Check Out Julie Havel’s Story

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

Hi Julie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
When I was around the age of seven, I knew that I wanted to be an artist. I just felt it in my soul and 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 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 children today. Do I have a college degree in art? Nope. My parents told me I could never make a living as an artist 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 you should have an MFA or at least an undergraduate degree in art as an artist. 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 need 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.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing up, I ebbed and flowed and struggled with not always being able to express myself creatively. In college & post-college, I 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 indescribable and feels so entirely right and connected to source.