6.5 Years Post-Graduation, I’m a Beading Artist by Yuliya K. '18

About 6.5 years ago, I graduated with a Philosophy degree and a minor in Political Science.

Two and a half years ago, after graduating again from Northwestern University’s science and health journalism program, I returned to the blogs to let people know: “I did not graduate from MIT on time due to mental health issues, but I’m thriving, and I’m a health journalist.”

Today, another twist: It wasn’t a mental health issue, and I’m no longer a writer—I’m a beading artist.

That may sound like fundamentally straying from the path set up by my education, but it was meant to be. I’m going to explain and sprinkle some of my artworks throughout—here’s piece #1.

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave” – Beaded Reproduction

A quick recap of what I did between graduating and becoming a full-time artist (in the most non-linear path I could find on Canva):

Somewhere in there, I also discovered that, good news, I wasn’t sleeping through 90% of my college classes because of a vague mood disorder. Bad news: The culprit was (and is) a rare and under-researched sleep disorder. And yes, a chronic incurable diagnosis is terrifying to discover. But what a relief to know that, with the right medication—if only I got referred to the right specialist—I could’ve woken up for 100% of my classes! Imagine thinking for years that it’s all in your head… And overnight, you learn that it’s “sleep inertia” and actually you can wake up so easily if you have those meds.

I could insert a million-word rant about the U.S. healthcare system here: From the way fat patients (like me) get denied appropriate care to how few answers providers actually have—and how much their lives are complicated by zealously money-saving insurance companies… But instead: art!

Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” – Beaded Reproduction

So what now? Well, the one medication FDA-approved for my sleep disorder didn’t magically fix everything. In the fall of 2023, I quit my senior management position—the one I thought was the peak of corporate American dreams. In the fall of 2024, no longer able to produce thoroughly researched medical articles, I stopped health writing too.

What I could still produce, though, was art. And I loved it! In the midst of so much leaving my list of accessible opportunities, I had something that brought me joy, hope, and peace.

Love is Love in Lincoln Park, Chicago – Beaded Art

For months before I quit my writing job, I’d been sharing my work with the world: through local artisan stores, galleries, art shows, and artisan markets—spaces I revered from a distance until mid-2024. Now I’m part of them!

Beaded Art Display at a Chicagoland Gallery

Beading in particular is how I honor my Ukrainian origins, but the patterns are often inspired by my current home, Chicago. I specialize in loom beading, sourcing often-rare top-quality seed beads—woven together with fishing line. The beads come in iridescent, metallic, matte, and luster finishes. About 2,000 of them per piece create a beautiful gleam.

By now, I see city scenes and artworks in bead colors. When the combination feels right, I make the beading pattern a reality.

And the rest of the time? I’m still living with the love of my life, and every day I get to look out at the beautiful Chicago skyline, including the Sears Tower, from our apartment. In the last half year, we got two best cats and a car (which we’d learned to drive just a month before).

Strawberry (left) and Clunk

Living with chronic illness sucks, and I can’t wait for the new medication approvals I was promised. But if I didn’t have a disability, perhaps being a senior manager would remain at the peak of my dreams. I would’ve missed out on the amazingly welcoming Chicago artist and disabled communities. I would’ve never felt the thrill of someone connecting with my art—that one piece I put hours into, carefully selecting thousands of tiny, sometimes uneven beads with a 5-inch needle.

In February, I’ll be joining my first art gallery exhibit. If you’re in the area, reach out—I hope to see you there. I’m also happy to answer any of your questions via email. And check out more of my art here: yuliyaklochan.com/beaded-art.

Chicago Bean and Millennium Park – Beaded Art

When I applied to MIT, it was as a prospective math major and current math enthusiast. Through a long and winding 11-year path, I’m a disabled Chicago artist. I love it.

Thank you for supporting the blogs!

Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” – Beaded Reproduction

Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” – Beaded Reproduction