Realism and pop-art artist Julia Brevetti: Push through the discomfort, create what is authentic to you, and the right people will appreciate it

Julia Brevetti is a Canadian realism and pop-art artist whom the most important thing in art is to evoke genuine emotions in people – whether positive or negative, it doesn’t matter. Her move to California sparked her realization to pursue art. Along her journey, Julia often encountered vintage cars, which inspired her to create her series of paintings "Vintage Cars". The painting "1952 Bentley" from this series was the first to be exhibited in one of the galleries. Although she found inspiration for her artistic journey while in California, she continues her work as an artist in Canada. Very soon, her new paintings will be showcased in Denver at the Rainy Days Gallery. The artist believes that art is an expression that cannot have a right or wrong way of being executed and that one should be less hard on themselves. Julia shared with Drive Music Media her thoughts on the beginning of her creative journey, her "Vintage Cars" series, and her plans for the future.

Interviewer: How and when did your career in the arts begin? Why did you choose this field?

Julia: Growing up, I was never great at math or science, but I always did well in my art classes. Throughout high school, I took art and would always paint whenever I was bored or stressed at home. During COVID, I started selling my paintings to make some extra money while I wasn’t working. I would sell paintings to friends or create them as gifts for birthdays. About a year and a half ago, I decided to take art more seriously. I hosted my first art gala, which was a great success. I then quit my serving job of 8 years to pursue painting full-time. I chose this field because I never wanted to work a 9-5 job or work for someone else. I found a way to make a living doing something I love, which is really awesome, and I’m grateful for it.

Interviewer: Tell us about your series of paintings featuring vintage cars. What inspired their creation, and how did this series become your signature style?

Julia: My first big trip was in 2023 when I moved to California on my own for the first time. It was such a pivotal moment for me, and being there was also when I decided to follow my dream of becoming an artist. I would always see really cool vintage cars that reminded me of the car my dad had when I was growing up. One day, I just decided to paint one but combine realism and pop art –this is why the cars are highly detailed but have a solid color background. It makes the car the focal point.

Interviewer: Is there a painting that will never be shown to the world but holds special meaning for you? Why is it so significant?

Julia: I started sharing my journey as an artist on social media, so I post almost every piece I create. I used to paint a lot of Marvel characters, and those paintings I haven’t shared much. Watching Spider-Man was something I used to do with my older brothers, so whenever I was sad, I would paint Spider-Man. Those pieces hold special meaning for me.

Interviewer: Tell us about your abstract paintings. What draws you to this genre?

Julia: I actually struggle a lot with abstract art. My brain works best when using a reference image, but recently, I’ve been wanting to explore this style more. However, I get frustrated when a painting doesn’t turn out the way I was hoping, so I try not to be too hard on myself. Art is about expression – there is no right or wrong way to do it – so I need to let go of the need to control how a painting turns out. It’s good to have direction with abstract art but also to be open to change.

Interviewer: Describe your painting technique. In your opinion, what sets your approach apart from other artists?

Julia: I think it’s hard to stand out as an artist sometimes because there’s so much art and so many styles that have already been done. A lot of art is also about pulling inspiration from previous artists. I see many people with a style similar to Basquiat’s, and others get upset about that. But I do think it’s harder to be completely original since so much has already been created. I also see many artists painting cars, and their work is amazing. I try not to be too influenced by other artists because I sometimes find myself drawn to their style. I have to remind myself to stay true to my own artistic voice.

Interviewer: Among the artworks you’ve shared, which one holds the most special meaning for you? Why?

Julia: I think the one I did of the white Bentley with the red background. That was my first piece of art that was put up in a gallery, so it’s very special to me.

Interviewer: What challenges have you faced on your artistic journey? What advice would you give to emerging artists? And what advice do you wish you had received at the beginning of your career?

Julia: I have faced many challenges – financial, creative, and physical. I didn’t realize that being a full-time artist also meant being a full-time businesswoman. The business aspect of art is a whole other world, and I was never a numbers person in school, so that is something I still struggle with. However, it’s getting easier as I make mistakes and figure things out.

Financially, it can be stressful when you’re unsure of the next time you’ll make a sale. You see money going out of your account to pay for supplies – which can be costly – but no money coming in, sometimes for months. Then, you can have a month where you make a lot of money. It’s not super consistent, and sometimes I think about going back to working in a restaurant, but you just have to push through and believe in yourself. I also experience creative blocks more often now that painting is my job rather than something I do to relieve stress. I find it causes more stress because I’m constantly thinking of new ideas, worrying about money, and trying to finish commissions. When that happens, I reach out to the community I’ve built on social media for advice. The encouragement I receive is really inspiring and helps me keep pushing through. Ultimately, the advice I would give to other artists is the same advice that was given to me: push through the discomfort, create what is authentic to you, and the right people will appreciate it. Take breaks and take care of yourself. Don’t let other people’s opinions influence you. I wish I had known how hard it was going to be at the beginning, but I keep reminding myself that nothing great comes easy. True success comes from working through the hard times.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on?

Julia: I’m currently working on a few pieces for a restaurant opening in Toronto, and I just shipped seven pieces to a gallery called Rainy Days Gallery in Denver, Colorado. I think after these commissions, I’m going to take a break from commissioned work and focus on exploring a new style.

Interviewer: What is your mission as an artist? Why did you choose this particular path?

Julia: My mission as an artist is to live a life of freedom and share my work with others. I want people to feel something when they look at my art – whether it’s good or bad, I just want it to evoke emotion. If a piece resonates with someone, that’s amazing. I love that art gives me the freedom to travel instead of feeling tied down to one place. I draw inspiration from all over, which is incredible.

Interviewer: If you had to associate your art with a single word, what would it be? Why?

Julia: I would associate my art with precision. Whether it’s the clean, graphic realism of my car paintings or the structured abstraction of the blue-and-white grid, each piece feels deliberate, composed, and carefully thought out. There’s a balance between control and expression, making my work both striking and refined.

Pictures were provided by Julia Brevetti