Bursting with creativity

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This article was published 24/11/2020 (1773 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Whether building an elaborate ‘catio’ for her cats Jackson, Jelly and Jynx, making journals using vintage hardcover books to create one-of-a-kind treasures, hand-painting and distributing rocks with meaningful words, or working on a documentary about Rwanda, Julie Epp embodies all things creative.

Winnipeg-born Epp is a filmmaker, graphic designer, trained art therapist and personal coach. She’s also a crafter, photographer, videographer and writer.

“I feel like creativity is just inside me — and it wants to come out. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m always making art as we typically think of it. It might just be expressed in the way I decorate my home (which I change constantly), the way I cook a meal, or the way I wrap a present,” said the 44-year-old Wolseley resident.

One of Epp’s more involved projects has been the making of a film about Rwanda and what can be learned from a country recovering from trauma and crisis.

“We (me and my small awesome team) are working on a documentary feature film called A New Rwanda that focuses on the healing of the country 25 years after the genocide against the Tutsi.

“I believe the world has a lot to learn from Rwanda’s story. We were actually supposed to return in March 2020 to finish filming, but our trip was cancelled as the world shut down for COVID less than two weeks before we were supposed to leave. Things have kind of been on hold for now until we know when we can return,” she said.

It was in Rwanda that Epp met and quickly bonded with a young man who would soon become her son.

“Claude and I first met when I travelled to Rwanda 10 years ago for a narrative training but we connected more deeply in 2013 and that’s when we adopted each other as mother and son. Claude and I talk every day, and I try to find ways to offer support and advice from across the world. Claude and his girlfriend are actually pregnant so I am going to be a grandma. I’m super-excited for them, and a bit worried about the challenges they will face. And I’m sad that I don’t know when I’ll be able to travel back there to see them and meet the new baby,” Epp explained.

Epp and her team have managed to fund the documentary project through self- and crowd-funding and they did get a producer last year, which is a big step towards seeing the project through to the end. They’re hoping to find a broadcaster and financial support to complete the film.

Though she only started making films at the age of 40, her first few short films were award-winners.

“I love that I can use my creativity to help tell stories that are important, or to try to challenge someone’s perspective.”

“I’m one of those people that believes that each person has the power to make a difference in the world, and I have always felt that it is my responsibility to do what I can for the betterment of humanity. I try to spread love, kindness, compassion and positivity in any way that I can.”

To find out more about Epp’s work, visit: https://www.julieepp.com or find her on Facebook and Instagram.