Meet Julie Mendoza | Abstract Artist & positive minded

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Mendoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I am a Mexican American Artist who pursue a creative artistic career as a hobby because art makes me feel like myself, it allows me to create and open my soul to the world. My full time job is a special ed assistant; thanks to the teachers I work with allow me to experience art with my students, learning their disabilities allows me to learn different material to use with, to create art projects for them to enjoy in the moment. Art has been my savior when I get depressed, it brings me back to life and when I create it’s therapy for me. I realized in 2017, I was in the art studio late to finish my oil painting for an assignment, I had an anxiety attack due to failing a psychology assignment. I was feeling helpless with my life and didn’t know how to cope with my emotions. I started painting with a palette knife continuously, until I slowly told myself to not give up. calm down and finish my art work. The painting is called Chaos, where I realized the power of art, letting the wind take me in; listening to the ancestors, and mother Tierra. Knowing that I can create something enigmatic in my artwork to hopefully inspire people with their mental health. knowing that there’s different ways to be creative in every individual’s life at any moment of despair.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is based on creating multicultural, cosmic, and spiritual art, and through it, I am free. In my art, I use lines, colors, and texture to create spontaneous patterns; focusing more on self actualization. I make jewelry, oil painting, watercolor, and mix media involving organic forms. My work incorporates imperfection lines as it reflects myself as a human being. In my paintings and drawing I start with a wavy line, displaying more lines, and improvising in my artwork that gravitates me to nature forms. As an artist, it hasn’t been easy as I would doubt myself in my art, but after learning through life I overcame it, by creating what makes me happy. One of my challenges is when I start a new project, I have the habit of making use of leftover materials in creating new projects. I overcome it by returning to the same project and telling myself to start a new one when I finish. Also trying to balance my life with family, friends, work, and my hobby. I try to overcome it by making a planner every day of what I need and I want to do and then checking them off of what I accomplished. I graduated from Cal Sate Dominguez hills got my Ba in Psychology and minor in art, to hopefully one day I can help people through art and become an art therapist. I am a hard working, caring, and persevering person. I learned that art is a healing energy of chaos and ecstasy. I want people to connect through my enigma art by diving into a spiritual universe letting your internal and external mind flow. Don’t let negative people discourage your talents. Live in the moment. And know that (The creative you is eternity.)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I like to explore different places and foods. I love to go hiking at El Arroyo Pescador Trail, fishing at Venice Beach and Long Beach. Relaxing with friends and family at Whittier Recreation Park. My favorite food is homemade red chicken enchiladas. Legend Hot Chicken, Olive Garden, Island Burgers and a taco place near my home is like 5mn away.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to Fairtrade Long Beach, for being my first vendor spot. I was very shy and nervous at the beginning, but thanks to them I was able to share my artwork and slowly gain confidence in the business world. After being there for 2 years, I was able to meet other vendors like my friend Ty, a very cheerful person who is also an entrepreneur. Also an organization called Buddha Blend is also vend there which is located ear the beach, thanks to them I was also able to display my art work as well. I love how I’m able to be out there displaying my art work and connecting with people. I want to give a shout out to my family and husband who supports me and my business, always motivating me, and being there for me when I need them. I want to give a shout out to my bestie Cat, who has also been there in my ups and downs giving me honest opinions. Who is a great listener and together we plan and talk about art projects. Shout out to my high school art teacher, who valued my artwork, and made me feel that art is my life. I want to give a shout out to my aunt, rest in peace, who passed away 8 years ago. She is the reason why the process of my artwork has reshaped my views on life. Up until her death, I became lost, and it opened a new world for me. I’ve assimilated that living in the moment is the best time to live in because anything can happen. Every day I’m still learning and growing.

Website: https://juls-enigmaart.com

Instagram: @juls_enigma.art