Julie Leidel now works primarily with acrylics and gouache paintings that offer fairytale takes on iconic Colorado destinations, as well as her Arts & Crafts Movement (1880-1920) and Art Nouveau inspired acrylic paintings. She’s been recognized as a Roycraft Master Artisan for her dedication to craftsmanship and authenticity. When I spoke with her at her booth during Center for the Arts’ Summerfest in July, I was amazed at her ability to fully immerse herself in the present moment while staying attuned to her greater surroundings. This balance, I realized, is the foundation of her art: intentional, personal, and deeply accessible to others.
“The deeply intentional and personal nature of Julie’s process brings about something incredibly human in her finished pieces.”
Julie grew up in Loveland, Colorado, the daughter of a tole painter and a woodworker. Her mother’s downstairs studio was, Julie described, a “free for all” of art supplies. Julie’s mom was her first inspiration, and her folk-art style influence still echoes in Julie’s paintings today.
For much of Julie’s life, she painted recreationally. I asked about the transition from hobbyist to professional—curious about how the act of creating might change as a result. She described art as a “relationship.” Hobby painting, she said, was like the “honeymoon stage.” Going professional meant making a full commitment to creating. She told me how vulnerable she felt at her first art festival, especially when she didn’t make a single sale. “It was a total goose-egg,” she remembered, laughing, but she recalled feeling inspired on the drive home rather than dejected. By the time she reached home, she was already planning her next collection.
Julie now works primarily with acrylics, creating colorful scenes of iconic Colorado landscapes, wildlife and towns. Using her background in graphic design, she begins each piece digitally to map space, flow and perspective. She often builds her own fonts to tie everything together that she handpaints with tiny brushes. While painting, Julie enters what she calls a meditative “Zen state.” Often, she sits in silence, listening only to her brush on the canvas. “There’s something very intimate about that,” she confided.
The deeply intentional and personal nature of Julie’s process brings about something incredibly human in her finished pieces. This is enhanced by her painstaking precision and dedication to the smallest details.
“There are seasons of this for me,” she explained. Summer is outward-facing: commission work, art festivals and data collection. She observes what resonates—what people gravitate toward—and this guides her in creating conscious art that hopes to strike a chord. This makes her work especially inviting. There’s something for everyone: from custom-framed originals to matted and canvas prints, she offers a range of formats and price points that reflect her desire to make her art widely accessible.
In fall and winter, Julie enters a hermit-like phase to focus on more personal work. During this time, she recalibrates. The artist thrives while the businesswoman rests. These creative seasons allow her to stay inspired and grounded, helping her avoid burnout. In the summer, she connects with others and shares her energy; in winter she replenishes.
You can catch Julie at one of her remaining events this season, including the Open Door Studios in September at her home workshop.
