Bio

JuliAnne was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1957. She studied Classical Realism at the Minnesota River School of Fine Art and has owned a thriving portrait studio in Apple Valley, MN since 1995. Her work has been exhibited and sold broadly, consistently receiving critical acclaim, most recently at Sotheby’s New York, The Salmagundi Club, New York, Chaffy Museum, Ca., Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wisc., and Gallery One, Mpls.  

One of her encaustic wax portraits is part of the permanent collection of The Museum of Encaustic Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. JuliAnne lives and works in Apple Valley, Minnesota. A few recent awards and accolades have been granted from the Art Renewal Center, the Portrait Society of America, and the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art. Her work has been published in numerous books and publications including the cover of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine in Dec. 2021, and will be included in the Lunar Codex Collection of artwork being sent to the moon.  

www.juliannejonker.com

‍Artist Statement

I am drawn to the human form and nature as subjects for creating my art. Whether a figure study, or a representational portrait, there is something about the spiritual connection between beings that moves and fascinates me as an artist, my art serving as a conduit, a visual language for our ability to see and be seen. I am most drawn to the mystery and sculptural quality of chiaroscuro lighting. I believe it is the light that enhances and reveals the natural beauty inherent in all of creation.
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Most recently, my works are created with encaustic wax, cold wax, and oils. Using wax lends a sculptural quality to the pigments, creating depth and texture with a soft matte patina. Working in a rhythm layer by layer, building then excavating, carving, and using a variety of tools until I achieve the texture I want. All the while, I'm ever mindful to carefully execute the nuances of each subject's likeness, combining classical and contemporary style.