We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julio Martha a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Julio , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Becoming an artist isn’t easy; sure, some people are born with talent, but most of us aren’t. We have to learn and create, create, and create some more to become proficient in our craft, and we’re always learning and improving. I believe in pushing my creativity, and I also encourage fellow artists to step outside of their comfort zones. I don’t believe I will ever achieve perfection in my creations. I wish I had known this at a younger age; it would have saved me a lot of frustration. I used to be so ashamed of my photographs, paintings, and drawings because I wanted them to be perfect. I was afraid to showcase my work, fearing criticism for what I perceived as its inadequacies. Then, one day, a family member saw my work and encouraged me to display it at a film festival. This led to another well-known figure in my community’s arts scene expressing appreciation for my work and encouraging me to share more of it. These events and supportive people boosted my self-confidence in ways I had never experienced before. I distinctly remember breaking down in tears after completing one of the pieces I was going to exhibit at the film festival the night before the event. I needed that validation to feel proud of my work and to keep on creating. My biggest obstacle throughout this journey was myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Julio Martha. I am a Mexican artist born in Tijuana, Mexico, and I came to the United States at the age of 19. I have been a writer, photographer, and painter since a young age. I have been living in San Diego County for over 20 years now. I am an advocate for the arts, and I mentor artists who want to showcase their artwork, helping them achieve their goals with my experience. I love to encourage and am an avid listener. I believe that we are all artists, and no matter what type of art you create, it is beautiful.

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

Buying locally and supporting the artists in the little gallery around the corner or the booth at the art market can have a significant impact. You may not realize how much this encouragement means to artists and motivates them to keep creating. Reaching out to your local politicians and advocating for funding for the arts, schools, and books. It’s crucial that we inspire our children to engage in art and cultivate respect for it.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had a mentor at a younger age; it wasn’t until six years ago that I finally found one. Another thing I would have done differently is seek out friends who shared my passion for creating the type of art I do. Such friends could have directed me to the resources I needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sandiegoartsociety.com
• Instagram: sandiegoartsociety.com

Image Credits
All photos and art by Julio Martha