JULIA EMILIANI MURAL
September 2019
MEET THE ARTIST
Meet Boston illustrator, designer, & maker, Julia Emiliani, who will be painting the first of three garage door murals at Zone 3 in early September. When she’s not illustrating, you can find Julia managing her Etsy shop of illustrated goods called Over it Studio and tabling at events in the greater Boston area. When she’s not doing all of that, Julia can’t seem to stop thrifting for fashion, obsessing over her neighbor’s cat, and curating her collection of cans and vintage objects.
ABOUT THE MURAL
A Composition of Moments
It’s an exploration of the idea that the things we love are reflective in the things that surround us. This piece is to represent the memories and milestones I’ve formed in Allston over the years, as the city changes. It’s a collective look at the houses I’ve seen, the people I’ve known, and the life I built, expressed through a graphic take on a landscape exploring interiors and exteriors through the passage of time, executed through bold color and shape.
Out of all the neighborhoods in Boston, Allston is especially formative. Time has changed the city as much as it’s changed myself, and as I continue to grow through Allston, it will always hold the energy of memories and places I’ve seen inside out. This piece allows my experience in Allston to physically alter the landscape, creating a new sense of connection. I hope it offers to viewers an opportunity to make their own connections too.
Q&A WITH THE ARTIST
Tell us a little about your background and training?
I was always an art kid, which brought me to studying Illustration at Massachusetts College of Art and Design where I graduated in 2015. Since then I’ve worked at a marketing agency as a designer and in-house as an illustrator, creating art and design for business applications. I also take on freelance gigs where I can, working with a number of womxn-led projects, among other clients. I also run an etsy shop of illustrated goods called Over it Studio and table at events in and around Boston.
What influences your work?
Lately I’ve been finding a lot of inspiration in the idea that objects and places represent a personal and collective human experience. I find myself drawn to things that hold history, connection and love, and feel compelled to paint these things as a form of expression and record-keeping – kind of like a diary entry. Because of that, I draw a lot of inspiration from anything vintage, family heirlooms, domestic objects, homes, personal spaces, plants, clothing – things I feel meaningful connection with. The love always comes through in the final piece.
What is the process that goes into YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS?
I feel like it usually starts with a fascination with a certain object or setting – usually something in my everyday surroundings or something I can document. It can also simultaneously start with a fixation toward certain colors. All that research eventually dictates the type of piece I want to make. With personal work, it starts with small messy sketches and note taking and can evolve into a tighter sketch and color palette, finally being translated into a finished piece. My favorite mediums to work with right now are Acryla Gouache, Posca paint markers, and Procreate, though I’m curious about oil pastels right now!
What do you do when you hit a creative roadblock?
If I’m having a creative block, it’s probably because I’m feeling disconnected or clouded mentally. So that usually calls for some self care — a walk outside or some stretching/yoga is helpful. Also just trying to draw in my sketchbook without any expectations or a specific goal in mind can help loosen up any ideas. Looking through the work of other artists I admire can also help re-gain the spark, and I take a lot of reference photos on my phone, so those remind me of things that inspire me too.
Where else can people find your work?
You can definitely find me on instagram @juliaemiliani and you can view my portfolio at www.juliaemiliani.com.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BOSTON?
Size and accessibility is probably my favorite thing about Boston. I love having the ability to experience a lot of what the city has to offer on foot or public transit, without needing a car. The small size facilitates a sense of community in the art scene that I’m not sure exists quite the same in larger cities. Its that accessibility that has allowed me to form a lot of great connections and a fondness toward the city, and I’m thankful for that.
