About Me

Juli Ann Blanco

As a girl growing up in San Diego, California in the 60’s and 70’s, I was influenced artistically by many sources . . .countless days at the beach, childhood playtime with my nine siblings in tree houses and ponds, a pool and avocado groves. My parents and older siblings were creative people as well. My father had his own construction and remodeling business and my mother filled our home with her piano music and designed and sewed wonderful clothes for us.
Over the years my influences grew through my life as a wife and mother, traveling all over Europe and living ten years in Madrid, Spain. I aquired my formal art education from Utah State University while raising my three kids. Today my focus as an artist is two-fold: teaching art to people of all ages in private and school settings and painting Murals and Public Art.
Creating in a large scale invigorates me. I have completed many murals in both commercial and private settings. I enjoy working in acrylics or water based oils. I have had experience showing my artwork in gallery settings as well. I welcome new artistic challenges.
If you are someone looking for art instruction or mural work, please contact me. I would love to embark on a creative experience with you.

REDWOOD TREE APARTMENTS MURAL

This new mural was commissioned by Brooke Brandow, owner of the lovely Redwood Tree Apartments in Davis, CA.  Brooke approached me one day after noticing me getting into my van with the  "Murals by Juli Ann" magnetic signs after our Jazzercise class.  She had been wanting a Redwood forest scene mural painted in the laundry room of the apartment for years.  So about two months later, we are both very pleased with the results.  Crisitna, my daughter, assisted me with this transformation working on many of the details.  There is a squirrel, a racoon, dragonfly, blue jays, banana slugs, rhodedendruns, etc...  Have a look!

  

Redwood Forest Mural

This Saturday October 2, 2010 will be the Artist Benches Dedication at 10am to 11pm in front of the VanGogh Bench. Enjoy refreshments and visiting with neighbors and people from the City of Davis when you stop by to celebrate the new public art I had the pleasure to create!

ART ABOUT DAVIS APRIL 8TH 2011

THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH MY FAIRY ART AND OTHER CHILD-FRIENDLY ART WILL BE SHOWING AND FOR SALE AT ALPHABET MOON TOY STORE IN DAVIS, CA. IT IS PART OF THE ART ABOUT DAVIS EVENT. I WILL ALSO BE DOING CHEEK AND HAND ART!

COME SEE ME!

This Saturday October 2, 2010 will be the Artist Benches Dedication at 10am to 11pm in front of the VanGogh Bench. Enjoy refreshments and visiting with neighbors and people from the City of Davis when you stop by to celebrate the new public art I had the pleasure to create!

"Garden Variety"

Monday, October 18th, 2010 was the day I finally finished an 80 ft. long mural for a kindergarten playground at Marguerite Montgomery Elementary in Davis, CA. Shelly Wickwire, the school principal had been wanting one at her school for about 2 years. Finally, she has it! She wanted a garden theme based on the bi-lingual song by Charlotte Diamond, "Each of us is a flower, growing in life's garden. Somos como las flores en el jardin de la vida." The sun, moon and rain are all featured in the song as well as the mural. Shelly gave the mural the title, "Garden Variety". We worked together to make the mural really colorful and full of a variety of flowers, creatures and even some fairies. Two of her own pet kitties are featured in the piece, Sadie the big black cat and Katie the playful siamese-mix kitten. One of the kindergarten teachers requested a turtle be included in tribute to the class pet/mascot, "Frank". They are called the Turtle Class. Frank is prominently featured in the lily pond section.

The intention of this artwork besides brightening up plain brick walls and sparking children's imaginations, is to express the message that the song clarifies: we all have the same needs as we grow in this world and each of us has something unique to contribute. This makes our world beautiful!