Hi there! 🙂 I’m Jules. I’m a multidisciplinary artist, online art teacher, mom of two amazing girls and one very spoiled rescue pup named Sam, married to my best friend and partner in all things, and living and loving life in Portland, Oregon. For me, making art is a form of meditation. I’m constantly exploring new ways to bring beauty, creativity, and joy into the world.
I know I just told you that I’m an artist, but I really think of myself more as a “creative explorer.” I’ve done just about every form of 2D art you can imagine, as well as dabbled in some 3D art projects, as well. Plus I blog about art journaling at www.JoyfulArtJournaling.com. But below you can read about some of my favorite ways to make art…
In my portrait work, I love to get to the heart of human emotion. When I make a portrait – if it makes you feel something, I’ve done my job. I love making portraits of all kinds of people, but I do tend to focus on women and non-binary folx.
And if you’re still reading (and interested) here is little more about my background:
I was born in Los Angeles, CA and was raised by an extraordinarily entrepreneurial mother, with help from a sweet and silly grandmother and a DIYing, homesteading, favorite aunt. I feel so lucky to have been raised, nurtured, and encouraged by all of them.
I grew up in the 80’s, influenced by the punk rock and rap scenes that were emerging at the time. I loved going to the shows and concerts, as wild and crazy (and sometimes dangerous) as they were. Seeing live music is still one of my favorite things to do. Some of my favorite concerts (so far) were: The Smiths (twice!), Band of Horses, Lana Del Rey, and I always try to catch Rachel Yamagata when she is in town.
I have had the privilege of learning from some exceptional artists.
I’m grateful that I am able to sell my art and that it’s currently in collections around the world, including the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the Philippines, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and London. And in almost every state in the US! The list keeps growing and I couldn’t be happier. My art has also been on album covers as well as book covers.
I moved to Portland in 2009 to attend PNCA, and have decided to make this beautiful, rainy little city my permanent home. The creative, vibrant community inspires me daily. I love being by the rivers here, and hope to someday own a floating home.
And a few tidbits of fun:
✓ My favorite meal is brunch — chicken and waffles with a Spanish coffee, please!
✓ I not only love making art, but collecting it, as well. I love tiny illustrations, vintage painted portraits, and large, minimal works. Next to home, art museums are one of my favorite places. I love the conversations that are started by art (even if it is sometimes only in my own head!)
✓ Speaking of favorite places, I’ve lived in many places (from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and even a tiny town in Northern California, population 994, among others), but in 2009 I moved to Portland – not knowing a single soul, and never having been here — thinking I’d live here for four years while I finished up art school, and then I’d move back to California. But I FELL IN LOVE with this little city! Now, I don’t ever want to move. I live close enough to the Willamette River that, when the weather cooperates, I’ll use any excuse to go have a picnic on the waterfront. Or a potluck with friends. Or a walk with my dog (aka my best friend). Or even business meetings. Or just to watch the sun set. Being by/near/on the water is definitely my happy place.
✓ I also love documentaries, books, and I hope that, one day, I’ll adopt another dog. And get a cat I’ll name puppy.
✓ I’m hopelessly addicted to tea, tattoos, TikTok, and audiobooks.