Conversations with Julianne Wade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julianne Wade.

Hi Julianne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been drawn to visual art. I decided early on to pursue it, which led me to my art school experience at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

After that, I went on to earn my graduate degree in painting from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. I was able to be a part of the low-residency MFA program at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA.

Eventually, I made my way to Scottsdale, where I now work as an artist and independent art instructor. Being part of the local art community here has been wonderful. I’m able to work in the studio while also teaching, which I love.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me there has been a tension in choosing to spend time in the studio, especially when the world feels like it’s on fire. Sometimes making art feels indulgent to me compared to everything happening around us. I do see that creative work has its own kind of responsibility though, and that art can create space for connection and for healing. So instead of seeing my time in the studio as indulgent, I try to see it as contribution.

There is always the inner saboteur— as well as external critics along the way, with opinions about what art “should” be, what sells, or what’s practical. Over time, I’ve learned to filter feedback more intentionally.

Financially, choosing to be an artist sometimes requires a certain resilience. There are real challenges in sustaining yourself economically. I’ve had periods where I worked full time while trying to protect even small pockets of time to paint.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My paintings explore environments that reflect cycles of transformation, continuity, and change. Some works emerge from imagined or observed landscapes, while others move further into abstraction.

After moving to Arizona, I found inspiration in the atmosphere and energy of Sedona. The color, light, and subtle mysticism of the desert began to influence my palette and mood. I’m drawn to the way this landscape feels both grounding and otherworldly, and that duality often finds its way into my work.

In more recent pieces, I’ve explored the idea of interdimensional passage — creating large-scale abstract paintings that suggest portals or thresholds, spaces of transition between worlds or states of being.

Visually, my work is often recognized for its softness and luminous, dreamlike quality. People tell me that there’s a sense of calm and spaciousness in my paintings.

What’s next?
I love textile art and am looking into incorporating it into my painting somehow.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.juliannewade.com
• Instagram: @juliannewade