Daily Inspiration: Meet JulesCL

Today we’d like to introduce you to JulesCL

Hi Jules, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At the age of 5, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and my response was without hesitation, “an artist.” I always knew becoming a successful artist was my goal. My Asian heritage made it challenging (it still is challenging for different reasons) but it makes me appreciate even more that I was born in NYC and in a country where I have the freedom to express who I am without limitation. The images in my current series, ‘Light from Dark’ demonstrates just that. Women are not and should not be bound by “rules” that have been instilled in us, whether it’d be gender related, cultural or self inflicted. My work reflects who I am; a strong woman who expresses freely.

I’m not an outspoken person, but within my art I found my voice. Growing up with a grandmother who constantly pushed her opinions on me due to her culture and generation saying things like, “you can’t do this” or “you can’t do that because you’re a girl” gave fuel to my fire. Luckily, I have a mother who always encouraged me to do what I want and she told me to ignore my very traditional grandmother. My mother, an immigrant from China/Hong Kong at the age of 19 arrived in NYC, a mother of two, not knowing how to speak English, and not having a lot of money was able to find work and provide for my brother and I. Her ultimate goal was to put us both through college. She did that and more with a smile on her face and always with a happy spirit. My mother is my forever inspiration.

“I believe in pursuing dreams. Put love and energy into all you seek, and it will become yours. Use everything to your advantage; where you come from, your gender, your heritage, your age and whatever life has challenged or blessed you with and make it happen! Love who you are and find balance within your light and your dark.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a long road. I’ve learned that if you want something in life, you have to put in the time and energy to achieve it, no matter how long it takes. Otherwise, you will never truly be happy. There are many pressures in life, decisions to be made and ones dream can be put on hold, especially for a woman, but we must never forget what we want and who we are.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
To my knowledge, my use of male subjects in many of my pieces sets me apart as the only female artist who depicts men as male artists have always depicted women; as muses.

My artwork is created by using only white pastel on black surface. Often mistaken for photography, my artwork lures you into a visual experience of exquisite detail and captivates you with a semi-realistic approach and subject matter through figurative art.

JulesCL is sophisticated sensuality.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is when you’ve achieved your personal best in what you’ve set out to accomplish, when you are deeply happy, and when your soul is fed what it’s been craving all along.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.julescl.art
• Instagram: @julescl.art