We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Velia De Iuliis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Velia below.

Velia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I think I was in denial for a while before I realized I could actually make a career as an artist. I did graduate with an illustration degree from California College of the Arts however shortly there after I started an uncreative temporary job and was pretty miserable. I would take my sketchbook into the bathroom and just draw to get away from the fluorescent lights and lack of creativity in my work environment. Soon after, I became a mural assistant and started traveling the world, painting and meeting other creatives. It was really inspiring. Simultaneously, I began building my own body of work, painting the flora and fauna that I had photographed on my travels. My work started showing in galleries and from there on I haven’t looked back.

Velia, 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?

My paintings reflect my interest in environmental conservation. I strive to have a scientific approach to making art through research of wildlife including the healing properties of plants. I find that in depicting both thriving and endangered species in my work, I can highlight the visual intricacies, patterns, colors and forms found in these individual specimens and their fleeting beauty. I think the connection to nature and conservation has brought me a diverse clientele. Brands that wish to expand their environmental message through artistic expression have reached out to work together. I find collaborations are some of the most exciting and fun projects I’ve had the pleasure to partake in as I get to work with other very talented creatives and see my work reinvented.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The people I meet and seeing my work have an impact. I think I will never get used to the idea that people actually want to buy my work and hang it in their homes. ha

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I will say, I’m not very good at it. I’m constantly overthinking about what I’m posting, the message, what time to post and how often. It is unnatural for me to film myself working and I often struggle with this aspect of the business. Thinking of instagram and tiktok as a digital portfolio helps and take some of the pressure off.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://veliadeiuliis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veliadeiuliis/