We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julianna Lazio. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julianna below.

Julianna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I can confidently say that I am happier as an artist than I would be in most other professions. Every job, no matter how much one loves it, comes with its own challenges and rewards. There are certainly challenges I have come across in the unstable and ever-changing world of being an artist. However I knew long ago that enjoying what I do everyday is worth it. Growing up there were times that my family struggled financially but things always worked out one way or another. So I know that any career obstacles I come across will be able to be overcome and will also be worth it. The joy and fulfillment I get from creating art and sharing it with others is something I love and do not take for granted.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have always had a passion for art despite initially pursuing a degree in forensic science. I draw inspiration from a variety of sources but resonate strongly with science, nature, and the tranquility felt through the familiar routines of unremarkable, everyday life. As someone who struggles with anxiety I feel compelled to destigmatize mental health issues while demonstrating how I find solace in my private life. Through my artwork I hope to encourage dialogue and reveal depth with which viewers can relate.
My goal as an artist is to evoke an emotional response in viewers through the use of expressive figures and intimate details of daily life. The familiar ebb and flow found in the fabric of our daily lives is what I intend to incorporate in as many compositions as I can. Through my process of building up layers and integrating evocative figures and fabric into my work I hope to allow a viewer to connect with the piece and resonate with the emotions they find there.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The moment that I realized art can be seen in everything around us was a notable one. We tend to think of “art” as this high-class concept and in some cases that’s true. But art surrounds all of us in multiple ways. Every object we see was at some point designed by someone before becoming a reality. Every piece of media we consume, be it classical literature, a romance novel, or a popular tv show was created by an artist (or many of them). I believe that acknowledging this fact goes a long way in supporting the arts and understanding how vital art is for life.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

It took me awhile to accept the fact that it is okay to change and it is okay to fail. In fact change and experimentation are necessary for personal and professional growth, particularly in the field of art. When I first started my art degree I had a very specific idea about what the best style of art was. But I slowly came to realize that there is no one right kind of art. Each viewer resonates with something different and it is unreasonable to assume there are one-size-fits-all styles of art. How are we supposed to grow into the best versions of ourselves if we do not continually work to improve and never stop being willing to learn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juliannalazio.com
• Instagram: jlazio.fineart
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/julianna-lazio-94696b266

Image Credits

Julianna Lazio