Today we introduce you to @veliadeiuliis. Velia is an artist who uses her work to bring awareness to endangered species here on planet earth. Fun fact... Did you know scientists believe earth has lost half of its wildlife in the past 40 years? Thank you Velia for being a beacon of hope, change and awareness with your help I pray we can bring a voice to the voiceless. How about we try to stop killing everything on earth y’all? Does that sound like a good plan?

What are things that bring you joy in the world? A good ol’ bubble bath with French tunes, candles & a glass of red. Watching my doodle chase birds at the beach & seeing people pick up trash.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self? Just bloody do it & stop overthinking jeez! haha

What does being a woman mean to you? Being a woman brings me great pride as the strongest people I admire are female. It means I have a responsibility to all the women who came before me & didn’t have a chance to pursue their creative dreams to do them justice & to encourage future generations of ladies to do anything they put their heart & mind to.

When you look in the mirror what do you see? A very happy & thankful human!

Last read and what did you take away? Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - fascinating narrative interlaced with humor makes for a fabulous read.

How do you keep yourself psychologically healthy? 4 words! boxing, biking, running, surfing! I find that boxing has proven to be incredibly beneficial not only from a physical standpoint but also mentally. It requires intricate hand-eye coordination, strategy & physical strength. I’m lucky enough to have a gal gang to practice with. I find that breaking my day up with different forms of movement allows me to be more productive in the studio & generally a happier person.

How do you keep yourself physically healthy?

What woman in history has inspired your strength? Jane Goodall, Billie Holiday & most importantly my mama. From environmental activism & animal preservation, soul-moving melodies to endless support & encouragement, these women have all inspired me through their own strengths.

What do you want to tell men who don’t understand?

Mantra of the moment? Protect your dreams - This is from The Pursuit of Happyness but it stuck with me and I continue to hold onto it as a constant reminder.

Tell me one Velia fun fact.... As a kid, I wanted to be a contortionist for Cirque du Soleil. I even went to circus school!