Artist Statement:
“Making do” was a necessity growing up. Little did I realize how much it would teach me. It forced me to use my imagination, often employing repurposed materials in the process. While my work is non-traditional, it expresses very traditional values: To Make The Most of What You’ve Got. This has now become a chosen way of life.
Biography:
Jul Kamen was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated with a BA in Studio Art from Indiana University of PA. At the age of 5 her father gave her a handsaw, and at age 8 her mother taught her to sew. She has been making and designing things ever since.
After graduating college, Jul landed a job as a craftsperson at the corporate headquarters of Chuck E. Cheese. Starting off making feet and noses, she rose to Director of Entertainment, responsible for the design and roll-out of costumes, characters, sets, and decor company wide.
When her husband Alan was offered a job in Nassau, Bahamas, Jul dove into the world of quilting. Inspired by the culture and native batik fabrics, Jul’s very first quilt was purchased by the Bahamian government as their gift to Queen Elizabeth. Many others are owned by government officials, banks, private individuals, and hang in Nassau International Airport.
After 14 years, Jul and Alan returned to the States, making their home in Galveston, TX where they bought a corner grocery store built in 1885. Together they designed a loft style living space, reusing much of the materials found in the store. Their home was immediately featured on the Galveston Historic Homes tour and on HGTV’s program “ReZoned”, which focused on commercial spaces converted into unique living quarters.
Now living in Central Texas, Jul continues to work in a variety of mediums—but still with a purpose. Her passion is coming up with creative solutions to people’s design problems, be they interior spaces, artwork, fashion, wall treatments, organization—or what to do with Grandma’s jewelry. Being strongly project motivated, "Jul is not happy unless she has a problem”. That motivation is what continues to fuel most of Jul's work today.
Contact Information:
julkamen@icloud.com
(409) 354-1282
“Making do” was a necessity growing up. Little did I realize how much it would teach me. It forced me to use my imagination, often employing repurposed materials in the process. While my work is non-traditional, it expresses very traditional values: To Make The Most of What You’ve Got. This has now become a chosen way of life.
Biography:
Jul Kamen was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated with a BA in Studio Art from Indiana University of PA. At the age of 5 her father gave her a handsaw, and at age 8 her mother taught her to sew. She has been making and designing things ever since.
After graduating college, Jul landed a job as a craftsperson at the corporate headquarters of Chuck E. Cheese. Starting off making feet and noses, she rose to Director of Entertainment, responsible for the design and roll-out of costumes, characters, sets, and decor company wide.
When her husband Alan was offered a job in Nassau, Bahamas, Jul dove into the world of quilting. Inspired by the culture and native batik fabrics, Jul’s very first quilt was purchased by the Bahamian government as their gift to Queen Elizabeth. Many others are owned by government officials, banks, private individuals, and hang in Nassau International Airport.
After 14 years, Jul and Alan returned to the States, making their home in Galveston, TX where they bought a corner grocery store built in 1885. Together they designed a loft style living space, reusing much of the materials found in the store. Their home was immediately featured on the Galveston Historic Homes tour and on HGTV’s program “ReZoned”, which focused on commercial spaces converted into unique living quarters.
Now living in Central Texas, Jul continues to work in a variety of mediums—but still with a purpose. Her passion is coming up with creative solutions to people’s design problems, be they interior spaces, artwork, fashion, wall treatments, organization—or what to do with Grandma’s jewelry. Being strongly project motivated, "Jul is not happy unless she has a problem”. That motivation is what continues to fuel most of Jul's work today.
Contact Information:
julkamen@icloud.com
(409) 354-1282