How long have you been working at NIAD?
I’ve been coming to NIAD about 7 years.
What are some of your favorite materials to work with?
I like ceramics. I like to make bowls because I enjoy the clay. The colors are very important to me; red, blue, orange, pink. No black. I just don’t like it. I like bright colors.
I’m curious if you could tell me something about your drawings.
In my drawings I like different colors. I use colored crayons, paints, colored pencils. Using a ruler is an important tool.
What’s next for you in your practice?
I want to continue working. I want to learn sewing and to make pillows. I want to make new fashions, like a shirt or a jacket.
How do you like to work? Is there something important to you for creating new work?
I like to listen to music while I work. I like jazz and rock and roll. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson especially.
Is there someone important to you in your creative work? A mentor, teacher or friend?
I like to work next to Karen May. She does the same kind of work I do. We get along together, we’re close.
Do you have a favorite memory at NIAD?
I like the NIAD picnic. I like BBQ ribs, baked beans and potato salad.
// Julie’s available work //
exhibition history
Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD // Oakland Museum of California // May 2023
The Shape We’re in Feels Like the Colors of Hope, organized by Cynthia Branvall // NIAD Online Exhibition // May 2023
Rainbow Cat Picnic organized by Cynthia Ona Innis // NIAD Online Exhibition // March 2023
Making in Color organized by Edwige Charlot // NIAD Online Exhibition // November 2022
Superbloom, organized by Erin McCluskey Wheeler // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // April 2022
WIN WIN 10 Silent Auction Preview Exhibition // NIAD Gallery Exhibition // February 2022
Holiday Gift Guide #6: Win Win 10 Sneak Preview, organized by Isabel Xilonen Ortiz // NIAD Online Exhibition // December 2021
Through My Eyes, organized by Scott Hewicker and Cliff Hengst // NIAD Art Center // 2020
Ether Here Nor There: Anthony Grant x NIAD // NIAD Art Center // 2019
CE x CG x NIAD // Minnesota Street Projects, San Francisco // 2019
Hailing From Parts Unknown, organized By Curtis Turner // NIAD Art Center // 2019
Where They Want To Go, organized by Erin McCluskey Wheeler // NIAD Art Center // January 2019
All Of The Light, organized by Gina Borg // NIAD Art Center // 2017
Affinity, organized by Tim Buckwalter // Museum of Northern California Art, Chico // 2017
Julie MacDonald // NIAD Art Center // 2017
Variations On a Theme, organized by Robert Wuilfe // NIAD Art Center // 2016
New Kids On The Block 2 // NIAD Art Center // 2015