Whimsy & Wild Interview
Julie is an illustrator influenced by nature, our state & close-knit bonds, selling her stationery & paper goods in her shop, Whimsy and Wild. You'll also find her bright vibes gracing shops like Rebel Reclaimed & Parliament The Boutique in Grand Rapids. Julie & I became instant friends as we talked over coffee about the holidays, our favorite blogs & freelance life. I admire her will as a shop owner, the spirit she brings to her work & the honesty she shares in her process:
Why did you begin Whimsy and Wild?
Julie Wylie To be quite honest, I started Whimsy + Wild because I got to a point where I realized I couldn’t work for someone else. I’ve only had a couple of jobs in my life, + I gotta say, I was pretty miserable. I have always been really creative + I love art. For a long time I thought opening an Etsy shop would be cool, + one day it just made sense. It started as a blog since I temporarily moved to Arizona with my husband so he could go to school. Once we got back home, I got to work + finally opened up shop! It was so exciting, and it truly still is every day. I love being able to do what I love + I am so, so thankful.
What makes you feel brave?
JW I think having the support from my loved ones is what makes me feel the bravest. Knowing that they’ll always be there supporting me along the way really makes me feel like I can do anything. It is because of them that I’m not afraid to really push myself + try something risky, like starting my own business with zero savings. I know that if it does or doesn’t work out in the end, I have them.
Describe a typical day for you.
JW My days are not very exciting. I wish I had some awesome routine that included eating healthier + waking up at the crack of dawn to get work done, maybe some yoga + one day, it will. I’m working towards that, but for right now, I try to get up as early as I can. Sometimes that’s 9am, sometimes it’s 11am. I usually eat some food then check out what’s happening on Instagram or the internet. After a little inspiration, I get to work. My favorite thing is when I actually check off everything on my to-do list. I’m a pretty unmotivated person in general, but I’ve been getting a lot better at it + that feels really good! A few days a week I wake up at 7:45am to babysit my niece + I get to hang out with her all day. It’s pretty awesome.
Who has guided you to do the work you love?
JW I think I’d have to say myself. There were teachers I had in art school or even high school, that were really awesome, but I’ve never really had a “mentor” per se. The reason I’m doing what I love is because I just couldn’t do anything else anymore. I was done living a life I didn’t love + I was and still am determined to do what makes me happy. It’s most definitely challenging, but it’s worth it. And like I said, I’m very fortunate to have such a wonderfully supportive family (+ friends!).
How do you begin a piece?
JW Everything starts on paper, either with a pencil or more often now just a nice pen/marker. I doodle over and over and over, honestly. I have so many pages of computer paper on my desk + in drawers. It’s a lot of clutter sometimes but it’s my preferred way to work (the papers, not the mess). Sometimes I’ll pull out the handy LightPad my husband bought me as a wedding gift to trace a design that’s good but not quite right. Then I scan it + edit it on the computer using Photoshop and my Wacom Bamboo tablet. Sometimes I use Illustrator but a lot of my work is just cleaned up/colored in Photoshop.
My favorites are the little things. I like nature a lot. I like pretty things. I’m not sure what that means exactly but I like rain, steam from a cup of coffee, frosting on a cupcake, a cardinal in the snow, sunlight through a window…
What inspires you to create?
JW This is both a tough + easy question. Sometimes nothing inspires me + I just create because I need to. I create because I need to make something even if I don’t feel like it or even if it isn’t good. Other times, so much inspires me. My favorites are the little things. I like nature a lot. I like pretty things. I’m not sure what that means exactly but I like rain, steam from a cup of coffee, frosting on a cupcake, a cardinal in the snow, sunlight through a window…it’s all of these little things that really get me going. I also love looking at other artists’ work. That can be tough if you start to critique your work against theirs but whenever I scroll through Instagram and see a fellow maker’s work, I can’t help but get really inspired.
Currently digging?
JW The excitement of Christmas time, even if it is a little stressful. I love this time of year. Also, David Bazan + The Passenger String Quartet’s recent collab. SO perfect. It’s on repeat in my car.
What can we look forward to from Whimsy and Wild?
JW Hopefully a lot! Right now, I'm looking forward to adding a bunch of new card designs after the holidays. I also really need to get my butt into gear and add the rest of the states to my States Series collection! Oh, and something extra exciting but I can’t say anything just yet.
Surprise! Julie & I made something for you in celebration of the Winter Solstice coming up this Sunday. It's the shortest day of the year, symbolizing the inherent need for soul searching & inner reflection during this dark season. It's also a time to celebrate the coming of more light as the days get increasingly longer.
Solstice literally means "when the sun stands still" so Julie made a dark & light version for your desktop or your phone background. It's a free download, our gift to you:
In Great Company is a Brave Girl series that sparks conversation with people making waves in their communities, careers & life.
