Julia Yong
Julia Yong
Artist / “Jack of All Trades”
Astoria, NY
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am an Artist but I can do many things, like running a restaurant or an office, building or reupholstering furniture, renovating a home, doing simple plumbing, plus, paint, and shoot and edit pictures and video.”
And I cook!
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I have done many things in search of a career that would also provide happiness and have come full circle to what I really enjoy doing which is painting and art.I went from working in an office, in Social Work, and logistics to being a professional prep cook in the catering business and a restaurant manager where I would have my paintings featured in the restaurant.
How do you stand out in your field?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I am not sure. I get chatty when I talk about things that inspire me or I am in to. I like to go to comic cons and vibe with other fans. I know a lot about movies, shows, food, and art history. I’ve traveled a bit and as for my art, it is for the most part very happy and colorful. Some are food and comic related, others are dark and tortured. And then there are some that are inspired by well known master painters.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
My next painting and training my kitten to love hugs :)
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
In the past, I have created paintings and mixed media pieces which explored the psyche, and women and identity. As it eh at is sexy and what makes a woman. Plus, women seen as femme fatales and Bond girls. But, I also do comic, demons, hybrids and alien art.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Besides my own business, creating artwork and accessories and selling them online or at fairs and conventions, I wish I had gotten into creating sets for theater or movies. But I have never had any experience in the field.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I had focused on conventions so now with Covid, they are all cancelled and I am at a loss with networking and getting out there, selling my goods and connecting with people. I feel Isolated and yet, I don’t want to resort to online, video tabling, and Zoom meets. I don’t feel it’s engaging for either party and people would just tune it out. I just want the world to be free of Covid and up and running again. I also don’t enjoy the online process. It’s too time consuming but I should bite the bullet and focus more on online networking and sites. But then, I will have no time to create. This is where I hope you will come in!
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Take care of everything online, posting items, networking, marketing, etc. Then, I can focus on making things, and pack and ship.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I was brave enough to pursue my dreams when I was 18 years old and not listen to my mother and majored in Nursing. I spent a good part of my life running back and forth between office work, social work and rursing trying to make her happy.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Build my business. Is there a way I can do that without it being too time consuming it tedious.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Something I can do for others which will also expand my skills and network but will also be paid so I can pay rent.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Building and painting sets, decorating restaurants, etc.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
That’s a tough one too. Usually when I’m sleep deprived and delirious I produce my best work.
This member profile was originally published in October 2020.