Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia D’Angelo.
Julia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up twenty minutes north of Boston in a quiet burb called North Reading. In school, I was always known as “an artist,” taking on tasks ranging from poster creator to window muralist. I harbored a secret love for writing and an even more secret desire to perform, but I was very comfortable in my role scribing large headings on posters and going straight home after school. I didn’t want to pursue a career in fine art until college. It felt like an an organic switch when interviewing strangers on the street terrified me at age 19, I left my Communications/Journalism track to pursue Studio Art; mainly painting with additional classes in digital media, western art history, and Italian studies.
I graduated from Marist College in the magical year of 2009 when the recession was in full swing. I moved back to North Reading, where I had no idea what to do. I started volunteering, applying, reapplying, then applying again to gallery jobs online. I was also pursuing freelance painting projects and writing on my own (mostly poetry). I started volunteering at the Concord Art Association and the ICA before pursuing teaching opportunities at the Essex Art Center. Soon I was teaching at the EAC and at the Family Program at the ICA, all part-time and with a growing need to find something more (aside from serving at my uncle’s bar, which actually brought in some good money).
With some encouragement from my family, I started substitute teaching for North Reading Schools and soon decided to pursue teaching certification from Mass College of Art. I was certified as a K-12 Visual Art Educator in Massachusetts and employed at Lowell Public Schools by May 2011. This was the start of an important transformation for me. I was able to overcome fear-based decision making and started working to serve others. I started teaching roughly 500 elementary aged students for the following 6 years until present time. My school is low income, highly diverse, and located in a neighborhood that raises a lot of local eyebrows. Working with my students has been an incredible eye-opener, making me realize how critical school settings can be for children.
At this time, I was continued writing poetry as a way to relieve stress and to use in the classroom. My principal as kind enough to ask me paint murals all over the school, an opportunity I’ve been waiting for my whole life. I gained confidence and decided to start developing my two side businesses: Art Party with Julia and JDesigns Artware. Art Party is a mobile business providing the art part of private paint and sips and JDesigns is my private studio practice.
Meanwhile, I continued to write poetry and “funny little things” without pursuing a forum to share. After a few failed attempts at artist grants, I decided to pursue my Masters in Education to solidify my position as an art educator; graduating from Fitchburg State last spring 2017. With the masters and additional certification in ESL, I feel I can finally pursue some writing/performing opportunities “for me”. I started taking classes in standup comedy at Improv Boston last January am loving the process. I am planning to relocate from Lowell to Charlestown next month. I’m excited to continue my journey as a part of the creative community in Cambridge.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has been relatively stable, but emotional. A variety of health issues led me to meditation, yoga, and Tao related studies over the past ten years. In short, I have always been terrified of missing out while being in the all-consuming but wonderful position as an art teacher. Now I am working to pursue my personal work while maintaining stability. Letting go of my tenured teaching position may be part of the process, but not until it is right.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about JDesigns Artware – what should we know?
JDesigns Artware is a unique studio meant to inspire interiors for children and adults. My range in style and intended audience sets me apart from other artists. I am proud to say my art practice is an anchoring part of my life, despite being varied. Multifaceted is the only lifestyle that fits my mindset and my practice reflects that. Creating a website and setting up my first few studio spaces was both challenging and empowering. I intend to continue developing as an artist and presenting my work to people who care to look.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance and Balance. It hasn’t been easy to balance my career as a public school teacher as well as my desire to write, perform and paint. There are many days when I wake up and would rather stay home to create my personal work. Instead, I’ve found solace in morning journaling with a book on Tao and a quiet cup of black coffee in bed before going to be with my students. It’s hard to find personal balance amidst the chaos, especially as a single woman watching the world around me pair up. I’m still working on it and intend to continue working on it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jdesignsartware.com/
- Phone: 9786045088
- Email: julia.dangelo1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdesignsartware/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdesignsartware/
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