We recently connected with Julie O’Sullivan and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

At one time, we were in the DCF foster to adopt program. After several failed adoptions, I put paint to canvas to work through the grief. I went through lot of red and black paint, but created some of my best work at this time. I recently brought one of my paintings in to show the designers at work, the boss came in and said, “What’s with the crazy painting,” “nice.” I work at a top interior design firm, so this was a great compliment. I did a lot of crazy paintings as I worked through these intense emotions and it was incredibly therapeutic. If you are going through something really devastating, paint it out. Get those emotions out of you. Speed up your recovery. Painting is powerful medicine.

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 abstract painter. I have dipped my hands into other forms of art as well. Art has helped me throughout my life. I grew up in a house with a stained glass studio and a darkroom. My father was always doing some form of construction on our house. This led me to take classes in painting, drawing, stained glass, photography, ceramics, and fashion design. I eventually got a degree in architecture.

After working for many years in architecture, I became burnt out and found that all of the design constraints were sucking the life out of me. I love the freedom of abstraction. I can breathe again and I am happy! I look forward to studio time.

I went from having my own studio to taking up residency at The Hive on Gallery Row in DTLA. I recently moved into The Makery in Little Tokyo. I love the support and sense of community I have found there. You can find me working there on weekends, I am happy to show you my studio!

I credit Kristine, at Shoebox Projects, for helping develop me into the artist I am today. Her professional development programs are vital for artists of every stage. I highly recommend all of her programs.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

After working for many years in architecture, I was burnt out. I was recruited right out of college to work at CVS Pharmacy headquarters on their remodel team. From there, I got pigeoholed into the world of big box remodel and construction. After building one to many Walmart shopping centers, the housing industry crashed and I left that world completely. I found that I had no friends outside of work and slept with my blackberry.

I took an abstract painting class and had to learn how to cope without the constraints of building codes and design guidelines. It was harder than it sounds, but incredibly freeing. I felt like I was starting to lift this great big weight off my shoulders. I had to learn to be free. At first, I was like a fish out of water. It took many years, but I have now learned to swim.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing about being an artist is learning to embrace imperfection. It is ok to draw outside of the lines and make mistakes. Be organic. Nothing is the end of the world, change is good. It allows you to grow. Continue to evolve, no matter how scary it seems. Be fearless! This is something I continue to work on. I have a really hard time at crowded art openings. So many people make me uncomfortable. I am now at The Makery, which has two galleries for me to work on controlling my anxiety. When it gets too much, I retreat to my studio, where it is easier to deal with a smaller group of people. The most rewarding thing about being an artist is that it is helping me learn to make friends, navigate uncomfortable situations, and to be resilient with critiques. I think no one ever stops learning. We can accept change and grow or retreat into a cave. I came out of the cave, and as scary as the light may be, I aspire to shine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.osullivan-arts.com
• Instagram: @osullivanarts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieOsullivanArts

Image Credits

Julie O’Sullivan