Julia Steketee

My story so far 

I remember peaceful years growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, counting the baby geese on the pond, paddling in the canoe, and prancing across the bright, spacious hallways of my family home. But a change was to come. An international move was on the horizon. The move to France was frought, and my stubborn character refused to call this new house a home. But settling in simply takes time and the arrival of a new pup turned this challenging transition into a new adventure. Change, and adjusting to new contexts and cultures followed me through my adolescence. Moving back to Atlanta years later felt like moving to a whole new country. I was eager for independence but felt restricted. My relationship with my mother started to boil over. Fights ensued. Art provided an important balance, escape and focus.

My dedication to paintings and print making allowed me to set out on a new adventure, this time chosen. A year in Spain, to study design. A breath of fresh air, Feeling the freedom she felt I needed. And next, yet another shift followed shortly after: I began a degree in Furniture Design, back in the US, with aspiring artists and designers from around the country and from across the world. Great friendships, new skills, and a serious bicycle accident marked this era. Ready to bounce back and get on track, I finished the program searching for the next new thing. A job in London, a scholarship in Brasil, a new romance. Then, a strange and deadly virus forced the world to slow down. I was always one to keep busy, make more, and ride fast. But the virus and a second surgery forced a shift in rhythm. This provided space for me and Igor’s relationship to solidify, and for self reflection, healing, and experimentation.

Through these formative years, my values started to sink in deeper. My appreciation for people who can follow through became clear. The perfectionist in me learned how to release some control. And my dedication to protection and restoration of our environment started to shape my decision making and career path. I am easy going but do not necessarily believe what I hear. Both learning from others and scepticism hold an important place. Unnecessary drama and toxic relationships do not. I cherish the support of my family and a strengthening partnership with Igor. I reflect on how my artistic and career, and personal choices that I have made have allowed me to grow. After moving back to Spain, I recognize that I appreciate the European mentality, the way of life and am ready to stay, to settle and to build a network, a way of working, and a feeling of self.

For me it is important to have a sense of ownership over my career and a sense of belonging in my community. After a master’s in design, I began to develop a project which later involved into a business that starts to consume me. Pulled in different directions. Wearing several hats I start to ask. “What is worth it?” I learn new skills, improve organization and manage my stresss. But soon enough I start to loose time for experimentation, reflection and discovery, and have less time for what I really enjoy. Business and personal life become all consuming and financially stressful. But part of the rush feeds me. In a way I don’t know how do things differently. I enjoy keeping active and busy but am seeking a situation, where I could be free financially and be able to focus on more creative aspects of my work.

For me, sleep is essential. Good relationships and a sense of growth through learning is what keeps me going. Planning far ahead remains challenging but I am working to create such a vision. I aspire to build my own house, have a self sustaining business that is both economically lucrative, creative and impactful. I know that life is full of phases and is curious to see how my phases will evolve. Perhaps a focus on family will take center stage in the future.