Meet Julie Orr | Owner & Director of Art Lessons LA, Artist

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

Hi Julie, what matters most to you?
To me, bravery is one of the most admirable qualities in a person. A lot to times we see successful people at their peak, whether it’s an Olympian or Grammy award-winning musician, but don’t witness their failures and struggles along the way. In the book “Outliers,” Malcom Gladwell, analyzes different success stories and says he has yet to see a person “get lucky” with their success. He argues that people at the top have commonalities: they put in a very high amount of work, face difficulty, and seize an opportunity. There is no success without hardship so I believe you have to be brave enough to endure difficult times, naysayers, and disappointments, in order to be a master at something.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Getting an MFA really helped propel me to a greater level. If nothing else, it gave me the confidence to pursue art professionally. A few years after grad school, I started an art class and party business called Art Lessons LA that became a thriving business. We are a mobile school that serves the Los Angeles area with luxury art parties and classes, mostly to children, but cater to any age.

I am passionate about helping others find their creative voice but am trying to get back finding my own as well. It’s been hard making time for my own art with a full time business. Lately, I have been dabbling in painting. I am enjoying painting whatever feels exciting to me, without feeling the need to come up with a deeper meaning. My paintings have included tennis, aliens, cell phones and love. There is a neon color aesthetic and pop-art style consistent throughout the work. I’ve also noticed an element of escapism to all of my paintings, whether it be in sport, space, cell phone or lover. A painting of an alien in space and a tennis racquet on a pristine court represent an exciting place away from the everyday mundane.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love walking around Venice. My favorite walk is around Abbot Kinney, then veering west along Westminster Avenue to the boardwalk, checking out the skate park, then Venice Canals and back to Abbot Kinney. LA can be a hard place to walk so it feels special slowing down with a walk and taking in the people, salty air, and local shops by the beach.

I also love roaming around Main Street, Santa Monica, and stopping for an amazing coffee and lunch at Urth Cafe. Sometimes I’ll walk there after a tennis game at the Ocean Park courts by the beach. Another post tennis stop sometimes is Jameson’s Pub. I actually don’t even drink but I love their strawberry spinach salad and fish and chips. On a sunny day, it’s a fun spot to sit outside with food or drink, and have a chat.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents for supporting my Master of Fine Arts degree, even if they didn’t always understand my need to pursue art professionally.

Website: https://artlessonsla.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artlessonsla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artlessonsla

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@julieorr

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@artlessonsla www.julieorrart.com

Image Credits
Jesse Biltz