My name is Julie, and I am a watercolor artist who specializes in creating custom, photorealistic watercolor paintings of your furry loved ones! I began taking watercolor classes in high school, and have continued to hone my skills over the last 15 years.

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The name "Swallowtail Watercolor" comes from the butterflies that used to lay eggs in our vegetable garden each year at the home where I grew up in Elmhurst, IL. I always loved their coloring, and so a swallowtail butterfly was the first thing I tried to paint on the day when I started watercolor classes. It turned out that watercolor was a LOT harder than I thought! I appreciate the challenge and subtle beauty of watercolor—it is unlike any other painting style. 

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I started creating pet portraits as gifts for family and friends, and eventually expanded my hobby into a business so that I can purchase quality supplies and continue to do what I love! Check out my Instagram page for even more examples of my work, and contact me via my website or email (swallowtailwatercolor@gmail.com) to request a commission.

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