BeingJulia

***I'm just taking a short break for a bit while I adjust to my new job!! I promise I'll finish out all my ratings/sends and will be back soon hopefully!!****

Without creating I'd not survive! I've been an artist all my life. Raised in a log cabin with a hippie mom, creating was just part of daily life. Now, post 40, post divorce, and somewhat settled in a small apartment, creating, cooking, reading, dreaming has somewhat saved my sanity! I joined Swap-Bot in an attempt to assuage my isolation from other artists. Currently I am working with collage, mixed media, and a bit of jewelry play. Having lost my beloved home, complete with fully stocked workroom and supplies, (It was all left behind when I left), I'm still rebuilding my art studio. Downsizing has taken on a completely new meaning for me. I'm looking forward to connecting with other artists. I've got a lot to learn about this venue!

**So in the month or so I've been here lurking around I've been a little disheartened by the quality of work I've seen posted on Flickr and such. It's not that I think highly of myself, it's just that I don't get the whole slap something on a piece of paper and call it an ATC. To me, ATC is about ART. YOUR art. Whether your work is hand drawn or collaged, I would hope that you strive for some semblance of quality. I do.

Likes : Anything vintage, paper, buttons, words!, moons, poetry, old text, nudes, brushes, pens, ribbon, tea, spice mixes, bottles, handmade toiletries, cards, ephemera, vintage photos, hearts, herbs!. vintage illustration from children's books. Things with wings.

****NOTE for swap bot partners**** please don't concern yourself too much with my "likes/dislikes" If you've made it, I'm sure I'll like it, with the caveat that I really don't "do" commercial type stuff.. Hello Kitty.. anime.. cartoon.. All else is fair game!

I love to cook. Collect cookbooks. Love vegetarian lusciousness, (I am a meat eater, however), curries, soups, stews and BREAD! I make a lot of homemade bread. Bizarre fetish for kitchen tools, spoons, tiny bowls.

I am very "sacred feminine" orientated. I collect tons of literature about women's studies, Goddess Studies, etc. I adore the female nude, particularly full bodied curvy girls (um.. like me). It seems important to me to see the beauty in this form I was given. I work for a controversial feminist health organization and a staunch supporter of women's rights. ALL of them.

Dislikes: Commercial cartoony anything! Mass produced junk that pollutes our sense of identity. Anything done half-assed. Most stickers. ugh. SO unoriginal. For me it's got to feel old.. as if someone before me has touched it. Ignorance-(how so many could still be so ignorant in such an age of information is beyond me.) Closed minded individuals that hide in packs. Protesters from bizarre religious groups. Religious fanatics who think their way is the only way. And good lord I hate doing laundry.

ATCs, inchies, arches, collage, mini books, altered books, matchbox shrines, handmade mail-art. I do other things..but these are topping the list right now.

Jazz: Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Etta James.. the list is long. Singer-Songwriter: Damien Rice, Josh Radin, Ray Lamontagne.. Rock: Seether, Weepies, Hinder, Cat Power..

I have 2 grown and glorious boys. The oldest has graduated Summa Cum Laude in Graphic Arts and has yet to land a job. (keep yr chin up!) and the youngest who is still finishing his Physics degree. They are the light of my life.

My oldest has a really cool blog: www.tomlowell.wordpress.com

you should check out his bizarre art and thoughts.

my mom is an artist too, right now she's dealing with a terminally ill husband..

http://www.bluewing-art.com/

My work with ATC's has been a process. At first it seemed "silly" to do these little creations instead of what I feel as an artist I "should" be creating. But given space and means they are exactly what I need right now. I'm hooked.

All my cards are built on heavy chipboard (except a few of the "opening" one's) It's my opinion that the art form needs weight and substance to give it that one more aspect that I need it to have. (Goddess, that I could somehow add sensual odor and taste I probably would, just for that next sensory imput... not a practical idea.) There's just something about really feeling the card. I am always growing in my tastes in what I want to work with. I love paper... but eventually will probably dabble in fabric, may want to try a little metal too. Vintage images make me coo like a baby. love them. I particularly love nudes.. but try to understand that other's don't.. so I do read profiles to get a feel for my recipient and respect everyone's differences. Tho I use mostly vintage images, I'm really pushing myself to reconnect with my watercolors.. so more of those may be coming. I post all my cards, swapped and unswapped on my Flickr account and honestly, if you know I'm sending to you and have a wish.. by all means ask.

I ALWAYS RATE. I ALWAYS SEND.

you should too.