Meet Julia Mann | independant artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Mann and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Julia, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
As a single parent, I hope that I have taught my two boys that you can do anything, if you just put your mind to it and give it your all. I hope that they have seen how hard I’ve worked at my business these last few years to be able to support the three of us. To never give up and to work as hard as you can to make your dreams come true.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have memories of drawing ever since I was little, probably 5 or 6 years old. My parents bought me my first set of colored pencils and I just fell in love with them. We moved a lot, between Virginia, Switzerland and Wisconsin, but art was always my love and happy place. I was mainly self taught, until switching majors to art half way through college at Virginia Tech. After getting married and moving to Houston, Texas, I started a little stationery business, designing and selling stationery to stores around the state. After a few years, I took a job our church, designing and painting sets for the children ministry for 3 campuses. It was a ton of work, but I learned so much, and led me to starting a mural painting business in 2006. I loved painting kids rooms, nurseries and furniture for families. I was able to do that until after my first son was born in 2009 and continued to paint furniture and accessories until my second son was born in 2012.
After that, I began illustrating some self published things for others and wanted to pursue illustrating children’s books. We moved to Austin in 2014 and I decided to pursue illustration. I spent months preparing a portfolio and attended an SCBWI conference in early 2015. After a frustrating experience at the conference, I came home and wanted to stop drawing altogether. I had been drawing for everyone else for years, and was burned out. A week later, I picked up my colored pencils and started drawing for myself. I drew my boys and started drawing my favorite characters like I did when I was younger. I started listening to podcasts and reading books. I drew every day while my kids were in bed, to try and get better. Pretty soon, I could see major improvements and my style was changing. I started posting on instagram and became part of the art community on there. With so much encouragement and inspiration, it only inspired me to continue on. In time, I began to take on commissions and pet portraits for clients.
In 2018, I listened to a podcast about why you should do conventions and festivals as an artist. It changed my life. I had always dreamed of selling my art at a convention, but thought it was only for big named artists that had been animators or had a huge following. I went a comic con in San Antonio to see what it was all about and didn’t think my art would fit in with all the comic book art. Thanks to a dear friend, who was an artist at the show, she told me that I needed to be there because my work was different. I came home, signed up for my first convention for 2019 and it changed my life. Covid put a stop to shows for a little over a year, but I went right back to it as soon as I could in 2021. I started traveling outside of Texas this year for shows, and it has been amazing. As a newly single mom, I am so thankful to be able to fully support my two boys and myself doing what I love. I feel so blessed. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love getting to encourage young artists and older artists to never give up, to pursue their dreams.
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 have loved living in Central Texas these last 9 years. I love being outdoors and hiking, so I would definitely have to take them to some of my favorite spots. In Austin, we would have to go to River Place to hike, and see Crocket Falls on Lake Georgetown. We would have to take a little day trip to some of my favorite spots in Central Texas. Fredericksburg for shopping and German Food, and then a hike up Enchanted Rock. Afterwards, a short drive to Llano to have some fantastic BBQ at Cooper’s.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Growing up, I’m so thankful for the art teachers I had in school, who encouraged me and cheered me on, especially my art professors in college. I never would have switched majors from biology to art, if it hadn’t been for their encouragement.
I’ve been a part of a small critique group here in Austin, Texas, called The Big Dillustrators. It’s made up of 4 moms that are all illustrators. They were the first people I told my idea about starting to doing conventions and festivals back in 2018. I would never have taken the leap, if it hadn’t been for their approval and support. They are my biggest cheerleaders and I am so thankful to have them.
Website: www.artofjuliamann.com
Instagram: @juliamannartreal