spectacular.” She has since learned the most important thing to do is to enjoy the experience, to hike or snowshoe, to walk along the beach, or just watch the night sky. “That’s where the inspiration comes from,” says Julie, with some of the best painting often coming days or weeks afterwards.
In addition to being at the Munising Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, Julie’s work is available at Falling Rock Café in Munising and will be available at Pictured Rocks Resort in Grand Marais this summer, along with several other U.P. retailers and online. Julie also has an active Facebook page for her Northwoods Art Studio, where visitors can see new works, works in progress, and sometimes even catch a deal on a painting. She also debuted a new website last week, https://www.northwoodsartstudio. com.
Be sure to stop by the market this summer and say hello to Julie, and watch for more on John Highlen and his writing in next week’s edition.
