Dear Deviant Art,

WOW!!!! HI!!! It actually feels good to be back, i think.... hehe... So it's been about 4 whole years since my last journal entry and I JUST uploaded about 10 new pieces from the past 2 years. I've only become active here on DA for the first time in about 2 years a few weeks ago. For anyone interested, here's a quick update on what I've been up to since.

I graduated from UARTS with a degree in Illustration in 2008 (5 years late and i don't care, i FINISHED dammit haha). I spent many months looking for work and I worked some odd freelance jobs doing tattoo, t-shirt, concept, band merchandise, production art, logo and cd packaging design work. BUT I found that the already difficult illustration working world had been hit hard by the recession as well (at the time of graduation) and i soon became disinterested with looking for steady work and just held regular 9-5 jobs. And the truth is, around here in the New Jersey/Philly area, there's a MUCH bigger market for graphic design than illustration. Waaaaaay more freelance work for an illustrator around here than a steady, full-time job with benefits. And I have student loans to pay, in addition to many other bills, so i MUCH prefer a steady job, something in-house. I didn't just wanna fall into some boring design job for the bland, soul-less corporate scene. However, in the meantime, I kept my creativity going, outside of my regular jobs or while unemployed, by submitting some of my work in local gallery showing by The Autumn Society in Philadelphia ([link]), but shortly after, became obsessed with music again.

I had always had a passion for music since i was about 8 years old, first learning to play the keyboard. By 16, i took up singing. Today, at 28, I am the lead singer/keyboardist  of 2 bands, one of which I founded myself and am very proud of. I started with Epic Exposure ([link]), playing great venues such as The Legendary Dobbs, World Cafe Live and The Grape Room in Philly. Soon after, I founded my own band with my sister and best friend called Yeah Son! ([link]).... i know... funny, but that is our name. We've actually also been doing very well in the local South Jersey area doing cover shows, but also writing original music and will soon break into the Philly original music scene.

Basically, the lack of steady, full-time illustration work in my area and my personal music endeavors have been the main reason I have become more distant from the art community and illustration (and DA as a result) in the past few years. BUT, I have always been a firm believer that ART and MUSIC go HAND IN HAND. So, there came a point where I wanted to fuse my artistic abilities with my music, which I'm currently doing (promotional posters, band merchandise, etc.) and... dammit, I just MISS drawing, painting, Photoshop, meeting and networking with other artists, and just looking at so many of the beautiful work being created by so many talented artists on here, and online in general. I'm glad to be back here at DA and hope to not only to back to spreading out word of my work (and maybe music) but also find much more inspiring, amazing work by other artists just like me... the fuel that keeps me in touch with my artistic and creative roots.

Word up,
               Julio