We were lucky to catch up with Choni Ribeiro recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Choni, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always had a deep love for art, influenced by both my mother and aunt. Though neither of them pursued it as a career, their passion for creativity always resonated with me. I never thought I would follow that path either. My academic journey took me in a different direction—mechanical engineering—where I earned a master’s degree. Throughout school, I used to draw in class frequently, but when freshman year of college became more demanding, I stopped doing so.

It wasn’t until later when I did an exchange program in Santiago de Chile, that I started drawing again. After that, during another exchange in Lisbon, I began painting. Around that time, a friend encouraged me to share my work publicly. I took the leap and created an Instagram account, unsure of where it would lead, but it marked the beginning of something new. From there, my art journey grew more serious. I’ve participated in exhibitions, created more meaningful pieces, built connections with people in the art world, and eventually moved to LA.

The true moment of realization came not too long ago. During a studio visit with someone who’s known me since childhood, they observed how my eyes lit up when I talked about my art. They said, “You can tell this is your passion.” That moment was a turning point. Up until then, I was so immersed in creating that I hadn’t taken a step back to realize just how deeply I wanted to pursue this.

Now, I’m preparing to start formal arts education with an MFA at UCLA next year. It’s part of my commitment to growing and evolving as an artist and a person. I have a lot of plans and dreams in my head, I’m excited to pursue them.

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?

I’m a visual artist, with a background in mechanical engineering. It was actually during university exchange programs in Santiago de Chile and Lisbon that I reconnected with my love for art, eventually turning it into a more serious pursuit. I started sharing my work on Instagram, and since then I’ve continued to evolve, I’ve participated in exhibitions, connected with other artists, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to dive deeper into my practice.

I primarily work with acrylic on canvas but also enjoy exploring other mediums like drawing and painting on maple wood decks—this is heavily inspired by my passion for skateboarding and the culture around it. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with new mediums like sculpture, and I’m excited to bring those ideas to life—so definitely stay tuned for what’s coming next.

What sets me apart is that my art reflects a journey of pursuing dreams and goals. I’m proud of the path I’m on and the progress I’ve made, and my work expresses the motions, struggles, and achievements that come with following one’s passion. In many ways, my art has become a mirror of the very process I’m living—constantly growing, evolving, and making sense as I go further.

I aim to create art that resonates with people on a personal level. My work often explores abstract forms, lines, and colors to express the intangible aspects of life—like dreams and goals. I want my art to be a reminder that life is a journey, and our passions are what guide us through it.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

What my goal and mission are is something that I have always found hard to put into words, but at its core, it’s about evolving—both as an artist and as a person—and telling the story of that growth through my art. I want to inspire others to do the same, to give them a sense of hope or guidance when they see my work. Whether it’s a reminder to push through tough times or encouragement to chase after their own dreams, I hope my paintings resonate with people in meaningful ways.

It feels ambitious, but I want my work to inspire both myself and others to keep pursuing progress, to find joy in that journey, and to reflect on life and time. My art is about experiencing life and all its adventures, and if my paintings can evoke that sense of purpose or drive in someone else, then I feel I’m fulfilling my mission.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think one of the hardest things for non-creatives to grasp is that there’s so much more to being an artist than simply making the artwork. While painting itself is central, there’s a whole range of activities that feed into that process. External sources of inspiration are key for example—whether it’s visiting museums, exhibitions, or meeting new people who spark fresh ideas. Then there’s also internal inspiration, which may involve reflecting on life, maturing thoughts, listening to music, or reading. Something to stimulate creativity from the inside.

On top of that, you need to put yourself in the right mental space to let ideas flow freely. It’s not just about sitting down and creating—it’s about priming yourself to be open to ideas and being able to capture them when they come. This constant state of readiness is something many don’t realize, but it’s essential for translating inspiration into something tangible, whether it’s a painting or a new project.

And beyond creating, there’s the work of distributing and showcasing the art—how you present it to the world is just as important. People often overlook that side of the artistic journey. It’s not just about the studio work, it’s about everything that surrounds it. I don’t think people always see the full scope of what goes into being a creative, especially how much energy goes into being ready for inspiration to strike at any moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.choniribeiro.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choni_ribeiro/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChoniRibeiro
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/11132566614

Image Credits

Rui Murka Photography