Meet Julie Edwards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Edwards.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Since I could grip a crayon at just a few months old, I began scribbling the contents of my heart onto paper (and other things I shouldn’t have drawn on!) I discovered through my worldly travels as a child to Japan and England that I was filled to the brim with inspiration and expression. I knew from a young age that everything is more sophisticated than surface level if you challenge yourself to look and think as deeply as you can. In my case, I think in visuals and in narrative. I developed my skill throughout childhood and eventually studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Phoenix, where I received my degree. Since then, I have been illustrating children’s books full-time. My first book, a collaboration with author Kaitlyn Pierce, is “Binka Bear and the Magic of Willowspring,” an adorable fantasy book which helps young children to give up their pacifier. (We are going to be launching the book this year!) Today, I am working on two new children’s books simultaneously, and I will keep my social media updated with news and sneak peeks of my progress.

Please tell us about your art.
Each of my paintings are born out of a dream factory unencumbered by the pressure of expectations or systemic influence in the world. It’s all part of this phantasmagorical melting pot of sugar-coated stardust, magic, and emotive expressions that all live inside of my brain that I try to visualize for others to experience. If there’s one overarching principle in my work, it’s that everything is in a constant state of earnest and yearning. That, for me, is the otherness people inadvertently push away and simultaneously yearn for. When I began taking art more seriously in terms of a career, I thought a great byproduct of a pretty picture would be self-expression, but I was met with so much more than just that. I was met with my own set of truths and realities through my art. I discovered that we have allowed ourselves to be detached from truth and reality, for the purposes of an easier and simpler life. But my ultimate goal is to stay as in touch and as intimate with myself and the earth as possible. Life is full and rich once you strip away the mundane and the unflavorful. Let’s savor the beautiful things, and not just the beautiful pictures, but also the beautiful words, the beautiful minds and the beautiful moments, where art is just one way to make that more accessible and more authentic.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Making a complete living as an artist is not something that is going to happen at first. (unless you’re incredibly lucky!) My advice, find a job that pays your bills and dedicate every minute of the rest of your time to your craft. Stay up into the late hours of the night creating and building your brand and online presence. During this time, save as much money as you can to provide enough to live off of for a few months after you leave your job. This way, if no paid work comes around for a while, you will have enough money to live on. As a freelance illustrator, I have learned that the more savings you have, the less desperate you will be for the low-hanging fruit type of work. Nothing feels better than to have enough value in myself that I feel comfortable with turning down the crappy work and still be able to put food on the table. When you do so, you make room for the RIGHT work and the people who DO value you!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I recently launched my new website. https://julieedwardsdesigns.myportfolio.com/ I post new art to my website and social media accounts frequently, so give me a follow to stay in the loop! You can also find merchandise of my art in my society6shop: https://society6.com/myfriendsoftheforest

Just search myfriendsoftheforest online and you’re bound to find me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://julieedwardsdesigns.myportfolio.com/
• Email: julie.edwards.designs@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfriendsoftheforest/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Myfriendsoftheforest/
• Other: https://society6.com/myfriendsoftheforest

Image Credit:
Portrait of Julie photography credit to Ashley Marie Photography

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