We recently connected with Adrianna Reloba and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Adrianna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’m sure most can relate to me when I say, “I am a big procrastinator.” On top of that, I’ve always felt that I move slower than others in many ways. I am an observer and think.. sometimes too much.. before I make a move.

I’ve always known I had to be an artist or work in some creative field. I’ve known this since kindergarten. Being that I also love animals, growing up my family and teachers more so influenced me to say that I wanted to be a veterinarian. I remember coming to school for career day dressed in a white coat with a stethoscope and a stuffed monkey around my neck. The realization that art wasn’t looked at as a career wasn’t known to me at that time.

Throughout my life the risks I have taken to be an artist have in some way earned validation from those around me. Seeing that art as a career is hard but indeed a very real thing.

The first risk that set my art career in motion was when I quit my job to be a full time model once I got signed to an agency in San Francisco. Born and raised in the city, I started my first job as a makeup artist at Sephora. I learned much about a new realm of artistry and met a lot of amazing people that made my next journey more known.

Knowing how much I procrastinate, which at the time was from a lack of confidence, I knew that if I wanted to be successful with this opportunity it needed to be my only means of income to start with. A lot of discipline needed to be learned and with this one opportunity came more as I put in the work. The thing with this field is that you can’t procrastinate because someone is always behind you for the job. Before I knew it, I had been model and acting full time for 8yrs. I matured through those years naturally and I can learn how valuable consistency is. That was the key to my next endeavors.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Today I am currently the owner of Lover and Muse, an online shop for my various handmade items, and recently Freedom Palette, a traveling paint class business.

From my start as a makeup artist and then extensively as a model and actress, I learned about the power of social media. Much of my success for Lover and Muse was made by a viral TikTok video of my work. I hand sculpt figures from clay and from there use them to make molds for my organic soy wax candles. The figure that inspired this piece was from a woman I came across on IG named Marissa Kimmel who had to undergo a double mastectomy due to cancer. Because of this life saving surgery, she couldn’t breastfeed her son any longer. When I read further into her story I completely broke down and wanted to make her a hand wrapped crystal pendant which I also sold through my shop. When I ventured into sculpting, it was very obvious I needed to make a mastectomy piece to represent all forms of beauty.

All forms of beauty and respect of the human body have been factors for me through makeup and modeling that have greatly inspired my work. I now have 4 figure candles in my shop and planning to add more. The response has been overwhelming at times at how real depictions of the human body are needed when “social media standards” heavily influence art today.

Coming from San Francisco and moving to Los Angeles, I modeled there for 4yrs before I had my daughter. I can honestly say I have never been as infatuated or inspired by another person as her. I knew I wanted better for her both from myself and from our surroundings. I’ve learned personally that a city is great for opportunities but a place so saturated can heavily influence an artist in a way that makes them loose touch with there true source of inspiration. We, ourselves are our greatest asset for creativity. I feel that’s why children are so inspiring because they are untouched by the worries of what others think. They are pure emotion.. very big emotions sometimes.. but feel in an unfiltered way.

We currently live in the east coast with much more open space and coexist with nature more than concrete. Living within a smaller population has brought the need in me for more of an art community. What better way to find that than to create that. Thus, Freedom Palette was born..

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I was a makeup artist I explored body paint. Ultimately though, painting was always put on the back burner as I subconsciously felt it wasn’t a “real career”. Through other forms of art I worked in, genuinely connecting with people brought me more opportunities.

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is connecting with people, connecting with myself and being that source for others to connect.

I created Freedom Palette, step-by-step or open canvas paint classes to build more of an art community and connect people who either put painting on the back burner of their lives or those who are also needing an art community. Those who maybe aren’t called to start one but be apart of it.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I have no strategy or step by step advice to give. I found that the most interaction and followers I’ve received was when I was being true to my art and genuine within my interactions.

You are your brand. Art made by you in any form is a piece of your soul. Being authentic and finding inspiration within you on a deeper level will naturally translate. I don’t know about you, but I see a shift and authenticity within social media is making a come back.

Within and instant gratification culture, people get sick if they can’t sustain that feeling. Truly feeling what it is you’re creating will be very valuable to your audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.FreedomPalette.com
• Instagram: Mother_of_muse
• Facebook: Lover.and.muse
• Other: Etsy.com/shop/loverandmuse TikTok: Lover.and.Muse