Exploring Identity Through Art

Julie Acosta is a multidisciplinary artist based in California whose work explores identity, memory, and cultural storytelling. Working primarily in animation, mixed media, and illustration, her practice weaves together personal narratives and collective histories, often drawing from Indigenous perspectives and lived experience. Julie holds a B.A. in Art from UC Santa Cruz, where she deepened her interest in visual storytelling and cultural representation.

Her work is inspired by community, family, and the land—blending traditional techniques with playful experimentation. From frame-by-frame animation to hand-drawn illustration, Julie’s creative process is rooted in curiosity and care. She is also the author of Xiutla, a cultural fiction novel that reflects her passion for storytelling across mediums.

Through her art, Julie creates space for connection, reflection, and reimagining. Her practice continues to evolve as she explores themes of belonging, voice, and visibility.

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About Me

I’m a content strategist and marketing professional with experience supporting social media, visual branding, and digital marketing initiatives across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Substack. I create platform-ready visuals, write captions and short-form scripts, manage content calendars, and track performance using tools like TikTok Analytics and Meta Business Suite. With a background in graphic design, I produce clean, on-brand assets that drive engagement, support clarity, and align with campaign goals.

I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication Management at USC, where I’m strengthening my skills in strategic communication, research, and organizational messaging. This work complements my hands-on experience and allows me to approach content as part of a larger system shaped by audience, data, and business objectives.

I’m seeking an entry-level marketing or content-focused role where I can contribute immediately, continue building my skills, and grow within a collaborative team.

Outside of my professional work, I am also an author and multidisciplinary creative. My projects focus on storytelling, identity, and cultural perspective, which informs how I approach content development, narrative structure, and audience connection in my marketing work.

Authorships

Set in 16th-century Mexico and Spain, Xiutla tells the story of Ysabel Xuihtlamiyaual, a young Nahua woman from the lush, vibrant valley of Xiutla, and her journey to preserve her people's heritage amid the Spanish conquest. Ysabel, the daughter of a chieftain, finds herself a bridge between her indigenous roots and the Spanish world, balancing love, resilience, and duty as she enters an arranged marriage with a Spanish nobleman. Through generations, her legacy endures, carried forward by her grandson Tlamatini, who seeks to reclaim his heritage and connect with the land and spirit of his ancestors. Xiutla is a powerful narrative of cultural pride, transformation, and the quest to keep one’s identity alive across time and adversity.

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Set on an Apache reservation in the American Southwest, The Rez Detectives Club: Before Dark follows a group of young investigators as they work to understand a mystery unfolding within their community. What begins as a local incident quickly deepens, revealing patterns that feel less like coincidence and more like something that has happened before. As they search for answers, they must rely on observation, instinct, and what they know about the world around them, even when the truth isn’t easily explained. The Rez Detectives Club is a story of curiosity, responsibility, and the tension between seeking answers and recognizing that not everything is meant to be uncovered—especially before dark.

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Indigenous Narratives

I recently launched the Indigenous Narratives TikTok and YouTube channel — a digital storytelling space that explores Native identity, culture, and representation in contemporary media. Through short-form videos, I share insights on Indigenous history, storytelling, and community voices, while connecting traditional knowledge with modern conversations. The channel aims to create authentic representation, spark dialogue, and highlight stories that often go untold.

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Julie Acosta - Artist & Digital Storyteller

Captivating Artistry Rooted in Indigenous Narratives