Julie McNair’s clay and mixed media sculpture is reflective of the natural world and our place in it. The Telluride-based artist makes freestanding figures that are well grounded as well as smaller figures designed to hang on the wall. Using mostly female figures to express a nurturing element, Julie is suggesting the need for more gratitude and love of the different (unique). The playful quality of her work is still forefront.
Julie McNair studied sculpture at North Texas State University and the University of Wyoming. She taught ceramics and sculpture at Mississippi State University until 1983 and served as the Director of the Art League of Houston.
She moved to Telluride in 1985 and operated her own gallery until 2003. Julie has been involved with the Ah Haa School for the Arts as staff, instructor, and volunteer since 1991 and used to frame for Telluride Gallery. Her work has been represented by many galleries in the Southwest. Fringe Gallery is proud to represent her work in Telluride.
Clay is her preferred medium because it lends itself to her intuitive creative process. Once the form is created and fired, it becomes a blank canvas without a clear narrative. It is in the finishing that everything comes together. Julie incorporates glazing with oil pigments, acrylics, stolen ink (gel medium transfers), graphite, prisma colors, fire, and anything that might create an interesting effect. The pieces are titled to assist in the narrative while leaving interpretation open.
