Meet Julie Havel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Havel.

Julie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Since I was around the age of seven, I knew that I wanted to be an artist. I just felt it in my soul and in my heart. As a child, I was surrounded by a few family members who were non-professional creatives. My mom is a landscape painter, my grandmother created ceramic sculptures, and my grandfather made furniture.

I would sit next to my mom & paint & draw while she painted. I would help my grandmother mold her ceramics, and cautiously watch her pull them from her kiln. While my grandfather had his woodshop in his garage, he would have me help him sand the furniture before he would varnish it. I loved every minute of being in the creative flow. As for my own art, I often would collect anything and everything to paint, sculpt and make something out of nothing. This is something that I am still very passionate about & am instilling in my own children today.

Do I have a college degree in Art? Nope. I was told that I could never make a living as an artist by my parents. I opted for another degree that I have not even used to this day. I didn’t listen to my heart, I surrendered to what was “logical.”

In hindsight, not getting a degree in Art (for me), was a huge blessing. Some people want to hear that as an artist, you should have an MFA or have at least an undergraduate degree in Art. However, when it is truly your calling to be a creative being on this planet, an undergraduate or master’s degree is not what I personally needed to become a successful artist.

The universe assisted me in letting go of my past jobs in everything from Flight Attendant, Marketing Manager, and Sales Team Leader. I started my business 20 years ago and have never looked back. Yes, I am 100% self-taught. I have learned by listening to the universe and feeling it in my soul that this is what I was put on this planet to do.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growing up, I ebbed and flowed and struggled with not being able to always express myself creatively. In college & post-college, I really lost my sense of my soul. I shut down listening to its guidance and truly surrendered to the “rat race” of working in unfulfilling jobs.

At times, I still can get my logical mind wrapped up in the “business” of being a full-time artist. This is a big place where I lose myself and have to center and ground myself & express gratitude for the gifts that I have been given. When I can do this, and when I am tapped into the unconscious flow of creating, this is truly a magical place to be. It’s really indescribable and feels so completely right and connected to source.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
Julie Havel Fine Art had been years in the making, and 20 years full-time. As I started my business, I began by painting street scenes & landscapes in watercolor. The essence of this was still creative but incredibly controlling & limiting to me. This was all before the age of YouTube, so I was on my own as far as “learning” a process of creating.

Then I picked up a three inch palette knife & my life completely changed. This is my best friend, my master, my tool. It has been through EVERY painting that I have ever created. Through this, and through listening to guidance from my spirit guides, I learned the art of abstract painting.

My creations are 2-D Mixed Media & Acrylic paint. Layer upon layer, I build up the paint, sand, papers, oil pastels, graphite, textiles, modeling paste and acrylic mediums. Simultaneously, I work on neutral-toned paintings as well as bold and colorful pieces. It all depends on the day, external influence, my mood & what will present itself in that moment.

The most rewarding element of being an artist is sitting as a witness. A witness to the end result of a painting, a witness to the flow state of universal guidance, a witness to a heart connection from an individual to one of my creations. This is it. This is why I do what I do. This is the gift I am here to share.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently, there is so much energy swirling in my creative field. I live part-time in Costa Rica and am in my creative flow state. At this time, I am seeking a representative for my work. I would love an aligned connection with whoever it is. I would love to do a residency in Morocco and have the opportunity to exhibit my work world-wide.

In addition, I have amazing collectors in the US, and we have worked in tandem to bring like-minded art lovers together for private exhibitions in their homes. These have been hosted for three years in Silicon Valley, and it would be wonderful to expand this field to other areas, as well as co-creating it as a charitable situation. These are my desires, and I am surrendering them to the Universe. Stay tuned…..

Pricing:

• My prices range from $500-$17,000

Contact Info:

• Address: 445 S. Saulsbury St Studio D
  Lakewood, CO 80226
• Website: www.juliehavel.com
• Phone: 303.898.9198
• Email: art@juliehavel.com
• Instagram: juliehavelartist
• Facebook: Julie Havel Abstract Art

Image Credit:
Jenny Duffy, Laura Mahony Photography

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