Julie Drew was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and grew up in suburban neighborhoods in St. Louis, Missouri and Spokane, Washington. Despite her city upbringing she was always attracted to the beauty of nature--mountains, oceans, animals, and especially flowers. Early on, art became a way for her to capture and participate in that beauty, and, eventually, her passion for art led her to choose it as a career. She received a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, USA in 1987.

In 1997, Julie moved with her family to Edmonton, Alberta where they now make their home. Her full-time art business has grown to include several exhibitions and shows each year, weekend retreats which combine art and spirituality, selling cards and prints of her work, art classes and workshops, and designing websites.

For Julie, art is an exploration into God's creation, an adventure into the depths and nuances of color, light, shadow and shape. Her main medium is the Lyra Rembrant, oil based colored pencil. Its has a rich, smooth flow and allows for intricate details. She also works in watercolor, combining it with the Lyra pencils, to add interesting textures and dimensions to the work.