Julie Gates creates debut collection of nine pieces.

Words by Brandi Long-Frank
Photos by Andrea Nuxoll

This is as much about Julie Gates’ journey to creating as it is about Road travelled to get there.

For four years a paintbrush, canvas, and blue paint sat in Julie Gates’ closet awaiting the moment to fill her life with yet another experience of calmness, grounding, and creation. Embroidery, untreated canvases, and acrylic paint were combined to create a family of nine masterpieces.

“Each piece is an iteration on the last piece I’ve done.” –Julie Gates

Julie Gates’ upbringing instilled her with a passion for traveling as well as the act of creating at a young age—toys, outfits, or anything else she desired. When speaking about her mother and father, Julie mentions that with her parents having both her and her twin brother, Josh, later in their life that color was brought into her and her brother’s world based off their experiences.

“My mom immigrated from the Philippines in her early thirties and nannied for a Filipino family in Texas. My freedom loving father drove a taxi cab in the city and spent his summers living out of his van fly fishing in Yellowstone.”

Julie was raised in Denver, Colorado mostly but also spent the early years of her life in Idaho and the Philippines as well. During the time Julie and her family lived in Colorado, she recalls the humble beginnings that shaped the woman and artist she is today. Their family lived in low-income housing in Denver and often shopped at local thrift stores. She learned from an early age that in life, there was always more than what meets the eye.

“For me, creativity in its simplest form is about making something out of nothing.”

What Julie’s parents also provided her, was the importance of embracing life’s experiences and she has done just that with her work. Julie’s full-time job involves creating designs on the computer and it was through her love of this work that sparked the desire to create art on her own terms. Julie took these thoughts into fruition by completing this family of nine handmade tapestries—created with untreated canvas, acrylic paint, and embroidery for texture. According to Julie the embroidery found in her work, extends the art as a finishing touch to each piece.

“A few years ago after a trip to Southeast Asia, and another to Central America, I became obsessed with embroidery, and I couldn’t be satisfied until I learned how to do it myself.”

Despite the current state of society during this time with the COVID-19 pandemic, Julie has used her indecisiveness to remain flexible throughout so much uncertainty. She proves time and time again, that what we may view as weaknesses can really be strength in disguise. Julie has remained consistent with her daily routine, and has also used the rest of her time to be present more than ever. Julie’s day starts in the early mornings, with walks outside and the practice of Qigong before breakfast. Julie is finding new ways to create for herself, spending time with her loved ones, as well as creating work that keeps her here in the now—and she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Contributors

Brandi Long-Frank is a content creator and writer based in Omaha, NE.

Andrea Nuxoll is a documentary portrait and wedding photographer based in Omaha, NE.