Julia S. Rasor

Julia is an award winning professional figurative sculptor living in Fallbrook California who has merged her art and science careers - her works have been described as dynamic, edgy and dramatic - revealing an artist who has melded an intellectual understanding of human physiology and anatomy with a knowledge of mechanics from her life-long profession as a medical device inventor and entrepreneur (inventing the tools that physicians use, www.MedicalDevice.com), thus creating a dichotomic style and unique, expressive body of work (www.ModeArtGlobal.com).  She explores a wide range of media - steel, mesh, ceramics, concrete, plaster, bronze, wax, mixed media and often incorporates found wood and rusty steel artifacts thus upcycling discarded materials to preserve the environment. Sculpture series include world events (The Recession), the afterlife (Spirits), high fashion (Haute Couture, Avant-Garde), and strange departures into the unusual (FractAliens). Her works are exhibited at a variety of venues, shows, and galleries including the San Diego Botanic Garden. She has created an art immersion experience for artists and collectors at her San Diego Artist Retreat - a mountaintop avocado ranch studio and gallery - where she holds open studio and private tours, workshops, and retreat events.

Please tell us more about your background and how you began creating art?

I was lucky to have parents who were expert at what they pursued – mom a business expert and entrepreneur in fashion and medical technology and dad an engineering physicist inventor, also an entrepreneur. I drew from both of their strengths and with a Masters Degree in Physiology became a medical device research scientist and an inventor with numerous patents – I invented the first ultrasonic contrast agent that became an over $100M/year revenue medical product. I began as a Senior Scientist, moved on to Manager, Director, and VP of Clinical Affairs and then as an inventor and CEO started a number of medical device companies with my parents (MedicalDevice.com).

I stumbled on the fact that I could sculpt less than 15 years ago and have transitioned to becoming a full-time fine art sculptor. I am now an award winning self-represented and published artist who exhibits upon invitation. Since 2013 I have had 8 solo shows and 8 featured artist exhibitions and over 30 other juried shows.

What does your art aim to say to the viewers? 

Personally, I hope my art inspires, provides a feeling or message, or just causes curious wonderment.

 It is interesting for me to see how others view my work. Fellow sculptors and art industry experts have said:

 My art is “Dynamic, edgy and dramatic” - Sculptor mentor/instructor, Palo Alto, CA

 “Love this work – its authentic, distinctive and intense” – Exhibition Sales Expert, professional with 30+ years of fine art sales & gallery management experience, produces, manages and coordinates fine art fairs throughout the United States.

 “These works are absolutely brilliant! Congratulations!” – Gallerist and Art Agent for numerous VIP actors, masters, and contemporary artists, Lahaina Hawaii.

 “Julia used a clever technique of a book with two sides, separated but together, contrasting beautiful flowing classical sculptures with technically oriented angled and curved abstractive works. This was an effective means of expressing the two sides of her characterʼs role, the scientist entrepreneur contrasted with the sensual artist.” – Sculptor/Pharmaceutical Company Executive, Los Altos, CA

Do you have an essential philosophy that guides you in your creative expression?

I focus on sculpting the human figure.  My interest in this subject arose through years of study of the human body as a physiologist/medical scientist.  In creating my art, I allow my feeling at the time and the particular medium to lead my exploration into forms that inspire, provide a feeling or message, or just cause curious examination.

Figurative sculpture satisfies an intense drive to connect through the ‘people’ I create.  I am drawn to the vast expressive possibilities the human figure elicits and, as a scientist, continually explore unusual new media.

What art marketing activity do you put into practice regularly that works most successfully for you?

When asked, I give private on-site tours of my mountain-top home studio and gallery. When invited, I enter competitions and exhibit with galleries. Instagram has been a way to connect with art lovers and artists all over the world.

Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your daily routine when working?

I always have a number of sculptures in progress at a time.

Often when I wake up rested, my brain is on fire with 3D visions of sculptures I would like to make – I can rotate the vision in my mind. They aren’t in great detail, just poses of the figure and the feeling that the piece will emanate.

How much planning goes into each artwork?

Usually none. I have a 3D vision. I do not sketch or measure at all unless there are specifications for an installation site or a particular sculpture size requirement. I just begin and go where the piece takes me.

What’s the essential element in your art?

That the viewer feels. If the viewer can relate to the emotion that the figure is emanating and their curiosity is aroused where they want to approach and look at the piece more closely, I feel I have a successful piece.

In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society? 

Artists not only express their inner world, but often speak to the times to which others relate. Artists’ art actually contributes to increasing the viewer’s brain reserve capacity:

as Dr. Bagan† said “Making art or even viewing art causes the brain to continue to reshape, adapt, and restructure, thus expanding the potential to increase brain reserve capacity.”

†Barbara Bagan, PhD, ATR-BC, professor of expressive arts therapy at Ottawa University in Phoenix, AZ (1999). Aging: What’s art got to do with it? Today’s Geriatric Medicine. Spring City, PA: Great Valley Publishing Co.

Are there any projects you are currently working on and able to speak about? 
I am researching and acquiring new materials to experiment with.

Website: Julia S. Rasor (ModeArtGlobal.com)

Instagram: Julia S. Rasor (@fineartsculpt)