By WILL PERKINS
Glasgow News 1
When Julie Johnson was a student at Glasgow Middle School, she was determined to become an artist.
Last Wednesday she spent the day painting a new mural on the wall next to the same art room where she honed her craft, and that evening she was featured during the 10th year of the annual Visiting Artist Series.
“That was always my dream, but I didn’t really think it would be this soon,” the 19-year-old said with a laugh as she painted a Scottie dog on the wall while being observed by Jennifer Fritsch’s art students. “I thought I would be 30-something before this would ever happen.”
Johnson said she was once sitting where the students were — being inspired by visiting artists such as Kelsey Montague — and she wanted to return as an artist herself one day.
“It’s kind of crazy how everything just worked out,” she said. “It was just the plan from the beginning.”
Glasgow Middle School art teacher Jennifer Fritsch speaks to her students as visiting artist Julie Johnson paints a mural last Wednesday next to the art room. Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
Fritsch said there was no doubt who she wanted to bring to Glasgow Middle for the 10th year of the visiting artist series.
“I knew from the beginning that this is what she wanted to do,” Fritsch said of Johnson, who created her own brand and business: Art by Julie Mae. “Starting small but working to build her brand and already having a brand at age 19, knowing that I’ve seen it since sixth grade.
“How you go from student to business owner in six years is pretty accomplished. Seeing that whole circle is very rewarding.”
Fritsch described Johnson as dedicated, passionate and hard-working.
“In sixth grade talking to her, she knew what she wanted and she’s never veered,” Fritsch said. “And seeing that much passion is very rewarding as an art teacher — and as an artist, because now we’re colleagues. We’re no longer just teacher-student. We’re in this playing field together now.”
Johnson’s new mural features a Scottie Dog and the Picasso quote: “Every Child is An Artist.”
“Every child is an artist in some way, shape or form, and then I get to add my own little touch to it,” Johnson said. “I think a lot of it is my Scottie roots. Even though I graduated from Barren and moved to Barren, once a Scottie always a Scottie.”
Julie Johnson paints a mural as Jennifer Fritsch’s art students observe last Wednesday at Glasgow Middle School. Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
Fritsch said she still looks up at the decorated ceiling tile that Johnson made when she was in eighth grade.
“Now she gets to grace the halls across from Kelsey Montague,” Fritsch said. “Which is just powerful.”
The placement of the new mural means a lot to Johnson.
“It’s really cool,” she said. “It’s right where the art room is, where I spent most of my time when I was here.
“It’s really a full-circle moment.”
Julie Johnson and art teacher Jennifer Fritsch pose in front of the mural Johnson painted last Wednesday at Glasgow Middle School. Photo Courtesy of Art by Julie Mae
