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Shades Of Wine Country

September 14, 2024

Artist Julie Peterson paints colorful oil landscapes with a rich palette of vibrant hues

“Valley Fall” painting by artist Julie Peterson

Interview by editor John Vitale

Editor’s note: Click here to view the actual pages of this article as originally published in the Summer 2024 issue of Washington Tasting Room Magazine.

WATER-BASED OIL PAINTER Julie Peterson has a gift for capturing colorful scenery found all over Washington, from vineyards to wildlife. There’s a rich and gleaming quality to her landscapes as a result of many hours spent devoting layers of paint to each composition.

“This is a great state that offers everything an artist could ask for,” says Julie. Her oil paintings have been exhibited in many art shows in the West and are defined as traditional realism.

A fulltime painter since 1996, Julie and her husband currently reside in Tonasket, Wash. “My husband has been my biggest supporter of my career as an artist,” she says.

“Vineyard Quail” painting by artist Julie Peterson
“Thunderhead in the Valley” painting by artist Julie Peterson

Julie shared a few of her artistic insights in a Q&A session with Washington Tasting Room Magazine:

Where do you draw inspiration?

I remember my first camera I bought with the money I made from sales of my artwork and how happy I was when I got to go out and photograph landscape scenes. I enjoyed driving and sometimes getting a little lost—the inspiration I found was remarkable. It’s one of the things I still love to do today.

What do you enjoy most about painting vineyards?

When I look at a vineyard I see rows of green new life, and come fall a harvest for wine. The vineyards are part of the patterns of the landscape that I find so intriguing and somewhat challenging. The light of day is always changing the way the vineyards look.

Do you have a disciplined schedule to complete 20 new pieces a year?

Actually 20 pieces is minimum; right now I have painted over 30 pieces and that doesn’t count the ones I’m painting for two more upcoming art shows. No, I am not disciplined—I love to create. I get excited to go into the studio in the fall season when all the outside work is done. I use all the research I have collected, and then I start to collaborate what I’m going to paint during the wintertime.

“Sunrise Blue Mountains” painting by artist Julie Peterson

My two favorite places to paint are Walla Walla and Sequim, WA. I also offer one-of-a-kind originals. People appreciate that their purchase is special and that the original they own belongs to no one else.

Your landscapes have an easygoing natural feel; is that by design?

I appreciate art that you can connect with. Easy to understand. Been there. Memories. Patrons are always complimenting me on that they could just walk right into the painting. It gives me such pleasure hearing that my art has meaning to them.

Your paintings appear to jump off the canvas with light and dark tones that create synergy.

Contrast is important and it helps with the depth. The different shade of the same color helps to bring definition to the rows of the vineyard and plays on the light of the sun, because of the density of the grapevines.

View the Art

Julie Peterson’s work can be viewed (and purchased) at Main Street Furniture Co., located at 128 E. Main St., Walla Walla. Reproductions of her paintings can be purchased in high-quality canvas giclee prints and other medium options through her website at www.juliepetersonoilpaintings.com. In addition, Julie is available for commissions of custom artwork for wineries and vineyards.

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About the Magazine

Tasting Room® magazine is the ultimate authority on the Washington wine scene and your personal tour guide to wineries, vineyards, destinations and travel tips, and artisan foods, chefs and artists. In short, Tasting Room is a metaphor for life’s simple pleasures that pair remarkably well with wine—touring, food, travel, culture, recreation and people.

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