Beginnings: Julie Duell (nee Henderson) is a 6th generation Australian going back to the First Fleet of English convicts to arrive in Sydney cove in 1788. She also has lineage to many English free settlers plus a drop of American Shoshone Indian heritage for good measure! Julie was born in Hurstville, Sydney, NSW on 9th July, 1941 and continued to reside in Sydney environs thereafter. She was named after the month of her birth, July. Julie’s parents were both musical, artistic and encouraging of creativity – so within the environment of a solitary childhood in the bush, she flourished.
Over many prolific artistic years, Julie has painted under the names Julie Ferguson and J. Ferguson-Duell before simply signing her works Julie Duell. As a child, she studied art at St.George Technical College, Kogarah along with taking private lessons in singing. Adult years saw Julie resume her art studies, once again at St.George Technical College and then numerous short courses on the Central Coast, where – along with raising a family – she then became a prolific practising artist and art teacher since moving there in 1967 from Gymea/Cronulla regions.
Inspiration: Nature, children, a fascination for human form, body language, illustration and portraiture. Also a deep passion for Australiana through the fairy realm.
Mediums of expression: Painting & drawing in charcoal, oils, pastels, inks, watercolour and acrylics – with many works executed in mixed media. Julie’s book creations feature fairies in the form of Sprites, representing the spirit of the unique Australian bushland and are rich with full colour illustrations, rhymes and an adventure story. Julie has also manifested the Sprites in clay and resin models, animated stories, art jewellery pendants and plays for children.
Among a number of awards over the years, Julie’s first book “Bush Sprites of Australia” (a hand-made limited edition made over 1600 hours) attracted special recognition in the form of an award from the Riso Educational Foundation of Japan in 1985, along with 3rd prize in an International Postcard Competition that year. Riso delegates travelled to Australia for this special presentation. Julie later self-published a further version of “Bush Sprites of Australia”, along with “Forest Sprites of Australia” and “Joy & the Bush Sprites”, all of which are now offered free on http://www.kidsfuncorner.wordpress.com
Keen to share her love of the bush with children, Julie then wrote 2 environmental plays, making all the costumes and props in her home studio. Aided by partner Tony, Julie presented “Friends of the Bush” in 5 Central Coast schools with Kindergarten to Year 3 children in 2006/7.
In 2006 Julie wrote and illustrated “Somethin’ Fishy” – a tribute to her late husband, John Duell, an avid Naturalist. The book was launched at MacMasters Beach where she and John lived for 20 years and all proceeds were donated to Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary at Kulnura to help save endangered wallabies.
In 2015 Julie wrote, illustrated and self published “Fabulous Aussie Fables” – featuring Australian birds and animals paired with modern text to create fables for children. Now available on Kindle, this little book has great value in addressing many of life’s problems, inviting the reader to say what they think.
This brought Julie’s self published books to 5.
In 2008 Julie won 1st prize in the non indigenous section of the Reconciliation Week Aboriginal Artists Art Exhibition & Competition with her painting “Dreamscape 1”.
In 2010, she won 1st prize in the Rotary of Umina Portrait Prize for her portrait of partner, Tony La Spina (ex High School & TAFE art/ceramics teacher from Coffs Harbour.)
In 2014 Julie won 1st – Open Section Award in the Margaret Smith Memorial Art Prize at the Gosford Regional Show for her painting “Flamenco”:
Teaching: Over 40+ years, Julie has taught art on the Central Coast. Firstly at adult evening college for Dept. of Education, numerous private classes at her MacMasters Beach “Seagal Studio” and workshops for local Art Societies. She instigated the Central Coast Art Society’s Childrens classes in the 1980s and designed the CCAS logo.
Julie’s involvement with the Central Coast Art Society Inc. began in 1971 and continues to this day. She served on Committee from 1973-1977, Secretary 1974-1975, President 1985 and is a Life Member.
Around 2005 Julie combined with partner, Tony La Spina, in art teaching pursuits for Kincumber Community College and Art Society workshops. Now retired, Julie still enjoys teaching online through her websites, painting, writing and exploring textile art. She still enjoys singing, now with groups – but for many years sang vocal solos at various venues. Here’s a small sample from a rehearsal in 2001:
Websites: Since 2002 Julie has enjoyed much world-wide interaction through her websites:
http://www.julieduellcreations.wordpress.com – an overview of Julie’s many and varied creative works.
http://www.artintegrity.wordpress.com (this site) which offers a large range of free art lessons, including Youtube demonstrations on colour mixing and techniques.
http://www.kidsfuncorner.wordpress.com is a creative site she designed for children, parents and teachers. This site often enjoyed first rating in the Art category listings on “Kids Websites” during its lifetime.
http://www.primaryethicssupportmaterial.wordpress.com which offers an online read of “FABULOUS AUSSIE FABLES” written and illustrated by Julie in 2015. It features fables, old and new, in today’s language and illustrated with Australian wildlife. See home page for details – also available in print.
2016 saw Julie write a short NOVEL “Grandpa’s Box” which can be read at http://www.australianpioneers.wordpress.com as a free ebook. It draws upon many true stories from Julie’s family history in the goldfields of Sandhurst (Bendigo), Hill End and Palmer River via Cooktown in the 1870s.
Associated with the above site is a separate site centred on Cooktown involvements of Julie’s family. See http://www.cooktownharrisancestry.wordpress.com
Also in 2016, Julie created a website to feature her friend, TONY LA SPINA’s life and artwork, in celebration of his 90th birthday. See http://www.tonylaspina.wordpress.com This is especially precious now since Tony’s passing on 31.7.2017.
A new challenge for Julie from 2017 on has been Textile Art along with a return to oil portraits.
Olly-Woo with Who, Wot, Wen. Where & Why
Above: Julie enjoys painting on the front lawn of “Seagal Studio” at MacMasters Beach, NSW in 1990.
To be continued…thank you for viewing…please call again!
FREE ART LESSONS WITH JULIE DUELL 
Hi Julie,
My Grandfather was Hubert Bailey. I found your portrait of him yesterday when researching Coffs Harbour online. It’s a very good likeness and it was an lovely surprise to see him there. I will pass it on to our family. Thanks.
Jonathan Bailey Cooke.
By: Jonathan Bailey Cooke. on July 4, 2018
at 11:25 pm
Hello Jonathan, Thank you for getting in touch. The portrait of your grandfather was painted by my partner, Tony La Spina, who passed away in July 2017. If you care to email me: julieduell.artist@gmail.com
I can put you in touch with his family if you wish. I always loved that
portrait and think it is one of his best.
By: Julie Duell on July 5, 2018
at 3:43 am
I have a seascape of yours that i have loved for many years. It’s sunrise over a genle surf with black rocks in foreground. Purchased from Golden Cowrie on the Scenic Hway above Terrigal. Your address back then was Asca Drive.
Can you tell me year it was painted please? (Probably early 70s?)
By: Charles Sowden on February 7, 2018
at 2:14 am
Yes I remember it. I would say I painted it close to 1980. Glad you still enjoy it.
By: Julie Duell on February 9, 2018
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Great, thanks Julie. It’s living in Cairns these days.
By: Charles Sowden on February 9, 2018
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Hi Julie,
Do you remember painting The Rolling Hills of Dorrigo back in 1997 on an artists palette?
Robyn.
By: Robyn on February 7, 2017
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Not specifically Robyn, though John and I were so in love with Dorrigo we at one stage were planning to live there. Where did you see the painting?
By: Julie Duell on February 7, 2017
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Hi Julie, Thanks for sharing your knowledge in this site. These information has truly given me tremendous amount of help as an artist. Wish you all the good luck and great health.
By: avi on September 19, 2014
at 12:30 pm
Thank you.
By: Julie Duell on September 20, 2014
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Julie….Thank You for your honesty and beautiful spirited paintings and your gift of sharing your knowledge with other Artists..Deborah
By: Deb Tinker on June 6, 2013
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Well thank YOU Deborah for your kind comments. Julie
By: Julie Duell on June 6, 2013
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Hi Julie, You might remeber me! My name is Tracy I actually stayed with you for New Years in 1983 with a guy named David LeSage. You gave me a stunning chalk drawing of a captains head. Personally signed for me. Just letting you know it has been my pride and joy since you gave it to me. I had it especially framed in protective glass, It has hung in every house I ever lived in. Nobody was allowed to get to close. It looks as good as the day you gave it to me. Thank you so much for the pleasure it has given me. Tracy xoxo.
By: Tracy Perry on April 16, 2012
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Hi Tracy, Lovely to hear from you…a real “blast from the past” as it were. Thanks for the feedback re the pastel of the Captain. I did 2 of ship’s Captains – One 3/4 view with a pipe and the other a profile
wearing a peaked cap. I have a feeling it was the profile one you have. Anyway I am so glad it has given you pleasure and thank you for contacting me. I will email you personally. Julie
By: Julie Duell on April 16, 2012
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Hi Julie,I’ve been reading your advice on “Misting”in oils with great interest.I can now give it a go on a painting I’m trying to finish. Thankyou.
By: Joseph Faust on April 13, 2012
at 10:50 am
Thank you so much for your wealth of information. I love your work, i am working as a drawing master.i am expecting your suggestions regards
By: p.kathamuthu.drawing teacher on February 15, 2012
at 3:13 pm
Julie –
I found your site when looking for some advise related to drawing perspective. I am venturing out late in life to follow a dream, writing children’s bedtime stories and books as well as trying to illustrate them. I am not classically trained in either, so it is challenging, but I am being given an opportunity because someone influential the industry saw a raw ability worth developing. The first story is done, and now I am trying to illustrate it so it can be published on the web. It is a children’s story –
Thank you so much for your wealth of information. I love your work, and perhaps as I walk down this road our paths will cross. I was inspired when I saw your art.
Rich
By: richokun on January 28, 2012
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Thank you Rich. Glad to be of help. Good luck with your children’s book venture. I would love to know how you get on so do keep in touch. Julie
By: Julie Duell on January 28, 2012
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Finally, an issue that I am passionate about. I have looked for information of this caliber for the last several hours. Your site is greatly appreciated.
By: Real Estate on November 15, 2010
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again, love your site. glad I kept your name. Only wish I was as talented.
By: joan on July 19, 2010
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Hi Joan – Thanks for commenting. At the moment I think talent has less to do with success than patience and tenacity! e.g. I am presently struggling with learning animation and it is really hard work, often frustrating…so with everything that doesn’t work, I have to say “Well I can’t do that YET” (Always add YET). It’s time to listen to my own advice and realise there are no mistakes, only lessons. Good luck and happy arting…Julie
By: Julie Duell on July 19, 2010
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Hi Julie,
I fell upon you site just checking on perspective lessons. Do you have any easy ways to teach mutliple perspective drawing to students? I love your examples and the easy to understand instructions.
sara
By: Sara on July 2, 2010
at 4:24 pm
Hi Sara, I’m afraid I can’t suggest any easy methods to teaching multiple perspective. All I can suggest is imagining each object in its own invisible cube or box and treating each separately by drawing these boxes lightly and erasing later. Rather than perspective formulas, careful observation of shapes through a viewfinder may be more useful, as well as being aware of overlapping as things become closer to the artist’s viewpoint. By drawing lots of simpler perspective studies, one develops an inner sense of what looks “right” or “wrong” and sketches can be overlaid on a light table for correction. Good luck…Julie
By: Julie Duell on July 8, 2010
at 1:20 pm
Hello Julie – I have followed your advice from the example as per e-mail and what a difference it has made! Thank you once again.
My painting was originally meant to be a tree at the beginning of autumn but in the end I was not sure if the yellow spots were flowers or fruit!
Now it is a wattle tree!
By: Rina on April 18, 2010
at 10:40 am
Thank you Rina – glad to be able to help. Julie
By: Julie Duell on April 18, 2010
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Nice to meet you Julie! Your art lessons are fantastic – even an artist-to-be understands it. Thank you so much.
Your drawing of a wattle tree amazed me because I have painted something almost exactly like yours a few weeks ago with acrylic paint. The background is grey but the painting looks depressing and the grey does not look good with the appearance of the tree. Can you give me some advice please?
By: Rina on April 9, 2010
at 11:00 am
Hello Rina – Thank you for your comment. Re the wattle tree study, it sounds as if the grey background is deadening it. Maybe it needs some colour in the background or stronger tonal contrast to lift it. Generally we need to accent a feature (like your wattle tree) by light against dark – if a medium tone is set against another medium tone, the drama is lost. The complementary colour to yellow is purple, which really makes the purple “sing”. Perhaps you could work muted purply tones into the shadows or sky. Anyway – food for thought! Julie
By: Julie Duell on April 12, 2010
at 2:09 am
Hi Julie
I am helping to organise an Enchanted Rainforest themed Spring Fair for our community
I cam across your site while looking for enchanted rainforest themes on the net.
Would love to utilise your work in some way, any ideas?
absolutely beautiful!
Diana
By: Diana on September 2, 2009
at 9:31 am
Hi Julie
really nice website. I love your art.
I happen to have a seascape original by Barbara Duggan. This was transported the USA some years ago. I would love to write to barbara about the work. Do you please have an email address for her.
Thank you so much
By: mike dauria on June 5, 2009
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Nice to be a catalyst Mike. See separate email for details. Julie
By: Julie Duell on June 8, 2009
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Hi Julie,
Your work is just outstanding. Quite a talent! I am a mother of 2 and i find peace only when i am painting. I’ve been looking to take mixed media classes in new york city and i don’t know where to go. Maybe you can help me. There are alot out there but i don’t which are the best. Thank you Inji
By: inji on May 29, 2009
at 1:42 pm
Hi there!
Thanks so much for making contact. I understand completely your sense of
peace found in painting, particularly while you are
parenting (are they pre-school?). I used to really enjoy my little
time-window of peace when they were asleep.
I’m sorry, but I don’t know what is available in New York city in the way of
classes, but I suggest you join an Art Society if
there is one in your area. That way you will meet up with others with the
same interest and be able to gain insight into art
happenings through their meetings and newsletters.
Any local gallery should be able to direct you to an Art Society contact.
In Australia these Societies provide
a number of activities such as guest demonstraters, hands-on workshops,
paint-outs together on location and exhibitions
for members. That would be a way of assessing available tutors and classes
before commiting to a course.
If home responsibilities don’t allow you to attend functions away from home,
perhaps there is a friend you can invite
to experiment with you at home – mixed media can be a lot about play, using
collage and applying paint with many things
as well as brushes to get effects. If possible, you need to have an area
where you can be a bit messy, leave things set up and
call it your art corner/room.
A basic rule for mixed media is that you can add oil based paint over water
based – but not the other way around.
PVA glue comes under water based and is used for collage in harmony with
acrylic paint. Good luck, enjoy and many
thanks for your appreciation of the art website! Julie
Dear Julie,
I was still looking at your work and i am in love with everything you do. Simply beautiful. Thank you so much for getting back to me.
I have a 5 years-old little girl who has special needs so i use art as my escape…a kind of therapy for myself.
I am not very good but i really want to be able to do some good work in the future so i am holding there.
Thank you very much for you advises. And thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
Inji
By: Julie Duell on May 29, 2009
at 10:20 pm
I love your site. Keep it up !
By: knowledgetoday on March 30, 2009
at 7:33 am
HI julie i am base in narrandera nsw and have strted teaching some art classes here 6 months ago.. I am also an artist.
By: elizabeth on February 16, 2009
at 4:48 am
Thank you Cathy! I’m glad you are finding the blog of interest. It’s all about sharing and I am thrilled we can reach out across the world in this way to connect. Screen printing can be a really interesting form of art. My post on this is very simplistic for easy beginnings but it can be quite sophisticated with overlays and design, as you know. You may like to look at Nina Angelo’s work on post 28. Cheers! Julie
By: Julie Duell on August 6, 2008
at 11:23 pm
What a great site! I came via the fabric art tag in WordPress, and your screen printing entry caught my eye. My sister is a high school art teacher in Raseda, CA and she’s doing printing this summer on school break. I’m fascinated – she helped me do a simple one while I was out a couple of weeks ago. Then today I saw her overprint on her blog – intriguing:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-uyIefi01cKs6WtSdlcIKNrsx
Now I’m looking forward to reading the rest of your entries!
Cathy Tyler in Virginia
cathytyler.wordpress.com
By: cathytyler on August 6, 2008
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Reply to Netty Gritty:
I’m so grateful for your kind and prompt assistance re the image to post inserts! I’ve been limping along for a couple of weeks with only thumbnails & slideshows since the new editor was introduced and now, thanks to your advice, I can insert full sized images again.
I’ll be glad to join Bloggers United towards the Human Rights focus also. A pleasure to meet you ! Julie
By: Julie Duell on April 22, 2008
at 2:36 pm
hi julie,
i am glad your image problems are over.
i am also an artist! 😀
and it’s a pleasure to find another artist right here in wordpress.com!
By: Netty Gritty on April 22, 2008
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Hello Julie – Lovely to ‘meet’ you. A multicultural art project sounds wonderful. This is exactly what I hoped for in setting up this blog. Let’s share ideas. Are we thinking children or adults? Julie D.
By: Julie Duell on April 15, 2008
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Hi, loved your blog and very keen to share a multicultural art project with you!Teaching in Spain and also write stories for chidren.
By: julie on April 14, 2008
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It was so refreshing to see your Screenprinting on Fabric site. I teach screenprinting workshops in regional Tasmania & have never seen the steps so clearly laid out. Well done Julie!
By: Joanne Wild on November 18, 2009
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