We had the good fortune of connecting with Julia Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The 444 building was purchased about 13 years ago by a very old friend of mine. He had been renting it out residentially and wanted to shift into non-residential tenants. Since we both grew up here and know loads of people he was showing me the space to see if I had any bright ideas… in that moment I had the brightest idea to claim the space myself and start a little vanity gallery. Fast forward to a few months later, I opened JMG with 18 new pieces and was sold out in 24 hours. Great problem to have, but terrifying, as I don’t work fast. So I had to kinda hit the ground running and began reaching out to other artists I had shown with over the years to offer exhibitions and the rest is history. She continues to grow very organically, ten years in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think at a certain point, breaking the rules is what propels us forward. For artists this is certainly critical anyway, and I think we have to keep breaking our own as we go – we don’t realize we’re constantly setting self imposed rules- in a cyclical sense. I try to stay curious about materials. This helps. I’m currently playing in the realm of simplicity and line while fantasizing about full blown maximal fields of abstraction. As a painter who’s been primarily fixated on the human figure and the abstraction of portraiture, these directions feel like total anarchy. That’s how we keep things fun and interesting. Fun being relative and more of a payoff, because let’s be real about the masochistic internal struggles that come with creating. That remains part of the journey (Or is that just me? Ha!) but over time I’ve learned to think of it as a game, a sort of internal game of chess. The stakes are what we make them. In the big scheme, they don’t exist. So approaching the work with the mindset of ultimate freedom is the goal. Amazing how much we can get in our own way….

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The recession special at Robert’s on one (or more) of the weekdays, late afternoon for sure. With a shot of tequila and a Miller Highlife. That fried bologna sandwich is heaven in a basket. I’m realizing while I’m typing that this is all going to center around food haha… Dozen for pastries, Peninsula for dinner, I love a walk through Fort Negley, maybe a film at Belcourt. If the weather’s nice, I’d probably try and line up some river time out at the Buffalo. Hopefully there would be a good show to catch at the Basement or Soft Junk and Drkmttr is always a good bet.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Loney Hutchins has been the most supportive landlord and friend I could have ever imagined. I deeply appreciate the freedom he affords me to alter the space and the excitement I feel from him about the work we do. He keeps overhead reasonable and is a cheerleader and that has meant more to me than I am able to put into words.

Website: juliamartingallery.com

Instagram: @juliamartingallery & julia333martin

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.