Meet Our New Board Member – Julie Gustafson

We are thrilled to welcome Julie Gustafson to our Executive Board. As the President of MJG Advisory with decades of experience in the finance sector, Julie’s passion and energy is sure to strengthen our organization.

In our ongoing conversation series, studio artists interview new board members to introduce them to our community. Julie and studio artist Ted Gram-Boarini met on zoom this month for the latest installment.

 

TED: All right. How did you find Arts of Life and why are you interested?

JULIE: Back in 2019,  I was walking through the Chicago Cultural Center on my way to a meeting and stopped to see the exhibition called In Good Company,  which was an exhibition that featured Arts of Life artists. I loved the art, so I took some pictures of the work and the placards with my phone. Later, I looked at the [Arts of Life] website and reached out to Denny Fisher to learn more. 

TED: And why are you interested? 

JULIE: Well, I’ve always been an advocate and a believer in supporting people who do things that I cannot do. I’m going to let you in on a secret, Ted:  a lot of people don’t know but I am not a visual artist. I’m a good writer, but I’m not very good at creating art. I love and appreciate it, though. Each of us has our own unique talents. For me, being able to support others to be and to do their best is a wonderful experience. That brings me joy.

TED: In fact, I am a comic book artist and a musician, which we will get to. 

JULIE: Yes! That was one of my questions for you, Ted. I did jot down a few questions so I can ask you, too! 

TED: We will get to your questions, but first why do you want to be a board member?

JULIE: I was so excited to be asked, because I love art. I come from the finance world. I was in banking for a very long time,  and found that my experience is something that organizations like Arts of Life can use. I understand money and investment management, philanthropy and fundraising.  I find that by being a board member, I’m able to use my experience to support artists like yourself to have the available resources to do what you do–create–and make people happy through your art.

TED: I am actually looking for someone who can help with a comic book.

JULIE: What kind of support do you need?

TED: Writing skills. I can do the art. 

JULIE: Maybe we can find a writing volunteer to help you,  so that you can continue to focus on the artistic part of it.

TED: Yeah. It’s a graphic novel and there’s a lot to work on. Ok, back to the questions – have you worked with people with disabilities?

JULIE: In my younger days before college, I volunteered in classrooms with classmates who had physical and intellectual disabilities. As an adult, I’m involved with Special Olympics Illinois and am a member of their Foundation Board. Similar to art, I have a little bit of sporting talent, but not a lot. Sometimes I get picked on by Special Olympics athletes, but it’s done in the spirit of fun–not serious or mean–and makes you feel good. I’m grateful and have learned so much. 

TED: I know something about being picked on. But I’ve actually played bocce. 

JULIE: Very cool! I used to play soccer. It’s the one sport I can say that I’m actually pretty good at, or used to be before I got old. I do love watching it, and I used to coach. 

TED: That ties in with one of my questions – what are you passionate about?

JULIE: Besides art, soccer and people? My job! I run a company called MJG Advisory which helps other organizations and individuals – including artists – by figuring out problems or issues they’re struggling with. It may involve marketing, fundraising, or research. I find opportunities for clients to reach their goals. I also love cooking quite a bit. I love to read and write, including about art. And theatre. 

TED: What kind of art do you like? 

JULIE: Hmm. Ted, what kind of art don’t I like?! I like all kinds of art. I didn’t study art when I was in school. But my grandmother and schoolteachers took me to museums, and I’ve worked with a number of art collectors (and still do). They’ve taught me about why they collect and what they collect. I enjoy going to museums, to art fairs and to exhibitions. I’m always learning. I like learning about process so I ask a lot of questions – watch out, because I do! Because of Covid, we all haven’t been together as much as we would like. One type of art that I’ve really become interested in is murals, also public/outdoor art. Personally, those have kind of helped me cope with Covid because much of it is outdoors and safe to go to. Also, I like textiles. 

TED: I actually have two types of work – acrylic and watercolor – and then comic books. Next question – do you have any new ideas to bring to the table to help us grow?

JULIE: Well, I’m really excited to get to know everyone! Making more people aware of Arts of Life through the wonderful work that’s being created in the studios and exhibited in the galleries. I look forward to using my abilities to bring more people to the party, to bring on new cheerleaders for Arts of Life. 

TED: That would definitely be helpful. Are you good at being a team player?

JULIE: Absolutely!  I don’t know who said this, but you know there’s no ‘I’ in team. What I love about working in a team is having the ability to learn from others and to understand their views and ideas as we’re all working towards a common goal. We are all interested in moving in the same direction, and to having fun while we do it. 

TED: One final question and then you can ask your questions. What things do you find easy and what do you find hard?

JULIE: What I find easy is being able to help others find solutions. What do I find hard? It’s frustrating, because it’s impossible to be good at everything, right? Definitely, creating a beautiful work of art as you do. I find that really hard. It’s incredible what you do, but it would be hard for me. I find it very easy to appreciate, though. Oh, and technology. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard!

TED: I’m done with my questions so go for it. 

JULIE: Ted, I went onto the Arts of Life website. Your work is beautiful and colorful. Where do you get inspiration for your artwork?

TED: I draw inspiration from my parents.

JULIE: That is wonderful! Fantastic answer, because our families are really what keeps us going. And when we put out in the world what is inspired by that love is just amazing. I appreciate the fact that from your parents, you have developed very distinct talents. Very cool.

A related question is: when you’re working on a piece of art how much time does it normally take you to complete one piece? Is it something that you start and then maybe you think about a little bit, and then come back to it? How does that work?

TED: It takes hours, days. It might take days. It’s taken me longer lately. 

JULIE: Well, your work is absolutely amazing!! Just never ask me to choose a favorite piece because I won’t be able to do it. Well, you asked me some tough questions – I have one for you now. You mentioned drawing your own comics and your paintings. We talked about your work in acrylics and your love of watercolors. Plus,  music— the Van Go Go band, and that’s obviously something that you know you love and you’re very good at. Do you have a favorite among them?

TED: I love them all. It’s about the focus. A friend of mine when I first came to Arts of Life said we would make a deal – that for the first three weeks I had to just make art before I started on music or anything else and then I could move on. 

JULIE: That’s a lot of discipline and balancing of time as well. So here’s my last one:  how long have you been with Arts of Life, and when someone new asks you about Arts of Life, what do you tell them are the things that you enjoy the most? 

TED: I’ve been here nine years. And we have a lot of fun. I’ve taught. I’ve created.

JULIE:  I don’t know how you find the time to do all of this. You’re my new hero! It takes a lot of focus and passion.

TED: Yeah. Our band is looking for gigs too if you have any events coming up. 

JULIE: Yeah, absolutely! I recently spoke with the staff and that’s how I found out that you guys were on hiatus because of Covid. Which is not uncommon. In so many ways we’ve all been on hiatus, but it’ll get better and we’ll get the band some gigs. I’m really good about finding gigs. That’s the kind of stuff I can do. 

TED: Because of the virus, we made a video of the song that I wrote called Head to Head. JULIE: I saw it. It was very cool! I could go on forever so I reserved it to these questions. But I know I’ll be chatting with you again soon. Ted, I want to thank you so much for the awesome questions. I tend to get nervous. Videos are a part of my work, but normally I’m asking all the questions! So, you made this a lot of fun. Thank you so much!