The Backstory Project

So if you follow me on instagram (@julieolsonbooks), you'll know I keep pretty busy with various things in my life...kids, exercise and art being the main 3. And maybe that's why I blog less and less. But in the day to day, I don't often stop to think of how I got to where I am in my life. Do you? I had the chance last week to reflect on how I got to be where I am in my illustration career when I...

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Summer Adventure and Deadlines (Oregon Coast Itinerary)

This summer was almost as busy as last summer as far as illustration work goes. Therefore you see my MAJOR lack of posting. I've been working on illustrating four 32 page books in a series for Zondervan (imprint of HarperCollins Publishing). I began them last fall and turned in the last of the artwork on the 14th. (my deadline was the 15th My challenge every summer is balancing work with spending...

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Oppose the new US Copyright Act

The Illustrators Partnership has brought to my attention the efforts of lobbyists and big business (especially internet businesses) to change the US Copyright Act. The proposed changes would essentially allow anyone to use any art that has already been published without paying to use it. So they are proposing a law to make stealing art legal. Sounds dumb, right? Well I guess when enough people throw enough money behind something, they think they can make something legal (and therefore right in...

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Indianapolis Temple Coloring Page

Out in my home state, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is building a new temple. This is amazing to me as the closest temple to my hometown (while I was growing up) was out of state, a 6-8 hour drive away. And now there will be access to a beautiful temple for so many more people within a short distance.  I'm so excited for my Hoosiers who now get a temple of their own. The open...

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Payson Temple Downloadable Clip Art

I just want to share something too beautiful not to share... (not the picture of it, but the place) Payson Temple, Photo Credit: Julie Olson Look at this temple the #paysontemple. It is gorgeous inside and out. Until the end of May 2015, any person of any religion or walk of life of any age can go see this beautiful piece of architecture and art in Payson, Utah. It isn't far from my home (only...

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Writing For Charity

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (yes, this is a little late but hey, it's still March) This image was actually done completely digitally in ArtRage on my Yinova Tablet Monitor. I've been really busy trying to finish up 2 books worth of final sketches all due at the beginning of April. One of the book's sketches are done, and the other is 1/2 done. Lots and lots of sketching going on. But it's pretty...

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2015 Valentines Printables

Hello my friends! If you are like me, you are once again trying to get your kids' valentines boxes made and all those valentines signed and ready to go. But why go to the store...here are some free valentine printables. This year the card can be made double sided.  download and print the images below,  double sided, then cut in 4ths (For personal use only, not for resale, copyright Julie...

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Groundhog Day 2015 and Caldecott Announcement

In honor of Groundhog Day 2015, Amazon has placed my "Tickle, Tickle! Itch, Twitch!" book on sale for today. Don't miss out on your hardback copy for only $7.79 and have some tickle tickle fun with your little one. In this book, Gus the groundhog gets an annoying little itch on his back that he just can't scratch. Through a series of seemingly unfortunate events, Gus finally gets that itch scratched and makes some new and unexpected friends. A great read-aloud, this book will have you and your...

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Deadlines & Presentations & Fun

I decided to do a little exploring and sketching in ArtRage this morning. I really love the character that came out of it. What do you think? This month has been very busy. You always think that after the holidays life won't be so chaotic. But everything you put on hold for Christmas celebrations comes back to hit you in the face in January. At least the weather here in Utah has been pleasant...

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