Julie Liger-Belair

Lead digital editor Brenna Lilly spoke with artist Julie Liger-Belair about sacred art, household altars, and the "muscle" of creativity.

The contrast in your assemblage pieces and collages is stunning—you often place nonchalant human subjects in vibrant, surrealist surroundings. How did you develop such a unique style?

I have always been fascinated by dreams and surreal worlds evoked in books, films, and artwork from many different cultures and times in history. I think humans have always been drawn to the realm of the “implausible” because it is so easily glimpsed in our own “real” world. From microscopic views of cells to photographs of our solar system, these strange worlds are tangible and are not just to be found in dreams.

How do you balance your artistic practice with your “everyday” life? Is there a line between the two?

My “everyday” life IS my art practice! Now that my kids are all in school and more independent, I am able to work full-time on my art. That certainly was not the case when they were little, and it was definitely a struggle to be able to find time to create. I’m very thankful that I can now be a full-time artist and work regular “office hours” in my garage studio at the back of my garden. But I guess my creative life also extends into my home life, too, as all three of my kids are amazing makers and artists in their own right and are often joining me in the studio during “off-work” hours to collaborate on various projects. I’m really lucky to be surrounded with creativity this way—it feeds my fire and propels me forward.