We recently connected with Julie Martin and have shared our conversation below.
Julie, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I’ve not totally overcome imposter syndrome, but one thing that’s helped is to enter juried art shows. I haven’t always gotten into these, but when I do I’m just like the other artists that got in. I was chosen too even if they have a style that I admire, or seems special or popular. There are so many types of art being created that isn’t all the same. That’s what makes it interesting. My art is just as relevant as the next. We all have our own unique struggles and I am learning to be proud of my successes. One of my struggles is being a working contemporary artist in rural Northeast Ohio. I feel traditional artworks are more accepted in this region. I’ve been working on entering and expanding my audience. Trying to find “my people” is a relevant line for me. At a show in Chicago this past spring I was so pleased to get responses and questions from the event attendees. I sold several pieces and had a real feeling of belonging and value. I wasn’t an imposter at that art event. I don’t plan to move ( I have a fabulous studio space) and I’m not wanting to insult anyone in my neighborhood, but I do look for opportunities in places where I might hope to get a positive response.
So to overcome imposter syndrome I engage with other artists and collectors to know that what I’m creating is mine and it’s valid.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a contemporary artist living in Northeast Ohio with a background in graphic design from The Colorado Institute of Art. I also pursued a passion of painting while working as a graphic designer first in Chicago, then Akron and Strongsville, Ohio. Recently I’ve devoted my creative time to fine art making which has included sculpture as well.
It’s exciting to compose new and fresh contemporary artworks from traditional references. I take the rearranged slices printed or digital, and create from that as reference. I do not paint, then cut up the canvas. I enjoy the challenge of painting or drawing and having the final project come together as a whole new visual. With a defined fragmented style, I’m creating something compelling that is my own.
I’m delivering a painting this week to Columbus for the Ohio Arts Council 2023 Biennial Juried Exhibition. It’s special to be included in this exhibition. With 1,661 pieces submitted they chose 64 with mine being one of them. I would be proud to get in with a different percent outcome, but this one is pretty cool.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities:
1. Practice. Keep at it. Draw, paint, sculpt, sew, whatever feeds your soul to create.
2. Create what you believe in. It’s okay to paint something to make a living, but still create the things that you believe in too.
3. Be curious. Always look at what other artists are doing. Stay current in what’s going on. Not to change your art, but to be smart and find possible new places to display or enter your art. Being curious also can give you new ideas like – you always paint realistic images…maybe something monochromatic would be a refreshing change and still be in your style. Don’t copy, but other artworks can inspire you in many ways.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
There are a few impactful things my parents did for me. They weren’t artists, but had some creative sparks and saw that spark in me.
I grew up in semi-rural Colorado. My mom saw that I needed to do something artistic during the summer when I was only @6 years old. She signed me up for a summer school course at another distant school in our district. I took a school bus by myself to that school and made clay objects. I loved it. I appreciate that she understood I needed more even at that age.
I went to Colorado State University first out of High School majoring in the art program. After one year I realized I only wanted to take art classes and no more math, science, gym etc… so they were on board with me switching to The Colorado Institute of Art. Hind sight means I probably would have been fine staying at Colorado State considering I was still creating fine art when I was a graphic designer, but it meant a lot that my parents listened to me and let me go to another school.
Out of art school they also were okay with me moving to Chicago for graphic design opportunities. They supported my creative path.
Contact Info:
- Website: juliemartincreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie_martin_art/
