We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Haw a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me, has been my mother (and of course, father) always supporting my creative talents even from a young age – even through their own fears that it could be a more difficult life path for me.

I had an art studio in my parents basement growing up, filled with pens, papers, how-to books and art supplies. Through the continuous access to space, materials and a deep sense of parental nurturing I always felt safe to pursue my creative path.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am primarily an oil painter with an ingrained, and deep-rooted curiosity stemming from a rural Michigan upbringing, one that embedded memories of broad fields, mysterious woods, blazing blue skies and feverous sketching in a makeshift studio in my parent’s basement. That framework of bare-foot liberated youth, as well as living as presently as possible in adulthood, translates into my work as a now experience-rich blend of empathy and open-eyed perspective. The influences in my work draw first from that endless well of living a seasoned life, as well as traveling to perspective-shifting places in the world, daily meditation, hardships, the deep desire for continual education, and leaning into fear unabashedly.

My paintings are generally viewed as emotive, bold and color sensitive, and are often described as memorable. The content and message of my work emanates from a sincere examination of a broad range of topics, with a high focus on themes surrounding feminism, fear, faith, intimacy, control and death. I highlight aspects or objects around me that are often considered by most to be arbitrary or mundane, but which are actually laced with undertones of those political and social themes. I tend to give people that have been marginalized or stigmatized in society, a platform of respect in my paintings. The elevation of the overlooked, both animate and inanimate, feeds my work. One of the highest goals I strive for, is simply providing my audience with a palatable entry-way into approaching more difficult subject matters, by harnessing the use of intrigue, humor and beauty. This approach creates a safe groundwork in order to facilitate thought-provoking dialogue, and ultimately shared human connection. I am above all a narrator telling the story of this moment.

My work has been exhibited internationally in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and in the U.S. at the Chicago Cultural Center, IL State Museum, P.S. 1 Biennale (New Orleans), and various other galleries located in Michigan, New York, Illinois and Louisiana.

I live and work in the US and Cambodia primarily, and currently serve as the director at The River Gallery in Siem Reap.

All of my paintings upon completion are for sale, and my works have been placed in private collections globally.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m a firm believer in pivots. I think about them and celebrate them a lot…. I’m of the mindset that unless one is experiencing massive preventative health issues, it’s never too late to pivot in life in order to pursue something different and potentially mind-bending.

I like to live a little “ridiculously,” meaning I care to keep my own self on my own toes – what is life without magnificent surprise?

Recently, I pivoted quite dramatically. I never once considered being a gallery director, as for the last 15 years I’ve been in pursuit of my own painting career and have achieved some success from it. The pivot into being a director and selling other’s work has been deeply enriching to my spirit. It just hits different right now putting time, faith, energy and money into other’s careers, particularly massively underrepresented Khmer artists, as the climate of contemporary Khmer art is extremely burgeoning in Cambodia and it’s a thrilling time to be displaying these 2nd and 3rd generation artists coming from a very recently war-torn country.

There’s a huge potential shifting of ego with any pivot. While painting is still a concurrent life path and always will be, directing The River Gallery and placing Khmer works into public and private collections has become an extremely worthwhile and necessary global pursuit for my life.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I highly recommend The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. I recommend these two books for specific reasons.

The Yoga Sutras is insanely mind-bending. It must be read entirely and thoroughly — and it’s one of those books that you will refer to time and time again. Once read it doesn’t have to be read in a linear fashion moving forward. It’s a series of sutras in 3 separate books. I was so moved and transformed by this ancient text (2nd-5th century), that I found 5 more translations online and had bootleg books printed here in Siem Reap. The two translations I most recommend are by: Sri Swami Satchidananda and Swami Venkatesananda.

My overall reason for recommending The Surrender Experiment is that it’s very relatable, very readable and as one matures and elevates spiritually, you’ll realize to surrender is an actual miracle.

Both of these books are highly related to the true unwavering sense of SELF, as well as deep shedding of ego overall.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.juliahaw.com
• Instagram: Julia_haw
• Facebook: Julia Haw
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-haw-04044b41/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juliahaw
• Other: TikTok: julia_haw

Image Credits
Photos Copyright Julia Haw