Meet Julie Whitfield | Artist

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

Hi Julie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I gained an appreciation for owning my own business when I was a young adult. I worked as a hair stylist after graduating from Cosmetology school. A year or two of professional experience in a busy department store salon gave me the confidence and experience to go out on my own. I found a salon where I was able to rent a booth and build my own clientele. I loved the freedom and control I felt as a business owner. The entrepreneurial ideals I developed as a sole proprietor stuck with me throughout my life.
Several years into owning my salon booth business, I landed the best job ever! I became a mom and decided to hang up my styling tools and close up shop to focus on my family. Being a stay at home mom was the hardest, and most rewarding thing I had ever done.
Eventually when my kids grew up, I went back into the workforce. However, this time around, I needed a full time job with all the benefits. I have worked for several different companies since then, and have learned valuable skills from each position. All things considered, I prefer to own my own business versus working for someone else. There is just something really gratifying about being in control of your own livelihood.

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.
I had enjoyed art during high school but didn’t take school (or art) very seriously. Decades later, my journey as an artist began again on a therapeutic level during a difficult period of my life. I discovered that painting was a healthy way to release energy. I wasn’t creating anything recognizable. It just felt good to move paint around the canvas.
As time went on, I started experimenting with different art mediums. When I discovered watercolor, I fell in love with it. Most of my artwork is watercolor, pen, or a combination of both. I play with other art mediums, but so far, watercolor is my favorite.
The biggest challenge that I face as an artist is finding the time and energy to create art that is at the level I want it to be. There is a bit of unbalance when it comes to juggling my job, other responsibilities, and my spare time.
In the future, I want to focus more energy on becoming a better artist. Until then, I plan to continue working full time, hopefully find some balance, and keep creating and selling art in my spare time!

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?
There are so many places in Colorado that deserve mention. To name a few in proximity to the greater Denver/Colorado Springs area, I would say that a concert at Red Rocks is something every visitor should experience at least once. Next on the list would be the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide. This is a truly unique animal refuge where guests can view and interactively learn about wolves and other wildlife. Lastly, I will mention the mountains of Colorado! We have the beautiful Rockies running directly through our state. There are no bad spots in the mountains!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are some really great people in my life that give me encouragement. My kids, parents, siblings, and my good friends have all been there to support me and have had a substantial positive impact on my life. When I shared my art with them, they convinced me to put it out into the world, so I eventually did.
My art debuted on social media in 2019, and I started selling prints through various channels in 2020. The occasional art hobby turned into a business if only to help fund my supplies.

Instagram: julie_whitfield_art

Facebook: julie whitfield art

Other: juliewhitfieldart@gmail.com