Some of Julie Fakler's pet portraits displayed at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault.
COLORS, VIBRANT AND BOLD, first draw you toward Julie Fakler’s art in a current exhibit. But move closer and it is the expressive eyes that connect you to the subjects of her portraits, adoptive animals from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society in Faribault.
“I paint domestic animals and I was trying to think of a way to help out local domestic animals,” says this Faribault artist. “That’s when I came up with the idea to paint portraits of the animals at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society.” The local animal shelter will receive a portion of the sales from portraits sold during Julie’s current exhibit.
A snippet of a cat portrait by Julie.
Julie merges her skills as an artist and her passion for animals into acrylic hardboard portraits that practically pull the viewer in for a closer look.
Her work is showing locally in two galleries with “Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Portraits” at the Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Avenue, Faribault, through April 17 and “New Work” at the Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division Street, Northfield, through March 31.
Recently, I perused Julie’s PCA exhibit for the second time, this visit with camera in tow and with the artist’s permission to photograph her work.
Adoptable cats and dogs are the subject of her Paradise exhibit. A grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council and McKnight Foundation funded the body of her work and the gallery show.
I’m not a pet owner. But Julie’s engaging portraits will cause anyone to fall for these adoptable animals whose spirits shine in her creations. In her artist statement, this Minnesota College of Arts and Design graduate says: “The images of the animals represent their energy, personality and physical attributes.”
I agree. I remember the first time I saw Julie’s art, during a studio art tour in the autumn of 2010. Her use of bold, mostly primary, colors give her work a memorable, signature flair. I thought then, and still think, that her vibrant art would suit a children’s picture book. Or maybe t-shirts or handbags or…
The possibilities seem endless for Julie’s art.
The vibrant colors and sweet faces in Julie's art are irresistible.
FYI: Click here for more information about artist Julie Fakler.
Click here to learn about Prairie’s Edge Humane Society.
© Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Those are fantastic, such contrasts and brave colouring. i bet they are selling like hot cakes, i would buy one if i were there, they would look great on my orange walls! c
C, if you’re seriously interested in purchasing a painting, I bet Julie would ship one to you. Go to her website for e-mail contact info. Or e-mail me and I’ll connect the two of you.
Julie also does commissioned pieces, including farm animals. Go to this link to see a post I wrote about Julie and her art in 2010: https://mnprairieroots.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/inside-a-pet-portrait-studio/
Your farm animals would be perfect subjects for Julie’s work.
Thank you Audrey. I always love seeing my work through your eyes.
You are welcome, Julie.
I love this art. Such beautiful images of cats and dogs. You have great art on exhibit in Minnesota. xx
I agree. Great art here in Minnesota.
My youngest says that she’s going to be an artist when she grows up. Looks like she’ll be in good company here in MN!
Oh, that is wonderful. You ought to showcase some of her art on your blog. I’d love to see it and think how thrilled she would be.
yes, perhaps this summer…that’s a good thought!