Other Work...

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum in Manitou Springs, Colorado redesigned their “Health and Culture” display of the ancient Pueblo people. Julie was hired to create 11 forensic portraits depicting different aspects of health practices of the ancient Pueblo ancestors, who lived 1,400 years ago.

The portraits were hand-drawn from various replica bones the museum had, then scanned, and digitally painted. The final step was to convert the painted portraits to digital metal prints for the display. Julie was excited to be a part of this project and help preserve the history of the Pueblo people.

Skull Study This panel shows the common use of cradleboards for babies led to the flattening of their skulls. The comparison skull is of a Cheyenne Native American skull. Julie created the lower portraits by studying both the Cheyenne and Pueblo facial characteristics than used several different references to create the portraits. For example, the portrait on the left is a compilation of several different people including both male and female.	Dental Study A large part of the ancient Pueblo diet was corn. This panel studies the role corn played in tooth decay of the ancients.	Headache Treatment Study This panel shows the common health practice used 1,400 years ago. For headaches sufferers, drilling small holes was common to release the evil spirits that was causing the headaches.
Spine Study This was a portrait of a young woman with a painfully compressed spine. You can note the areas of spine compression leaving her bone on bone. Also, it was evident she also suffered from tooth decay. You can tell she was younger due to her wisdom teeth had not dropped into place yet	Final Display Can be seen at the "Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum" in Manitou Springs, Colorado.	Process- Step 1 The first step was mapping the distinguishing points of each skull. This was done freehand carefully checking the accuracy of the points as it was being created.
Process: Step 2 The next step was to add shading and detail to the mapped drawing. Then, it was scanned into the computer to digitally paint. You can see the final image in the Dental panel, middle skull.	Process-Final Drawings In describing what it was like to do a historical forensic art project. Julie offered, "I realized as I was drawing these folks, they were actual people who roamed this earth and lived each day as we now have the opportunity to do. I could see how each one was unique and an individual. I felt a deep connection to them. I felt honored to keep their story alive. I would set their portraits in my studio so I could "have their company" during this creative process."

Other Work...

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum

Skull Study

Dental Study

A large part of the ancient Pueblo diet was corn. This panel studies the role corn played in tooth decay of the ancients.

Headache Treatment Study

This panel shows the common health practice used 1,400 years ago. For headaches sufferers, drilling small holes was common to release the evil spirits that was causing the headaches.

Spine Study

This was a portrait of a young woman with a painfully compressed spine. You can note the areas of spine compression leaving her bone on bone. Also, it was evident she also suffered from tooth decay. You can tell she was younger due to her wisdom teeth had not dropped into place yet

Final Display

Can be seen at the "Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum" in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Process- Step 1

The first step was mapping the distinguishing points of each skull. This was done freehand carefully checking the accuracy of the points as it was being created.

Process: Step 2

The next step was to add shading and detail to the mapped drawing. Then, it was scanned into the computer to digitally paint. You can see the final image in the Dental panel, middle skull.

Process-Final Drawings