Julee Simmons | Figurative painter

JuLee Simmons began painting in oils more than thirty years ago, at the age of ten. That discovery unleashed a passion which has animated her life to the present day.

"Sometimes I wish I could make art like I did when I was young", JuLee recalls.

"There were no mistakes then. A bad drawing of a cow could turn into a pig. Now my work is more of a struggle. It takes a lot of insight and patience to make that mark on the paper deliberate and profound".

A native of Denver, Colorado, JuLee Simmons studied art at the University of Denver and completed her formal training at the San Francisco Art Institute.

JuLee then began her professional career as an artist for the Denver Nuggets and the Denver Broncos, and painted portraits and golf art for the Senior PGA Tour.

"Sports art sometimes is derided as mere ‘genre’ art, but I never looked at it that way. It permitted me to refine techniques which I still draw on to create Fine Art.

When I look at my early sports work, I see landscapes. I see figures in motion. I see portraiture".

During the 1990′s JuLee produced a limited edition print of baseball great Stan Musial, signed and numbered by Mr. Musial as well as by the artist. The first numbered print was presented to President Clinton during a trip by Mr. Musial to the Oval Office. JuLee also was an official artist for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Games, and published a popular series of calendars and cards through The Lang Companies.

In the late 1990′s JuLee traveled to Spain, Africa and Eastern Europe, where she lived for a year. Upon her return from Eastern Europe, she turned to new subject matter, mostly focusing on young women.

"I like the romantic perspective of the Nineteenth Century", JuLee says.

"Rather than focus on the ‘shock of the new,’ I prefer creating art that celebrates beauty. I try to create scenes that are timeless. When the viewer has nohistorical reference, it is easier to focus on the emotional content of the piece".

JuLee closely studies the work of the Nineteenth Century masters.

"Artists such as John Singer Sargent, J.W. Waterhouse, and N.C. Wyeth continue to inspire me", she says.

"Contemporary artists like to pretend that they are blazing paths that have never been walked before, but the truth is that we stand on the shoulders of the great artists who came before us".