Julie Oriet 

Julie Oriet began drawing and painting as a young child in Montana, though she never aspired to a career as an artist. Later while studying physical education at the University of Montana she continued her art studies. Although she was not encouraged by her professors to pursue art she completed her courses of study.

After graduation Oriet found a job at a sculptor's studio in Bozeman. She enjoyed the work so much that she stayed for five years and put off her career in teaching. The following five years were spent at a job painting decoys. The artist painted watercolors in her spare time and sold them at local shows. After a few watercolor workshops Oriet began experimenting and painting bigger pieces. She decided to devote herself to painting to see if she could make it in the art world.

In 1992 the artist exhibited her work at the C.M. Russell Show in Great Falls, Montana. She sold twelve paintings and signed on with two galleries as a result of the exhibition. Oriet has continued to exhibit every year at the C.M. Russell Show. She now paints in watercolors and often uses pastels for her popular sky-scapes.

Oriet's subjects include scenes from her travels in Mexico, Alaska, Italy, Spain, Morocco and Africa. Although she loves to travel, Oriet still finds inspiration at home in the West. She often paints on her backpacking trips close to home and she loves to go down the road to Yellowstone.

Source: Art of the West Magazine, May/June 2002