Moonshadow Makers Workshop began as a little Etsy shop selling handmade books and bookmarks, originally named Octopages. Over time, the shop evolved into something broader and more expansive as it slowly became the community-based creative project that it is today. Our goal is to create a quirky and welcoming community space for people of all ages to explore their creativity and learn new skills, or simply to find unique handmade gifts and treasures.

Our name was inspired by the song "Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens. This song is a favorite at the fine arts camp that was a key part of Julian's development as both a teacher and an artist, and it also embodies the spirit of optimism that is part of a healthy approach to making art. As artists and makers, we will inevitably face challenges and disappointments and it is so important to keep going, to learn from our mistakes or even to celebrate them and work them into our art in creative ways.

Meet Your Teacher: Julian Lacombe

Julian has always been a creative and a storyteller at heart, and dreamed of being a teacher from a young age. He received his M.A. in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from the University of the Pacific in 2017 and taught at a charter school in Stockton for two years, where he designed and pioneered a middle school fine arts program. From there, he voyaged to the Bay Area and taught art and animation classes for all ages at the Walt Disney Family Museum. Over the years, he has also taught after-school drawing classes for elementary students and taught art at a fine arts summer camp in El Dorado County.

In his personal art, Julian draws inspiration from themes of fantasy and nature. He primarily works in mixed media using paper, clay, and various objects and adornments. On occasion, he also dabbles in digital art. You can often find him vending at artisan markets around Chico and Northern California.