I met Toronto-based artist Julia Mercanti three years ago at the Artist Project TO and was drawn to her complexly detailed, dreamy, watercolour hued illustrations. But what really stood out was her dynamic and captivating personality, which comes across in her art. Yes, I’m fangirling hard over here.

After following Julia’s journey on Instagram, I reached out (just before Covid-19 panic hit us hard) to pick her brain on life as an artist, her unique style and how she found her voice. I learned so many tips about art-making from Julia and left the conversation feeling inspired to create. I hope this post brightens your day too.

On Taking the Pressure off Art

While Julia has had a studio space since she moved to Toronto from Hamilton at 17, it wasn’t until four years ago that she went all-in on art-making. After graduating from OCAD with a major in curatorial and criticism (and a minor in drawing and painting), she spent three years working and living her best life before committing to creation.

Even now, she maintains a restaurant job twice a week, not because she has to but because she wants to. It feeds her extrovert nature and covers her costs so she can create whatever resonates, without needing it to sell. This solves the creator debate, if you do what you love to make money, can you still love what you do?

On Using Gamification to Create Your Own Rules

Jules got advice years ago to create rules to define her style so that when she broke them, it would be intentional. Despite her dark humour for example, she never uses black paint. But how does one come up with said rules? Her tips:

• Experiment and expose yourself to lots of techniques and materials. This can cost quite a bit of money to start so ask for art supplies as gifts!
• Have a workbook where you give yourself permission to play and learn for one hour a day. There is no “wasted” time.
• Create a private Instagram and challenge yourself to post art everyday
• Restrict yourself to certain colours or brushes or paper types or paint types for a defined period of time and see what you can create within limitations

Jules believes you can find something that informs your work for the better, even from scenarios that don’t resonate.

While she can be serious too (hello the mood in this pic), Julia often dances, jokes and wears her heart on her sleeve

On Embracing Creative Mistakes and Using Technology

As a recovering perfectionist I loved hearing Jules perspective on mistakes. She loves them because she can’t anticipate them or purposely recreate them. Whenever she accidentally smudges or bleeds colours, she follows the direction of the “mistake” and finds a way to make it work on paper.

One way Jules has optimized her process is getting an iPAD with sketch program. The illustration process siphons most of her mental energy. Creating them digitally helps her pick up and put down concepts as needed, test colours in advance, erase things easily and even aid in the client approval process without manual re-work. I know what I’m asking for this birthday (hint: an iPAD)!

Julia also taught herself animation, so there’s that

On Perseverance, Isolation and Routines

After being home for five months, I miss the built in structure of corporate to get things done. When you have all the time in the world and only yourself to answer to, days can go by with little to show. Plus working where you live is same-same. Jules confirms life, as an artist, is both uncertain and lonely. You can’t predict when you’ll find inspiration or where opportunities will come from, but she has tips:

• Create a consistent schedule (she does nine to five) and keep practicing
• Dress up and get yourself ready for the day to look good and feel good
• Have an accountability partner or group you can check in with weekly
• Get real-time feedback & connect with others through social media
• Art shows are tons of work but great ways to get feedback and connect
• Get yourself added to relevant art databases to get found too

But Also, Take Breaks. There is no Output without Input

This was a big one for me – it’s hard to turn off my inner slave driver. I asked her how she could tell when to take a break guilt-free vs. when she’s starting to slide off the creation wagon all together?

Jules pointed out it’s impossible to constantly produce art without taking in new experiences. Eventually, you’re going to run out of things to say. People watching, fresh air or consuming other people’s art (regardless of form) can give ideas. Plus when inspiration strikes, creation can be all consuming and tiring. Stay loose!

On Challenging Yourself Against Complacency

I recently realized that I only like doing things I’m good at. It’s hard to be a beginner and easy to wallow in one’s comfort zone, especially in corporate. I thought artists may be tempted to stick with a winning formula, but Jules is constantly stretching herself.

She recently started experimenting with laser-cut shapes to paint and did her first mural for the Holt Renfrew holiday window commission. She also challenged herself at this year’s Artist Project to create larger than life paintings. Side note: a disadvantage of not painting on canvas means that framing costs can be huge and customers are not always willing to pay for that (who knew?).

On Channeling Emotions through Art & Self Doubt

My favourite part of our chat was Jules admitting she’s had low lows and can get down every few months. We both cry regularly, have a fear of throwing up, can compare ourselves to others and feel like we’re shooting in the dark. She’s open about her moods and expresses feelings with humour through her art and isn’t that what it’s all about? Especially in these trying social distancing times!

So tell me readers, do you you agree with these creativity tips or have any to add? What’s keeping you busy during quarantine?