Meet Julie Meza | Multidisciplinary Artist

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

Hi Julie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work/life balance has been a bit of a struggle. I’m a working mom/artist so I have to figure out how to split my time between my part time job at the Mishawaka, making time to create all of the projects that are in my head, and getting my daughter around to school, soccer, and all of the other teenager activities ha. I am a professional procrastinator so I tend to stress myself out trying to get last minute projects done for some of the markets that I do locally in Fort Collins. I have recently tried to delegate my time better so that I don’t have to stress out before markets. I want to have more inventory on hand so that I’m not getting off of work at the Mish just to come home and work on stained glass things for the rest of the night. I’m figuring it out slowly but surely.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started drawing mandalas when I was younger and never really went anywhere with it. I only started to focus on my art when I moved to Fort Collins 9 years ago. My art has evolved greatly since then. I’ve gone from strictly drawing mandalas to learning how to screenprint, teaching myself how to work with stained glass, and on to making jewelry combining different mediums. Ive also been playing around with digital art.

I’m always proud of most things that I create—there’s a few things that I have to fix or change but I just see those as learning experiences. This was huge when learning stained glass. I’m self taught so some of my first projects are pretty rough but I really have learned so much and have enjoyed every moment of it. It’s such an amazing feeling being able to look at my work and love it so much, as well as having my community love my work.

I participated in my first “art show” back in 2017. I probably wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t have the push from friends and family. I started off making art as a form of meditation and as a way to express myself. I never intended to start selling my work but after getting such sweet feedback from people I felt inspired to make my art available to those who love it. I continued to try and be a part of community events as often as I could between working multiple jobs. When covid hit, I felt stuck so I decided to take a long break from anything creative and focused on other adventures. It wasn’t until January 2022 that I got inspired to teach myself stained glass. I’ve loved every minute of it.

Everything that I do creatively is self taught, I enjoy doing all of the research to learn something new. It’s not always easy staying motivated and sometimes I doubt myself and my talent, but getting positive feedback from the community is what keeps me in a positive mindset.

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?
First up on the list has to be the Mishawaka Amphitheatre. I may be biased because I work there but it really is a special place. Lunch in the summertime there is top notch, you get to sit along the Poudre River on their outdoor patio. Also if you’ve never gone to a show there, DO IT!! One of my favorite places on earth. Some great spots for drinks are The Emporium Sports Bar, O’dell Brewery, and Social.
Favorite breakfast spot is Rainbow Restaurant
Coffee Shops—Mugs, LIMA, Me Oh My
Other yummy food—Avogadros Number (food, drinks, shows, great outdoor patio), Los Tarascos, Blue Agave, Bawarchi Biryani, White Tree, Jaws, and so much more.
There are many hiking trails in Poudre Canyon and rafting on the river is frighteningly fun. Horsetooth Reservoir is a great spot for paddle boarding or just to hang.
The Lyric for an interesting movie experience
I’m sure you could also always find some sort of art show to check out, from all of the First Friday happenings with the Art Mart, Petrichor Collective, and many more—to other art happenings the rest of the week

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom has always been my biggest fan and has always supported the decisions that I make. She has a wall in her home dedicated to my mandala art and has started filling her windows with my stained glass art so I am deeply appreciative of her and her support as well as the rest of my family and friends who continue to support my work.

Website: https://julesmandalas.art/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084442581375