Julie Riker received her BFA in Illustration from the University of The Arts and, after graduation, she worked on the restoration of the PA State Capitol for 6 years restoring original decorative finishes. In 1996 she started her own interior decorative painting business, specializing in murals, faux finishes, and hand painted decoration. She has painted in countless homes throughout the area as well as churches and businesses.

When not working for a client, Julie enjoys painting outdoors. Many of these plein air paintings serve as inspiration for larger studio pieces, but some stand on their own as observations of the beauty and variety of nature. She has participated in many national painting competitions and has won several awards - most recently the Artist's Choice Award for Paint Snow Hill 2016, the Plein Air Magazine Award for Plein Air Wayne 2016, Plein Air Salon, and juried artist in Plein Air Easton. She is past president of the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters and a member of the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters. Her work can be seen at www.julieriker.com.