Julie Bonner Artist the Faces of Tucson AZ

Julie Bonner

Julie Bonner is a creative entrepreneur and has made Arizona her home for the past 17 years.

Born in Binghamton, New York, Julie was an artistic child from the beginning. She drew on any paper within reach and crafted handmade greeting cards for every occasion. Her middle school still proudly displays a mural Julie painted as a student and she earned her first freelance logo project from a local pizza shop while in high school. After earning her degree in Graphic Design from Drexel University and a Master’s in Business, Julie opened up her own creative studio, Julie Originals.

Blending her fine art paintings with her commercial design expertise, she created the Addy Award-winning Desert Dwellers Flash Cards. Inspired by a desire to teach her son about Southwest wildlife, each card contains amusing stories about desert animals from A to Z and feature Julie’s acrylic paintings. Local teachers, parents, and grandparents are using them to promote literacy and teach children about their environment.

She has served as Art Director for Mister Car Wash and Clear Channel Outdoor and today, she is the Marketing Director for FreeFall Aerospace. She is active in Creative Mornings, Local First Arizona, Startup Tucson, and the Arizona Technology Council’s Women in the Workforce.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We’ve got 3 smart and entertaining kids!

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love creating new art and connecting with people! This makes me happy.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress, El Charro Steak

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
17 years

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Our friend, Joe Pagac. Not only is he a fantastic muralist, but his stories are crazy and entertaining.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Back to Scotland and adventure into the Highlands this time. Some of my ancestors lived in Stirling and I’ve visited that castle. Amazing!

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
As a kid growing up in the 80s, I LOVED Back to the Future and still do! For TV I enjoy Shark Tank because I am entrepreneurial and it is very interesting!

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Help your neighbors. Each of us can make our community a better place.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Visit Greece.

Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
MUSE

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Pop-Cycle which is one the of retailers that sells my art. They support local artists and advocate for our creative community.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
The band, MUSE. I’d take them to The Cup to eat and then ask if they could play on the stage at Hotel Congress!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love our Tucson pride and support for local! I’m a proud member of Local First Arizona and enjoy promoting other local creatives too!

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Painting outside in beautiful places across the world.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I am adopted!

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I think Sedona is stunning. Alaska too!

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love October. We run the Bisbee 1000 annually and I really enjoy Halloween.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Spending a fun day outdoors with the family!

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My (future) husband, Jeff Brack. He’s super supportive and challenges me too. I feel lucky!

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I actually can’t smell. Weird random fact!

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
family, comfortable, respite

For All That You Do,
Thank you Julie Bonner from The Faces of Tucson.
We Appreciate You