This time, we had the absolute joy of chatting with Julie - a super talented textile designer and artist based in sunny Barcelona, Spain! 🌞✨
Julie also hosts our 4-hour Tufting Workshop “Create Your Own Rug”, where you can dive into the world of rug-making either at her cozy studio or even at your own space. 🎨🧶
Curious to meet the creative mind behind the yarn?
Get to know her better in this edition of our subcultalk! 💬💥
1. What is the art you make?
Operating between the fields of textile design and art, I create custom tufted rugs as well as a range of contemporary products such as pillows and tufted mirrors, forming an immersive and textured collection.
2. How did you find your way to your art?
I started drawing, creating jewelry, then making prints to create different kinds of accessories; all of this lead to what I do now.
I’ve always wanted to work my my hands and make rugs, I just never knew how to proceed. So when Tufting made its appearance after the quarantine, it looked like the obvious path for me.
3. What is the reason you continue to practice your art?
I love what I do and at this stage it is my way of being, it is connected to my personal self and I can’t really imagine doing something else.
At least for now, because you never know what will happen!
4. What is your personal highlight during your entire time as an artist?
I had a Duo-exhibition recently in Luxembourg and hopefully another one soon in Barcelona. I love exhibitions and these kind of events where you gather people together because it is a nice way to show what you have been up to the past years and share your work with your surrounding and closest people. It is a very personal and intimate process in the end.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
5. When do you feel most productive?
It depends of the time of the year, of my workload… I feel more productive and free to create when my head is free of worries and abundant thoughts.
I also feel more productive in the summer’s late afternoon; when it’s still clear outside but you know that it’s gonna be a long day.
6. What or who inspires you?
My sources of inspiration is nature, art exhibitions, and above all, everyday life’s experiences, where I try to draw out emotions and connect with a specific vibe to transform them into colors and compositions; especially colors.
I really enjoy exploring the concept of Dopamine Decor, which influences daily mood and can have a calming effect on people.
For me, living or working in a space filled with textures and colors awakens the senses and definitely helps me feel happier.
7. In which "small" things do you find the most joy?
I love coming home and see my cat Jean-Michel, being in a place filled with nature, seeing a new movie I always wanted to see or eating tasty food with people I love.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
8. Do you have a vision or goal you are working towards?
I just hope that I can make as many people happy as possible with my art and travel for work.
One of my biggest goals of the near future is to grow our studio & gallery in Barcelona and to be part of an artistic art residency in Japan.
9. What is a life well-lived for you?
My ideal life-situation is to be able to live from what I do as long as I can and have an abundant life from it.
I want to travel as much as possible, see many different countries, meet more random people and different cultures that I can learn from.
10. What do you do when you feel "stuck"?
I try to leave what I have to do for later, without obsessing over it, although it can be really hard.
Usually, if I manage to concentrate on something more mechanical and not overthink anymore it will resolve itself by its own.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
11. What is true freedom for you?
Being able to live life without too many restrictions set by myself or others, and just being able to work on my art and personal projects - although it is not always possible. When it happens I feel very grateful.
12. What is your favorite feeling?
I love to look forward to something in particular and knowing it will be happening soon.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
13. What is your least favorite feeling?
I guess being stressed about something and feeling sad or nostalgic about important events in life and the world.
14. What are you most afraid of?
I’m afraid of time sometimes and what it can do. I hope I’ll always be surrounded by loved ones even in difficult times.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
15. What is your favorite movie?
I don’t really have a favorite movie, it always depends what I’m in the mood for. I usually love movies for their esthetics and where I can feel at ease and inspired.
16. What is a book you highly recommend (the first one that comes to your mind)?
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
17. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I hope that won’t happen ;) I like to change too much.
18. Your favorite guilty pleasure?
I love tacos, quesadillas with a lot of cheese and micheladas.
And I’m a big fan of a really intense cheese platter.
Photo shot by Maca Miño.
¡Gracias por tu buena onda, Julie! 🧶✨
Feeling inspired and want to meet her in real life?
Join her 4-hour Tufting Workshop: “Create Your Own Rug” – trust us, it’s as cozy and colorful as it sounds! 🎨🪄
Or just drop us a message if you want to learn more.
Hasta la próxima,
Kat and the subcultours crew 💫