We were lucky to catch up with Juliet Hillbrand recently and have shared our conversation below.

Juliet, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Every piece I’ve worked on has meaning to me, even the failures. I love bringing to life a memory, dream, or vision that someone has in their head. Some customs that come to mind are – a set of guitars I painted to honor a man’s brother, A daughter asked me to use her mother’s ashes in an abstract painting, and illustrating poetry books.

Even my personal experiments are valuable learning lessons that I find to be very meaningful. Failures and flops are not without value. I grow from each strike of creativity and I see the evolution of everything I’ve learned, even the mistakes.

For non-customs, my most meaningful piece is probably the first piece I ever created, “Iris: The Goddess of Growth,” because she took over 3 years to complete and was such a meditation for me in patience and flow. I nearly gave up on her many times, throwing the canvas across the room and almost never finishing her. But after hundreds of hours, she willed herself to be created and now has sold hundreds of prints all over the world. The original is not for sale :)

Juliet, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I didn’t know that picking up a brush 7 years ago would lead me to this journey, but my world has completely been transformed by color. After exhibiting in 25+ gallery shows, selling hundreds of originals, and being named “Top Artist of The Year” and an “International Contemporary Master” – I know that art is where my heart feels at home.

I love others projecting themselves into my artwork and when someone feels an emotion or connects to one of my pieces, it shows me how powerful art truly can be. It is our humanity splattered on a page and there is a reason that humans have been unable to stop creating for thousands of years! We have an energy that needs to be released and shared with the world, to inspire others to do the same wherever they feel most creative (in cooking, media, business, parenting, and living a beautiful life). A home surrounded by pieces that feel like you can be very grounding and self-identifying. I think art has the possibility to heal, and it is a craft I will spend my entire life dedicated to.

I recently showed at the Paris Art Fair and have pieces exhibiting in Milan and Rome. With more international offers coming through, I am hoping to share my work with a larger audience and expand my inner circle of collectors, currently spread across America, Europe, and Australia.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My life has been a turntable of pivots! I want to start painting with more themes of snakes or butterflies, because I am fascinated with the idea of shedding old skin and evolving into something new. It seems like a skill I’ve become professional at, living so many different lives and being open to changing forms throughout all of them.

Here’s the fast version! About 10 years ago, I was a waitress and bartender for many years. I thought I wanted to major in business, then I changed to media, then marketing. Then worked in real estate, dropped out, became a leasing agent, then a hotel manager, then a travel agent. I saved money, traveled the world, and got free trips (the only real perk of being a travel agent!)

After a lot of struggle, I realized I didn’t truly want to do any of those paths.

Then I pivoted towards my art and took on clients that deeply resonated with me, I developed a freelance business that I worked 5 years to grow. I tried art school but hated being told what to paint, so I dropped out of art school and continued as a self-taught artist.

Around the pandemic in 2020, I changed course once AGAIN to re-enter the corporate world, but in the form of a holistic health company where I thought I could do the most good by empowering a wider audience. After climbing the corporate ladder, I lacked fulfillment and knew I had lost myself again.

I knew that I was happier being my own boss and had to prioritize chasing my own freedom and bliss.

My last pivot was in 2022. Coming back to myself as an independent creative, a freelancer that wears many hats: Artist, designer, writer, editor, marketing consultant, career coach, etc. To stop pretending that I’m something I’m not.

My direction was not easy to pin down, but it’s malleable enough for me to live my happiest life. It’s open to change and I’m 100% sure I will pivot again. But now, I only work with clients that bring me absolute joy because we resonate on the same frequency. I can work from anywhere in the world and take on any projects that I desire. I learned to be less attached to the journey by staying focused on how I wanted to feel in the future.

I hope my twists and turns can inspire someone to realize that healing is not linear and purpose is not found overnight. It can be a very windy road and sometimes that’s where the best stories are made. Sometimes your truth will be exposed to you in the most unexpected of ways. Sometimes it’s hard and you want to give up. You CAN give up if that feels right and maybe it will lead you to where you’re meant to be. Just be sure to savor the gems found along the way! It really isn’t about the destination because you’ll never arrive there, it’s an imaginary finish line that we’re all striving for endlessly. Live softly and learn to enjoy the now. That’s where the magic is!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Artists supporting artists is a great place to start. Many people feel competitive with their peers but we can all lift each other up in this creative industry. We can support artists by attending more exhibits, sharing more artwork online, and buying local art instead of printed replicas that are mass-produced.

By engaging with an artist’s content, spreading the word, and shopping locally – we can support our communities and foster more space for creativity. This surges innovation in every industry and mirrors humanity’s needs, wants, and current state. It is a reflection of our humanity and there will always be room for more artists, more seats at the table, and more room at the top. A thriving ecosystem of unique thinkers comes from knowing that everyone has something to offer and every person can be creative, regardless of artistic ability.

Sending lots of love to all my fellow creatives and be the magic you wish to see in the world! Xoxo, J

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.juliethillbrand.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliet_hillbrand/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-hillbrand-9a4577135/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulietHillbrand
• Other: https://juliethillbrand.myportfolio.com/