We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ramon “REO” Owen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ramon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’ve always had this wild idea that I’d rather work for myself than for a boss. And the even crazier thought was to make a living from my creative talents. But let me tell you, it was anything but an overnight success. I had to learn how to juggle my finances, especially when my creative gigs decided to slow down. Saving up for those rainy days was a challenge in itself.

My journey had its share of cool moments, though. I dove deep into honing my craft, curated a killer portfolio, rubbed shoulders with creative folks, and even did a little branding work. Yet, even after 15 years in the creative game, I am still here. Inflation has made an impact, and tech keeps changing the music. Looking back, if I could time-travel, I’d probably tell my younger self to get better at managing money even when things are going well, keep riding the tech wave, and find a few more income streams. But hey, it’s been an amazing ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. The independence and passion I’ve found in this creative journey are worth all the twists and turns!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is REO, a multi-hyphenate creative: a visual artist, music producer, DJ, and director. My journey into this creative world began with a humble start as an illustrator and dancer before I pursued formal education in the arts at a Ringling School of Art and Design. College was where I had a eureka moment, discovering my passion for music. I dove headfirst into the world of music production, but I couldn’t help seeing art in music and vice versa.

While producing music for others, I often had a vision for the album cover or a music video treatment. For me, the lines between art and music were always blurred. As my music career progressed, I began to feel that the business side of it didn’t quite align with my artistic ambitions. I decided to pivot back to my roots in the visual arts. I invested in a camera, learned the intricacies of editing, visual effects, and 3D animation. This creative exploration led me to diverse projects: photography shoots, clothing design, and directing music videos for songs I produced.

What truly sets me apart is my unique gift of synesthesia. When music reaches my ears, it’s as if a vivid palette of colors paints the notes, and when my eyes meet visuals, I often discern the very sounds they should be accompanied by. This extraordinary ability imbues my work with an additional dimension of creativity and proves invaluable when collaborating with musicians seeking visual accompaniments or visual artists in search of a sonic counterpart.

But what I’m most proud of isn’t just my creative journey; it’s the integrity and sanity I’ve maintained throughout. There were moments that could have led me down a darker path, causing me to compromise my values and become someone I wouldn’t respect. However, I made the conscious choice to stay true to myself, even if it meant not achieving certain milestones as quickly as I might have. Creating art, be it from an idea in my head to a tangible song, video, or animation, is a deeply spiritual process for me. It feels like alchemy, and preserving the purity of that process is my utmost priority. It’s not just about the destination; it’s about how you journey there, and I’m proud of the path I’ve chosen.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to translate the intangible thoughts and emotions into tangible works of art. It’s like taking a piece of your soul, molding it into something that others can see, hear, or touch, and sharing it with the world. The creative process, whether through painting, music, writing, or any other medium, is a form of self-expression that allows you to communicate, connect, and inspire others on a profound level. There’s a sense of fulfillment in knowing that your creations can evoke emotions, spark conversations, or even change someone’s perspective, making the world a more vibrant and meaningful place.

What I particularly love is that many people turn to art and music to find something that resonates with how they feel. However, as an artist, we have the incredible privilege of creating exactly how we feel. Instead of seeking it outside ourselves, we dig deep within to discover the emotions, stories, and ideas that are uniquely ours, and then we bring them to life. This process is a journey of self-discovery, an exploration of our inner worlds, and it allows us to share the most authentic parts of ourselves with others. It’s a beautiful and empowering feeling to create from within, knowing that our art can be a mirror for others to see and relate to their own experiences.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During the period when my musical abilities began to align with the melodies in my mind, I started gaining recognition from major record labels. However, this promising phase was abruptly disrupted when I discovered a sizable lump near my collarbone, which turned out to be a tumor. After several months of medical tests, it was confirmed to be Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a relatively common form of cancer. I was utterly shattered and bewildered as to why this would happen to me, particularly at such a pivotal moment in my career.

Chemotherapy sessions every other week became my routine, and I spent most of my time bedridden. However, during those rare moments of energy, I found solace in creating music. It served as a channel for my pent-up anger and frustration, providing a reason to keep pushing forward. Music became a lifeline, a gift that allowed me to transmute my feelings into art. After enduring six months of chemotherapy and 17 days of radiation, I emerged victorious, cancer-free.

Remarkably, during my journey of recovery, some of the music I created during my illness reached the ears of a major label executive, resulting in a publishing deal. Shortly thereafter, I achieved a significant milestone: my first major label placement on Beyoncé’s album “Sasha Fierce.” It was a cosmic sign that not only did I belong in this world, but I also had so much more of life left to experience and share through my art.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thisreo
• Twitter: @thisreo

Image Credits
The photo of me was taken by Ysa Perez