About Julie Soul, Founder of Soul Sparklettes Art
Full confession: I didn’t go to school to be an artist.
Why? Because my parents didn’t feel it “would get me a real job”. I know. Sadly at the time that I went to college, however, I wasn’t flooded with all of the incredible images that artists and art teachers are capable of. So instead I went for writing, and ended up with that degree and a Master’s degree in psychology. In the meantime, I was sneaking off to audit my roommate’s classes, and doing her art homework alongside her.
As a child, I spent hours drawing in my bedroom, covering every notebook surface I could get my hands on. I wrote stories – novels, even! And I illustrated the characters, where they lived, what they wore.
As soon as I had kids, I immediately had art supplies in their hands, and all of their friends over as well. I hosted art-themed play dates that were non-stop festivities of paint and glitter, and I still teach art to our community at the park, at the library, or wherever I can find the room as gigantic, messy celebrations of color and expression.
I’m also a homeschooler from the beginning to my two intrepid and creative Sparklettes who do art every single day as a part of our general routine.
But something was bothering me.
Homeschoolers told me that teaching art was out of their reach and that they weren’t welcomed in other art teaching communities.
Art teachers told me that they were tired of the same old lessons, and they were feeling burnt out and uninspired.
So I set out to change all of that, because I had the same problem. I didn’t feel like I had a true community. I felt like I was stifled, and in communities where I wasn’t supposed to learn and grow – or to do what artists do best – communicate with like minded and compassionate others.
The joy of creating art is that we are all different – and I never saw those differences encouraged.
And I could never find art lessons that fit my creative spirit, or that of my kids and students. I needed art lessons that banished boredom and were fun for kids (dragons! pirates! aliens!) as well as taught the robust art curriculum that I wanted to give my kids – diverse artist studies, the elements of art and principles of design, and multiple mediums.
So after failing to find what I wanted, I decided to create both the lessons and the community and ensure that it got into the hands of others who loved to teach art to kids as much as I did. This is how Sparkleschooling and The Glitter Bomb Art Curriculum was born. Through the Glitter Bomb and our membership the Glitterbombers, I’m able to reach thousands of homeschoolers and art teachers and empower and inspire them through their art teaching journey – whether they are teaching 1 or 700.
When I’m not covered in paint and chalk pastels, I love traveling the world (pre-Covid!), practicing my Italian and German, playing games and tennis, hiking, reading, listening to podcasts, and visiting coffee houses where I probably drink way too many shots of espresso. You can also find me on Clubhouse at @soulsparklettes.
Reach out to me anytime. I would love to talk with you.