Matilda Julian
A note from Kerrie Phipps – I first met Matilda in a cafe in Dubbo in 2009, when she was making an offer on a property in nearby Geurie … and I’ve since reconnected with Matilda as she launched an art exhibition. Her latest big news is yet to be revealed, but there’s a significant exhibition that Matilda’s been invited to participate in… watch this space :)
Matilda Julian grew up in Bilpin, near the Blue Mountains, went to a public high school and went straight to Uni after finishing year 12. Matilda studied International Studies/ Law at UTS including spending one year living and studying in China. A recent move back to her property in Geurie has been welcomed by many in the creative community of the western region.
Law and Art, Lifestyle and Making a Difference
How is it that you now work as a lawyer and an artist?
I volunteered with the Aboriginal Legal Service in Dubbo, to be admitted as a lawyer and moved to Dubbo for my first job as a criminal law solicitor. I remained there for three years but became disillusioned with my limiting role as a lawyer so in early 2012 I moved to Alice Springs for a job as a youth worker. There, I felt I wasn’t using my skills, even though I was in a role to assist young people which is what I felt most strongly about at the time. I returned to NSW because I realised I should be using my skills and strengths. I moved back home to Bilpin, enrolled in a fine arts course at COFA, and obtained a role as a solicitor in a Community Legal Centre (CLC). I lasted one day at COFA and became quickly disillusioned at the CLC, because of the confinement of the role. It all made me realise I needed to help and use my strengths in my own way. I then set up my business as a sole practitioner to work from home in Geurie, and started to paint and draw again by myself and set up a studio/ office in my house.
Most recently I self-funded and organised my own solo exhibition as an artist in Dubbo with Alister Dyson-Holland from Suburban Coffee Co. as a pop-up art exhibition/ espresso bar ‘Fields and Flowers’. It was a great success and made me feel that anything is possible and that I am on the right path.
What do you love about doing business from your regional location?
Working from home in Geurie, near Dubbo allows me to do all the non-work things I want to do in life such as be a foster carer, maintain my garden and vegetables, and look after my animals. I can take my dog down to the river or have a cup of tea with my neighbour Anne in my breaks. Because I live and work in regional NSW, my living expenses are low so I can afford to have this kind of balanced life.
How do you move from dreamer to achiever?
I always thought of myself as more of a dreamer. My ideas have always come and gone. I have always though had high expectations of myself and what I want to achieve so I am always sharing my ideas and trying to get others excited by them. I made the decision to work for myself because leading a balanced life is very important to me. I believe in and trust myself which allows me to make brave decisions. I also don’t have significant financial or other commitments which allows me to take bigger financial risks.
Opening ‘Fields and Flowers’ though could not have been possible without collaboration. The other people involved in the project made it happen and made it successful. I feel my enthusiasm and collaboration is what can turn my dreams into achievements.
What do you believe are essential qualities of a successful person?
Success is different for everyone because everyone has different strengths and goals and dreams. I believe success comes with achievements of those dreams and using the strengths that have been given to you.
What does success mean to you personally?
My strengths are my artistic ability, my ability to communicate, and compassion. I feel successful because I am using my strengths in everything I am doing, and I have started achieving my goals.
Contact
Matilda Julian
Artist and Lawyer
Website – www.matildajulian.wordpress.com
email – matilda.julian[@]gmail.com
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