Meet the artist,
Julie Bonner
Where saguaros reach skyward, and wildlife thrives under golden sunsets, artist Julie Bonner has found not only her home but her muse. Originally from New York, Julie’s creative path led her to Tucson more than 20 years ago—and she’s been blooming here ever since.
Julie’s artistic journey began in childhood when she declared her intention to become an artist at the tender age of three. Her brand, Julie Originals, was born from the nickname she used to sign on the back of handmade greeting cards as a kid.
A high school advertising and design class introduced her to solving problems by creating graphic design concepts. She earned a bachelor’s degree in design from Drexel University, where she also played tennis, and later pursued an MBA to bolster her entrepreneurial skills, which she uses to run her own business.
“Business doesn’t always come naturally to artists,” she says. “Getting my MBA helped me feel more comfortable starting my own business and teaching others about the business side of design.”
Her work is a love letter to Tucson’s vibrant ecology, which often features iconic Southwest flora and fauna brought to life with vivid color and gentle whimsy. As a mom, she used her talent to teach her young son about the alphabet through hand-painted desert animal flashcards featuring creatures native to the region, her best seller to date, and an ADDY award winner.
“It was a fun way to combine my love of painting and the desert with education,” she says. “I love combining fine art, graphic design and education all in one.”
Julie describes her creative process as “old school”, and proudly so. She prefers to begin with a sketchbook and pencil, letting the ideas come naturally before touching an iPad or computer. For her flashcard series, she carefully researched and planned out all 26 animals before picking up a brush.
She also works on commercial projects, including designing packaging for a locally made organic granola line that incorporates her fine art with graphic design. Her artwork was also commissioned for United Way’s Live United campaign, one that earned her a second ADDY award.
“I enjoyed painting the image for them, and then to see it everywhere at the United Way event was really meaningful,” said Julie.
Not content to simply be an artist, Julie teaches others the craft at both Pima Community College and The University of Arizona, blending design with real-world lessons in marketing and self-promotion.
“You may be creating amazing art, but if you’re not promoting or marketing it, no one will experience your beautiful work,” she says.
You can find a list of retailers that carry her work or purchase products online on her website, julieoriginals.com. Additionally, you can learn more about her illustrations and graphic design
at juliebonnerdesign.com.
