About Me

I was born in 1970 (best. year. ever.) so in my most formidable years, I naturally became a product of 80’s pop culture.

Most of my art is inspired by pop art, *new* (read: retro) fabrics and stickers, (except for the henna), but my personal tastes vary from coloring books to velvet paintings, from Folk Art to Photography, from van Gogh to Mark Ryden, and WAAAYYY beyond.

When I was a kid (like 7 years old), I used to pretend to work for Hannah Barbara as one of their cartoonists.  That didn't pan out.

After studying Fine Art Photography in college (1988-92), I envisioned myself as a photographer for National Geographic.  That didn’t happen either.

I wasn’t sure what to do after college, so I went to graduate school to become an Art Teacher (1995).  Teaching Art in Miami-Dade Public Schools was fun (for about 2 years) but I decided to work for myself and started my henna tattooing business in 1997. 

I love pregnancy and birth and beautiful bellies so I currently specialize in henna tattoos for pregnant women. 

When I got pregnant in 1999 with my first daughter, I painted her room and loved it so much, I started doing it for others as well, and my mural painting business began.  That led to painting wood furniture as well, which is currently my main focus with my sustainable step stools.

I am overjoyed to be able to offer locally hand-made step stools from recycled/reclaimed wood, because sustainability is very important to me (and the planet) and I prefer to be a part of the solution.

Props to Zeke John for working with me on the step stools.  He’s amazing!  johnofalltrades@live.com.

I try to forget everything I learned in art school as I strive to become less inhibited.

Conscious Discipline® is a very important part of every aspect of my life.  Google it.

Guided By Voices is pretty much my favorite band.  I am completely obsessed (in a healthy way, of course), with the music, the band, the man, the art, the community of fans and all the side projects that have stemmed from GBV.  They rock and I feel that my life is better because of them.

I have perfect vision, I am missing 2 permanent teeth (never had them to begin with), and I have no known allergies (although that seems to be changing as I get older).

I enjoy getting tattoos, but I am vegan (since 1997), so it’s a conflicting issue at times (because most inks are not vegan).  I get over it pretty easily though. 

I still love to play Galaga and pogo to punk music in my Chucks (or Doc Martens).  I also play “Mama” to 2 amazing girls, and “Wifey” to the greatest guy in the world. 

I love my life and feel lucky to be able to produce art when I have the time, which is becoming more and more of a priority of mine.

My childhood name is JULIE BECKER and my mom used to call me JUJUBEE, which I adore, so that’s that.