First the basic introduction – can you tell us who are you, what are you doing, where are you coming from?
I’m a retired energy analyst in my 60s. I live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, right in the middle of conservative America.
Why collages? How you started to do them? What was the first thing that really caught your attention and made you want to do your own collages?
I was doing paintings and photography, but I got bored with that. Vintage images have always caught my attention and I wanted to use them, but in a way that was not like everyone else doing.
What’s the best part of the collaging process?
When I’m looking at images and I have an AHA moment.
4. And then, what’s the hardest part?
Trying to make a collage with a definite outcome in my mind.
When you begin to work a new piece, do you have a clear vision what you are going to do or where to start?
Sometimes there are clear visions, but they never turn out like I plan.
How critical you are about your works, how easy/hard is to finish your works? Is there any singular part of the creating process where you often find yourself struggling?
I second-guess everything I create. Starting a collage is the hardest part. Usually, I have no idea where the finished product comes from. It just happens.
What connection do you have to your work? Do you want your viewers to understand them or know why you made them?
It’s nice when someone understands, but it’s not necessary. I make them for myself and it’s a fun, creative outlet.
Do you observe your development as an artist or in technical execution?
I think I observe myself as an artist. The content has changed over several years, to be more meaningful, for the most part. I’m braver.
What drives you forward as an artist?
I don’t know how to answer this question.
If you should describe your art with one word, what would it be?
Surreal.
Julia Lillard around the internet:
Society6.com/JuliaLillardArt
Facebook.com/jlillardart/
