Meet Jules Kuhr | Artist

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

Hi Jules, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a wild thing. But a good thing. Even though it’s absolutely terrifying. What if I quit that job? What if I move to that city? What if I completely change my entire life? I’m fortunate enough to be in a place where I can take risks. So I did quit that job, I did move to that city, and I did switch up my whole life. Truthfully, I don’t remember my emotions while it was all happening. I didn’t have time to think about it. But looking back, wow. How’d I do that shit.

I moved to LA in July of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Which seems really insane like, what hell was I thinking? A year prior I moved to Arizona to go to a school I had never seen or heard about. I just trusted a woman over the phone and a website and bam before I knew it I was moving across the country.

Taking those risks took a lot of trust and faith. I took them because I felt like I had no where else to go. A quick google search led me to find my school in Arizona which later led me to LA. And I was crazy enough (brave enough? stupid enough?) to take the chance. But I am really happy I did. Opportunities I could not even imagine have come my way and it’s only because I took that jump.

The first 8 months of my LA experience taught me how to be resilient. That pandemic was no joke. I came here to be an artist but I had to take care of essential needs first. I had to figure out where to live and how to sustain myself out here. Even with no help from unemployment I managed to push through. I’ve already learned so much and developed a more prominent voice being around incredible, talented, and brilliant people in LA. I am truly learning so much from them. And THAT is why I needed to make it work here. These people are helping shape me into the artist I want to become.

I cant sit here and tell you that I am “all-knowing” on risk taking. But I can say the risks I’ve taken have been super volatile. It’s where I learn and grow the most. I feel my work is never done and I will always be changing and discovering new parts of myself. Exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time.

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 something I still don’t understand. For awhile I was a painter. But slowly overtime became burdened by it rather than enjoying it. I didn’t want to look at a canvas. I was simultaneously going through a really dark period in my life. I was struggling mentally. Very confused and not content with life. I felt many doors close in my face and struggled to find ones that would open.

So I dropped painting.

It was then that I found relief and healing in working out and moving my body. I had always been an athlete, but I really started to practice weightlifting, running, HIIT training, etc. That is now a vital practice that helps keep me sane. It gives me time to focus and gives me the quiet time I need to think.

The school I randomly found and dropped everything to go to was a school for sound engineering. I had no prior experience or knowledge, but film and music always interested me. Ironically, it was one of the things that scared me the most. I had a desire to sing, to perform, to dance. But lived in fear of being judged by it. When all doors slammed in face and I didn’t know what to do next, I reached a point where being judged was the least of my worries. Now I just needed to find what made me happy.

So I went to that school. And I realized my fear of being judged came from my lack of experience/knowledge in the field I wanted to go into most. I felt I couldn’t be categorized with the people I aspired to be. But how could I? I had no experience. The only way to be in that world, was just to enter it. Beginner or not. So that’s what I decided to do. Fully immerse myself with it and somewhere along the way I’d learn the things to get me to where I wanted to be.

Since attending that school, I have gained so much knowledge, experience, and confidence. I am currently a mixing assistant at a post-production house by day and a musician/artist by night. I am working on developing a sound and a voice for myself. I had my first live performance a couple weeks ago in a loft downtown. Of course our car got stuck in a parking garage overnight (rookie mistake), but it was a still a monumental moment for me.

And since coming out of that dark place and managing to make it through the pandemic, I feel my artistry and creative brain coming back to light. I feel new ideas and new perspective. And hell, I’ve even starting doodling again.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay, I haven’t lived here long, but there are a few spots I’ve found that I really enjoy spending time at.

First and foremost- food. Something very near and dear to my heart. My favorite restaurant to go to is Gracias Madre in West Hollywood. It’s got a great environment and the entire menu is vegan. Which I love that.

Another thing I enjoy doing is going to the the hilltop restaurant Castaway, in Burbank. I haven’t eaten here (I should probably should give it a try) but I do love to park in the back of the parking lot, sit on my car, and look out at the view. It’s really pretty and super relaxing to do. Coming from Ohio, it feels nice to be around the greenery and feel some space. Sometimes I’ll bring my notebook or sketchbook and just relax.

Beaches. There are plenty of beautiful beaches in California but the one beach that I like to go to is Topanga Beach in Malibu. It’s never too crowded and not too commercial. I went one day and took a nap on my beach towel and listened to music. Then I walked over to sit and watch all the surfers come out in the evening. Really cool.

Another one of my favorite things to do is grab lunch to-go and take it to Verdugo Park in Burbank. I’ll set up a blanket or towel and eat my lunch while watching people play pick-up soccer or volleyball or flag football. There’s always runners on the track or people walking their dogs. I will go here to workout occasionally too. It’s nice to go here when I need to get away from the hustle and bustle of LA.

Dessert. One of my favorite places to get dessert is Erin McKenna’s bakery in Larchmont. Again, lots of delicious vegan options which makes a healthy girl happy. I went to this bakery for the first time in New York with my mom many years ago, so it also holds a sentimental value.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my Mom, Dad, Ella, Maria, and Eva (& Nola). You are the solid ground when my whole world is shaking uncontrollably. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.

Instagram: juleskuhr

Other: Website in progress 🙂

Image Credits
Branden Bell, Maya Yahoum, Megan Wu, and Chloe Johnson