We recently connected with Julie Easton and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project in my life is this beautiful fusion of teaching ESL and running an art studio. Let me give you the backstory.

For over more than 40 years, I found myself teaching English to thousands of amazing adults from literally every nook and cranny of the world. Through conversation, without leaving the classroom, we traveled to one another’s countries– Brazil, Japan, Spain, Indonesia, Burma, China, and the list went on and on. It was very invigorating and exciting orchestrating this kind of language and cultural exchange. Yet, while helping students become proficient in English, I noticed a hunger for more than just grammar and vocabulary. They craved connection and community, and in an enormous and disconnected city like Los Angeles, finding a place to call home is not an easy task.

And so, the lightbulb moment arrived. I thought, why not merge my love for teaching with my solitary art practice, and voila – the art studio adventure was born.

What makes this project so meaningful is the transformation of the art studio into a magical space where art and culture collide. My ESL students aren’t just mastering English; they are sharing their stories, challenges, and victories while we work with our hands. I find myself informally teaching English vocabulary through natural conversations that the students generate, while we tear and dip objects into paint and laugh over language mishaps.

The beauty is in the community we are building. It isn’t just about conjugating verbs or perfecting brushstrokes; it is about creating a haven where people can express themselves, learn, and appreciate each other’s uniqueness while finding a place to belong and form new friendships. My ESL students, with their tales from around the globe, become the backbone of this creative community.

Their influence has turned my art studio into a mini–United Nations of creativity. In exchange for working with me on my art they learn tons of relevant vocabulary and get personalized language correction while sharing stories and learning from one another. It isn’t just a project; it is a living, breathing testament to the power of connection and understanding.

So, in a nutshell, my most meaningful project? It’s this ongoing masterpiece where ESL and art collide, creating a canvas of culture, connection, and shared creativity that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

Julie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In my art practice, I find inspiration and creativity in the discarded and overlooked fragments of everyday life. I delight in repurposing cast-off materials, breathing new life into seemingly mundane objects. The essence of my work lies in transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, as I meticulously create pieces using unconventional materials such as cigarette butts, bicycle inner tubes, and cash register receipts. These seemingly disparate elements become the basis of my art to create a tapestry of textures, challenging conventional perceptions and prompting viewers to reconsider the value and potential beauty within the discarded. Through my commitment to sustainability and innovation, I strive to blur the boundaries between art and the everyday, inviting a fresh perspective on the unnoticed artifacts that surround us.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

In my creative journey, my primary goal is to infuse beauty, harmony, and a sense of calm into the spaces we inhabit. I believe that living in environments enriched with aesthetic appeal positively impacts our well-being. The creation and sharing of beauty serve as my guiding principles, inspiring a sense of tranquility and visual delight in those who live with my work.

Simultaneously, I am driven by a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. I aim to shed light on the importance of reuse and recycling of everyday objects. In our small worlds, every choice we make has an impact, and by highlighting the potential for repurposing and recycling, I seek to inspire others to be more conscious consumers.

By merging the realms of beauty and sustainability in my work, I hope to inspire a collective commitment to harmonious living and responsible practices. In essence, my creative journey is a celebration of both aesthetic pleasure and the pursuit of a more eco-conscious, balanced lifestyle.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist, what I love most is being able to follow my own curiosities and whims. I like to ask myself the question, “What happens if I…..?” The question often relates to experimenting with a specific material that is not typically associated with traditional art making, which in my case might be cigarette butts, bicycle inner tubes, or cash register receipts.

The aim is to create something fresh in the end. There are often many failed experiments, but when something finally gels, it can add up to a real sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

It is thrilling to take on the adventure and privilege of exploring with the possibility of uncovering something new daily, I truly find joy in problem-solving and constantly pushing boundaries, Discovering unique solutions, and expressing personal perspectives are seriously satisfying for anyone immersed in artistic pursuits.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.julieeaston.com
• Instagram: julieeastonart

Image Credits
Credit: Eric Stoner (black and white piece with two figures in it). Other images, credit: Julie Easton