Name three artists whose work inspires you.
I love William Morris, Helen Beatrix Potter, and May Gibbs.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit early 19th century before computers, to see how everything was hand painted from textiles to children’s books illustrations.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I’m a visual learner so picture books were always a vital part of my learning. In conjunction with raising my children and reading picture books to them inspired me to become a children’s book illustrator. 

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I found two windows in my house that were not used, so I put a handmade shelf there, my art desk, and art supplies near by. I added old record player, plants, my favorite books, crystals, paints, pencils, rug, and before you know it, it became my dream studio.

What is your favorite part of the illustration process?
Honestly, everything. I love sketching, revising, picking out a color palette, and painting. 

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Forget instagram and Pinterest, lock yourself in somewhere and block the social media stimulation, instead go inward and just draw how you see the world, learn the basics, and spend many many hours repeating this process. Eventually, your style will emerge and your unique visual interpretation of the world. Most of all have fun during the process!

Julia grew up on homesteading land in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her childhood was spent picking strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears, walnuts, roses, and Irises. She spent her days playing outdoors with her friends, fishing with her grandfather, and making jam with her great grandmother. Eventually, her life path landed her in a small town in Pennsylvania, where she graduated from Marywood University in 2011 with Masters of Science. After graduating in addition to her day time job she began freelancing professionally and teaching watercolour workshops. It was only a matter of time before her passion for illustration took over. Today, Julia spends her days illustrating children’s books with a style that is both modern yet classic, evoking playfulness, wonder and joy. All of her illustrations are hand-painted in her favourite mediums: watercolour, gouache, pencils and ink.

For more information, please visit Julia’s website or follow her on instagram.