We were lucky to catch up with Julie Martinez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

The best boss I have ever had is my current boss–my husband! I know that sounds crazy, but it’s so true. My husband is an incredible person, a supportive partner and a great leader in the workplace. My husband, Allen, is a Chiropractor and opened his own practice called “By Design Chiropractic” located in Addison,TX in late 2020.
At the time, I was working in a really unhealthy work environment. The stress and pressure of the job was only exacerbated when we were sent to work from home permanently, during the pandemic, when lockdowns happened. My mental health was really suffering and I had terrible creative block.
Allen worked so hard to create a beautiful, healthy business so that I could leave my toxic corporate job. In January of 2022 I was able to finally quit my job and join him in building our business. It has been such a beautiful experience to be a part of something that I really care about. I have met so many amazing people and I feel that I’m in a place that I can actually grow as a person.
I’m so incredibly grateful to Allen. I love our clinic, I love our patients, and now I have plenty of free time to work on creative projects as well.

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

Hi, everyone! My name is Julie Martinez and I’m a 30 year old artist. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon (I take great pride in this fact). I moved to Dallas a month shy of my 21st birthday under the pretense that I would only be here for 6 months to a year and ended up staying permanently. I am not a full-time artist. I wish I was, but I am not. I work alongside my husband in our Chiropractic clinic called By Design Chiropractic and in my free time, I paint.
I have always been inspired by pop art and the bright colors used in that style of artwork. I love experimenting with color, texture and subject matter. I want my art to be joyful with a sense of whimsy.
I am inspired by artists like Sari Shryack, Crystal Ma, and Andy Warhol. I stay inspired by artists that I meet every day, through art shows, social media, etc.
I love to create and I love connecting with other creatives who really push me to try new techniques and styles.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In early 2018 I finally began to put myself out there and get involved in the Dallas art community, and began participating in local art shows. It was far outside of my comfort zone, but I wanted to push myself and I thought it would also be a great opportunity to create community within the art world. To my surprise, my art was actually selling and I was building my confidence by facing my fears of rejection. Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and everything began to shut down.
Lockdown was a scary time for absolutely everyone. There was so much uncertainty concerning the state of the world, our families, our friends and it left very little mental capacity to effectively create.
The art communities that I was a part of began to disband and I really began to feel lost in general.
My hours at work were cut for a good portion of 2020 and I really needed something to do to pass the time. One of my good friends unexpectedly commissioned me to do a custom 48″ x 60″ abstract painting for their bathroom remodel, which really pushed me in the best way! I had never done a project of that size and I was so pleased with the result.
I got a few more commissions in 2021 and began to work on some more really fun (and really large) projects. I also started experimenting with resin and mica powders after being inspired by Crystal Ma’s giant resin art pieces on instagram. One of my close friends commissioned me to create a 6 ft abstract resin piece for their home, and I had a couple of mountain painting requests that same year.
Honestly, my friends and family kept me resilient with their faith in me and a desire to see me create.
Never give up! People believe in you–I promise.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Don’t buy mass produced art. Instead, buy from the artist you know. Support a real person.
Most artist don’t price their pieces unreasonably. Art is always a worthwhile investment anyhow. Art brightens the world, gives your home character, and supports someone’s dream. If you are at a local art market or you see an artist trying to sell their work…support them (if you can, of course)! There are so many art markets and art festivals that are great opportunities to support local artists and creatives in your community. Go to the local community theater shows, donate to art initiatives. The world is so much more beautiful with all forms of art in it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jubacca719/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieMtzArt