Julie Davis Veach Finds Fulfillment Through Art

Writer / Renee Larr
Photography Provided

Julie Davis VeachZionsville resident Julie Davis Veach has expressed herself through her works of art since she was a small child.

“I have been involved in art ever since I was in kindergarten,” Davis Veach says. “I can remember the smell of crayons, and the colors being one of my most vivid memories. I was always involved in something creative. The first time I started selling my artwork was probably around 8 or 10, when I sold drawings of horses and dogs in Germany.”

As she has moved through her life and career, art has always been a constant. About one year ago, she was able to make art her full-time career.

“I just started my art business, Julie Davis Veach Fine Art, a little more than a year ago,” she says. “I have three grown kids that are now out of the house, and I have one little one who started back to school. Now I have the time to do what I’ve wanted to do for a long time. My art is my full-time business even though I still am a full-time mom as well.”

Her artwork is primarily boldly colored acrylic pieces that can take a few days to a few weeks.

“My artwork is very expressive and very colorful,” she says. “It’s somewhat impressionistic and abstract. It’s meant to capture a higher vibration. It’s meant to evoke happiness and joy. It’s uplifting, therapeutic and healing for me. That is what I want to give back through my art – those feelings of hope, positivity and joy.”

She finds inspiration in the world around her.

“Honestly, I can get inspiration from anywhere or just life itself, but I’m mostly inspired by nature,” Davis Veach says. “I love nature, plants, animals, gardening and flowers. The beauty of nature is what inspires me. Also, color is a huge part of my artwork – bold colors mostly.”

Davis Veach loves living in Zionsville, as it reminds her of her military upbringing.

“The neighborhood we live in reminds me of growing up,” she says. “I grew up in the military, and all of our communities on military bases were very well-connected, with sidewalks and schools nearby. Everything was pretty relative to the central part of the community. I like that connection and the community aspect.”

Davis Veach sells original artwork, prints, commissioned pieces, gift cards, stationery, note cards, yoga mats, holiday ornaments, beach towels, notebooks, stickers and T-shirts.

“I did a commissioned piece for a client, and she wanted stationery to go along with it,” she says. “I started branching out into those areas.”

Being an artist doesn’t mean Davis Veach sits in her studio all day creating artwork. There is a more significant piece behind the scenes as well.

“For me, it’s important to create an awareness that we’re not only artists, but we’re entrepreneurs,” Davis Veach says. “I think that often gets forgotten because people think of the artist in the studio painting. There is so much behind-the-scenes work. We wish we could be creating all day, but we’re trying to make connections, update our websites, figure out the best ways to market our art, calculate sales tax and find grants. We’re running a business as well.”

Julie Davis VeachShe also notes the wage discrepancy for Indiana artists.

“We have a wealth of talented artisans in Indiana,” Davis Veach says. “However, the average wage for Indiana artists is half the U. S. wage for the rest of the artists in the same field. I want to create awareness around the issue.”

However, don’t for a second think she is only out to make money. She also utilizes her art to assist community charities and causes.

“Sometimes I will help organizations, donating a piece of art to be used in a silent auction,” Davis Veach says. “Over the past year, I’ve also been working locally with an organization called Watch Us Farm. They help adults with disabilities be able to work and earn a paycheck. Often these individuals are forgotten and there aren’t many resources for them, but they are just as valuable as everyone else in the community. This organization has them creating beautiful tapestries and scarves using a loom. We’re going to work with them on creating pieces that are inspired by my artwork.”

Davis Veach has a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is graduating in December with a master of arts degree for web and new media from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. For more information on her artwork, visit juliedavisveach.com.

Julie Davis Veach

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