Meet Julie Umberger | Analog Collage Artist

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

Hi Julie, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Valdosta, Georgia, a small town on the FL/GA border that cared a lot about high school football and very little about art. I sat at the kitchen table with magazine and greeting card scraps and created a world out of paper, ribbons, rocks and whatever pieces I was allowed to hot glue together. Being one of many kids from a large religious family, I fit all the stereotypes of being a middle child and constantly seeking to forge my identity outside of the boxed presets prescribed to me. Making something out of nothing was my specialty and I still pride myself on limiting myself to specific resources. I like the idea of solving the problem from inside the box, making my way out. As I sit at my desk cutting paper now, I feel like I am honoring little Julie.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I currently am focusing on creating analog collages. I primarily use discarded magazines and books and make women my central focus. I consider myself somewhat of a storyteller, by giving new life to old images. I like to pay attention to details so as the completed image appears almost seamless at times, making the viewer wonder if it is an original photograph instead of assembled paper. I get excited about using images that are overlooked or seemingly insignificant and giving them presence. I think there have being decisions during my life’s journey that I did not overthink and jumped forward with confidence, regardless of merit. Choosing to attend university to pursue a fine arts degree appeared the only logical path for me, and in that way it was easy. Completing that goal was not easy. Deciding how to continue arts professionally has been even more difficult. Deciding to continue to make art regularly is simple and complex at the same time. The desire to make has always lived within me, and it has been easy to honor that drive. To continue to make artwork professionally that does not provide notoriety or job stability is a daily struggle. Part of my brain has become accustomed to the false confidence mentality of creating regardless of the outcome and for internal pleasure and praise only. The part of me that would love for others to enjoy my artwork and celebrate creativity alongside me has to overcome obstacles regularly including: How to market myself? How to maintain a steady work pace that does not justify a steady income? How to price and sale artwork but not create specifically for the consumer? Respecting my time and career path without always receiving consideration or respect from critics. For me, it’s a fine line of dancing and falling and delusion.
I’m continually learning with every regular failure and stretch. The optimistic nihilist part of me helps keep in perspective that if none of it matters, than why not just be true to myself and forget the rest? There’s a significant amount of internal dialogue happening. I have lived by this motto: There will always be someone better than you at what you do. You will always be better than someone else. This does not change your value.
I would love to be able to reach my targeted audience. To be able to connect with people who connect with what I’m making and it could lead to further conversation and inspiration. I am content with the knowledge that what I am creating visually is not admired by everyone, but for some, I am exactly what they are looking for.

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.
I live in Columbus, Georgia, and love having first time visitors. A sunny day is the best because of the great outdoor things to do. Saturday mornings are for Market Days, good weather is for Columbus Botanical Gardens. Ziplining and whitewater activities give you an exciting interaction with the river that is the focus of our city. The Riverwalk that follows the Chattahoochee River is visually stunning. The variety of walking, biking trails and parks is a perk. Pasaquan is an incredible art and education destination featuring the home of the late St. EOM. Not much further away is gorgeous hiking opportunities at Providence Canyon. Columbus has a large selection of local restaurants, many of the best located in Uptown and walking distance from three different entertainment venues including the Springer Opera House, The Rivercenter for Performing Arts, and Columbus State University’s Riverside Theatre Complex. For Thursday evenings, The Living Room is an immersive artist performance space guaranteed to make you want to be social. Friday late nights offer No Shame Theatre, an open mic experience ranging from music to poetry to comedy. The mulit-leveled Columbus Museum is stunning and is not the only place to view incredible artwork. Columbus supports many art galleries including The Bo Bartlett Center, several CSU galleries, King Gallery, and others. I’m a firm believer to bloom where you are planted, but some areas just make it easier to grow.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My two high school art teachers, vastly different women with completely different styles and personalities. They were the first adults to look at my artwork and look me in the face and tell me I had a talent and that I should pursue it. I did not realize the gravity of their support until many years later and am grateful.

Website: julieumbergerart.com

Instagram: @julieumbergerart