Conversations with Julie Kradel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Kradel.

Hi Julie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
My journey into the art world started in my youth. Encouraged by my parents, as well as having a creative sister (who is also an artist), it was just natural to move into the art world. Even in our teens, my sister and I were ‘entrepreneurs’ in that we’d create out of flour dough food that was made for Barbie. After baking the flour dough, we’d then paint it with acrylics and watercolors, finishing with a fixative sealer. We also did the ever-popular and amazing decoupage (’70s). Selling our creations at the Zonta Winter Fair. The following summer, I went solo (16 years old at the time), entering one of the local art fairs with decoupage. I was thrilled and surprised to garner a third place. At the show, I received my first lesson being engaged with the customer. As an avid reader, I was reading when people came by my display. A gentleman stated to me, ‘You’re not going to make sales reading a book. Engage with people’. I still follow that advice to this day. In college (Horse Husbandry), I found I was much more adept at doing illustrations for extra credit than memorizing the skeletal structure of the horse (which I had drawn out to use as a study guide). Fast forward to marriage, children… children grown, then divorce. Throughout it all, I continued taking classes and workshops in various art mediums. Selling my work at local shops. Though through all those thirty-plus years, I continued my passion of art and horses. After my divorce, I was at a crossroad of needing a solid career. I was all set to go to nursing school. As circumstance would have it, lucky for me, I met an artist who is now my life partner. Which helped me step into the world I always had only dreamed of being a part of. With his help and the guidance of many other artists, Fat Pony Studios became a reality. I find being in the studio brings me such joy and peace. When other tasks take me away, I’m always excited to get back to create. Even when I’m not in the studio, I’m constantly creating in my mind the pieces that I will sculpt. I’m continually inspired by nature, my horses, dog, chickens and cats, the birds, chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, as well as the coyotes, foxes, and even the local badger, song lyrics, words and phrases in the audible books that I listen too in the studio, events in the world that involve wildlife. Even the events the involve the ocean. Our world is so fragile; we must do all we can to protect her. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Living – life is never a smooth road. There are always ups and downs. The biggest struggle has always been believing in yourself. Having that confidence to move forward after rejection. Approaching galleries, applying for shows is very similar to applying for a job. My resume was and still is my images of my work. Again, I was so fortunate to have a group of seasoned artists that accelerated my learning curve. They were there to critique my images, my booth, as well as how to approach galleries, apply to shows. I was fortunate that all the galleries that I’m in saw my work at shows and invited me to be a part of their gallery. 

Honestly, I never really felt that I struggled. I would get frustrated at times when pieces blew up in the kiln. Or when a piece wouldn’t be going as planned while I was sculpting it. These were just minor inconveniences that were all part of the learning curve. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a clay sculpture artist. My work is animal based. Hares, bears, foxes, chipmunks, and horses, etc. I’m known for the feeling of joy and happiness that my pieces invoke in people. Some call my work ‘whimsical*’. Which as an artist who wants to be taken seriously, I struggle with that description of my work. Though the definition is very accurate of how people view my sculptures. I’m proud that I have been able to make what was once a hobby into a career that I actually can live on. There are so many out there that are so skeptical, hesitant about making a ‘living’ as an artist. It can be done just like anything; it takes hard work, listening to mentors, learning from your mistakes, and getting over your ego. 

What are your plans for the future?
I’m constantly reevaluating and learning. I’d like to do some really large pieces. I’m planning on entering a piece or two in the next call for work at the Dennos Museum (every couple years the Dennos has a Michigan artist exhibit). Next year, I’m planning on a trip to the United Kingdom to attend a workshop with Brendan Hesmondhalgh that I had planned on taking in 2019. We all know that year many plans had to be put on hold. I’m content with the four galleries I’m in. I do miss doing shows (Art Fairs) as I love the artist community…I miss seeing my friends and meeting new ones…plus having interaction with the people who purchase my work. On the other hand, it gives me more time to be in the studio, as well as more time at my farm. I’m conditioning horses to do distance riding. As well as a surprise new addition this past spring of a beautiful colt. I’m also training to run a half-marathon next spring (2024), which has been a goal of mine to do the year I turn sixty-five. 

Pricing:

• My pieces range in price from 100 to 3500 with the majority of them in the 325 to 650 range.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fatponystudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatponystudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatPonyStudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-kradel-33a56533/
• Other: https://hannigallery.com https://www.higherartgallery.com https://jpettergalleries.com https://www.phoenixgalleryart.com

Image Credits
Julie Krade
Fat Pony Studio