Julien is a junior art major at Roanoke College
VIA: How long have you been creating artwork and/or involved with the arts?
JULIEN: I’m not even sure I can recall how far back I began drawing and painting. I have been immersed in the arts from a very young age.
VIA: What is your medium of choice for creating your work?
JULIEN: I am a mixed media artist. I find it difficult to narrow down my medium of choice, however, I find myself using alcohol based markers more frequently than others.
VIA: What style or period of art inspires you as an artist? Who are some of your favorite artists?
JULIEN: Modern art and pop art are my main influences. Some of my favorite artists are Yoshitaka Amano, Audrey Kawasaki, and in photography, Richard Avedon.
VIA: What is your leading inspiration when you create your work?
JULIEN: My biggest inspiration in creating my work is music. Music influences the messages behind my work, the emotions they convey, and the overall themes. I am driven by music and use my favorite artists’ songs as my muse.
VIA: Are there other passions or interests you have that tie into your work at all?
JULIEN: One of my biggest passions has been and always will be fashion design. Having a background in costuming from a young age, I found myself very interested in design and construction of costumes and garments. My biggest influences being Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh, I am drawn to the odd and unique. These interests tie into my artwork in that my aesthetic strays from the ordinary and reaches for the unique and extraordinary.
VIA: What are your plans for after college?
JULIEN: After college I hope to move to New York City and continue my education by enrolling in FIT’s graduate program, in order to fuse my love for art and fashion.
This article was originally published in the third issue of VIA Noke Magazine, printed in Roanoke, Virginia in October 2012.
