Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Luz
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve loved creating since I was little. My art classes were the only ones i loved at school; I started drawing, painting til middle school when I explored photography and taught myself graphic design and would sell virtual designs i made on Fiver and MySpace. When I became an adult, that was still present, but I integrated makeup art, cosplay and fashion. At 25 I was led to sobriety and it really catapulted me to the next phase in my life. It was 2020 and I was laid off from my 9-5 & I became curious over resin & mixed media so I started creating jewelry but a few months before COVID I had already brainstormed the idea without knowing a pandemic was going to happen months later. I call it divine timing & so it was. My shop and brand, Chica de Luz, started then. I use preserved botanicals and mixed media to create wearable art. Many of my designs are inspired by nature, my culture, whimsical & vintage aesthetics. Through becoming a creative entrepreneur I was able to use all the tools and skills I had taught myself from the first 15 years of my life. Among that time I started creatively expressing myself through visual art, photography, creative directing, and makeup art. It was then that worldwide brands started reaching out to me in the Summer of 2021, asking to collaborate with me as a Creative/Content Creator for the first time. It opened opportunities to work with brands I could have only dreamed of like Suavecito, TUK, Hot Topic, Good dye Young, to name a few.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all! Artists are like magicians we make it look easy because you get to see the final results. It takes having an entrepreneurial spirit to fall and get yourself back up over and over again. Most of the struggles I’ve faced were learning to create a blueprint to figure out how to be a full time creative. It hasn’t been a smooth road and there’s so much work no one sees that goes into but i do it because at the end of the day creating heals me and I want to cultivate more representation for my people and inspire young creatives and artists.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Creative Entrepreneur with a Creator led brand and business. I do everything from creative directing all my photo shoots, to my own modeling, editing, content creation for myself and brands, photography for my community, logistics and jewelry making for my small business, vending at events, & I recently started Djing with vinyl. I would say I specialize in bridging gaps of cultures, the alternative with the modern and vintage aesthetics. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I am a women of color artist that is a jack of all trades. I’ve learned to master everything I’ve set my mind on. Everything I do is an extension of myself I don’t put out anything I’m not proud of because I am the hardest on myself. Not letting imposter syndrome win i can say Im proud of any of my work I’ve done from my childhood to current. One of my favorite quotes is “The creative adult is the child who survived.” -Rita J. King
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Always be kind, loving and authentically yourself. As a creative you are your brand and a representation of your work. Never be afraid to show love to others and create connections to mutually support one another with an authentic intention to build community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chicadeluz.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicadeluz__?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Image Credits
@tesorito818
@hiiakaxochitl
@zosobabe
