My first reaction was ...“Are you kidding me?” Every time I have been published in any Stampington & Company publication I am completely floored! The thrill of it never lessens!

I get my inspiration from every day life! I find simple inspiration from a song or a dance or just from nature. Sometimes it can be as simple as something my 8-year-old daughter might say that inspires me. She is a reflection of me and I never cease to be amazed at the marvelous things a child can say! Oh, and one can never forget about the inspiration from a thrift store or yard sale

I think we all have been creating some kind of art since our first conscious recollections. I remember going with my dad to his work. He did printed circuit board photography. It was a transparent layer to be used in the mapping out process of the circuit board. I know that sounds really complicated, but I think I just fell in love with the whole dark room experience when I went to work with him. I was so intrigued by the whole process. It was such intricate and detailed work. Spending time alone in the darkroom solving all of the details of the chemical solutions and processes is something that I find very therapeutic!

I love anything that is tactile or very visual. My dad was a photographer as a hobby outside of his regular job. I think I get my art talent from him. He was not a very verbal person, but you always could see what he was thinking in his eyes. I find myself to be very much like him. I really struggle with words on paper. I'd rather convey my thoughts through something visual or something that I've created with my hands. I really enjoy the process of composing a beautiful photograph. For me it's like painting with light. Effective lighting is one of the most important elements in a well planned image. My blog (www.juliebergmann.typepad.com) for example, is pretty visual. I would say it is lacking the poetic words of most bloggers — I would rather post a beautiful photograph. To me, it says more than words can.

Some of the earliest memories that I have are ones that involve looking at pictures of my mother and father. I have always cherished the wonder of "where it was when" someone took that photograph. What were they doing? What were they thinking when they took the photograph. It is a cherished moment in time. One that can never be replaced. A memory that lasts forever!

This is really a good question! I was so intimated to submit my work. A little voice in my head would always scream out, "What if I get rejected?" I had to come to the realization that if that was the worst thing that could happen I should take my chances. So ask yourself, "Why not?" I have been very fortunate in winning many awards for my art and my hand tinted black-and-white photography has been published for use in greeting cards, art prints and stock photographs. However, I think there is always that small little voice of doubt that rings loud in all of our heads that says, "You’re not good enough." I have learned from this experience to believe in yourself first, then others will follow!

I have been asked to teach a class at the 2009 ZNE ConvenZioNE. It is intimidating as well as exciting. So I will be preparing for that. I will also start selling some of my photographic art, mixed-media and papier mâché on Etsy. I try as hard as I can to keep up with blogging. It can sometimes feel a little overwhelming to stay on top of it, but I find it so rewarding to meet other artists that have a common interest in art. I love stumbling upon a new blog that just wows me. There’s great eye candy on so many blogs!

I wish I had an answer for that other than art. I feel like art envelopes my life. I do consider my family as number one in my life, and I was fortunate enough to have married an artist. So being an artist myself, how can we together “not” have had artistic children! My oldest son Ryan, who is 20, is in a band. My younger son Cody, who is 18, is a very talented artist and loves to paint and draw. My youngest daughter, Mackenzie, who is 8- years-old, is completely convinced she will be the next American Idol and is always singing and dancing! I don't want to discourage her or any of my other children to just do what they love. We need to live our dream! Who says we can't?

“Talent is always conscious of its own abundance, and does not object to sharing.” (Alexander Solzhenitsyn). This is my favorite quote because I love it when another artist shares a technique of theirs with me. I am constantly trying to learn something new. It drives me as an artist, and I hope I can always return the favor. I feel like that is my way to “pay it forward.”