Suzanne Valadon, The Blue Room, 1923, oil, Georges Pompidou Center, Paris, wikiart.org
Julie Bender, Table for Two, pyrography and acrylic on paper. © Julie Bender, shared with permission.
Julie Bender
From its Greek root, pyrography translates literally to "writing with fire." Pyrographer Julie Bender combines the intense heat of hot metal with paint brushes filled with color to create scenes depicting Colorado's diverse landscape and wildlife.
Julie Bender, On the Alert, pyrography and acrylic on wood.
© Julie Bender, shared with permission.
Julie Bender, Desert Prince (Arabian horse), pyrography on maple wood. © Julie Bender, shared with permission.
After graduating, Bender's career path took an unexpected turn as she got caught up in the computer graphics field and then as a project manager with web and software development firms. Later she worked for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta for 30 years.
Rediscovering art
Two events during this time steered her life toward artistic expression. The first was when Bender's beloved dog passed away. To ease her sense of loss, she decided to decorate a cherry wood urn. Through that process, Bender discovered pyrography. She had never worked in the medium before but threw herself into it, burning a realistic portrait of her friend. The second was being laid off from the CDC due to funding cuts. Bender took this as a sign that it was time to devote herself to pyrography.
She moved to Colorado where she found inspiration in the state's wildlife and natural beauty. As a wildlife artist and photographer, she spends as much time in the field with her camera as she does in the studio producing her art. "Learning and understanding animal behavior," she says, "allows me to tell the most interesting visual stories possible."
Julie Bender, Wild Thing, pyrography and acrylic on wood. © Julie Bender, shared with permission.
Breaking through stereotypes
As her reputation grew and her innovative work was recognized, Bender helped to break through the fine art community's traditional opinion that pyrography is a lesser art form. She began selling her art internationally to collectors and museums, found gallery representation, exhibited widely, and has been featured in numerous art publications. She is a Signature member of the Society of Animal Artists and a member of the International Guild of Realism. She also teaches pyrography.
A challenging medium
For Bender, the challenges and rewards of pyrography are all part of her artistic process. "I enjoy the risks that are inherent in this medium; its unforgiving nature," she says. "Once a mark is burned, it's always there. Working with a hot metal tip on paper was very trial and error in the beginning. I first used a paper that was too thin and my burn went straight through. Then I found a 300-pound hot-pressed watercolor paper that works very well and doesn't leave a mark on the opposite side of the paper.
"Subtle values are important in creating a life-like image, so getting those tones and values just right is a constant challenge — but also the greatest reward. I enjoy trying new ways to burn, using new tools, and having happy accidents. I push my boundaries with each piece. Accuracy, style, and imagination are key in creating evocative art."
Learn more about Bender's art at on her website or Instagram.
Julie Bender, All Hands on Deck, pyrography on maple wood.
© Julie Bender, shared with permission.
Award-winning artist Julie Bender is passionate about pyrography, which she calls "painting with heat." She says, "It's my life calling. Heat is my substance. Hot metal tips and paint brushes are my tools and source of inspiration. Paper is my canvas. Discovering innovative ways to express my artistic vision through heat and color is my greatest challenge and reward."
Based in Loveland, Colorado, Bender has loved art and drawing animals for as long as she can remember. Expecting to teach art, she received a bachelor of fine arts and a bachelor of science in art education from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
