Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Iies.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Iies., thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

How did I learn how to do what I do?

Well, my hunger to learn started exactly how every other passionate child consumes information, from curiosity. Whether it be art or music related, I had to know about it all: the history, who made the greatest impact, how to get to the next level, the worst of the culture, the drama, etc. I grew an unquenchable thirst to know! New ways to create or learn became kindle for my constantly burning interest of passionate topics. It is safe to say that my journey has been nothing but a map for my creative explorations. In 2015 I began attending the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design to soon graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 2D-Animation; College grew my artistic skills immensely, and taught me a-lot about the industry. Through the years into adulthood I became completely indulged in expanding everything I already knew which formed sub interest such as: videography, photography, animation, painting, producing, and graphic design. Respectfully, all of these skills became tools inside of my shed of ways to express; when I would want someone else to create something for me, such as cover art, mixing & mastering, or music videos, I would see how they didn’t put as much effort into my visions as they would there own, which always produced an unpleasant result. It would seem that the one who could pull the intangible down to the physical realm had to be myself. I am so thank that I have had the opportunities to learn as much as I have. Talent is now what is associated with my name and I am only here thanks to diligently learning, I have to do it all and live it all.

Knowing what I know now, what I could have done to speed up my learning process is seek out those who were willing to share their knowledge. I did a lot of learning of my crafts by my lonely, for what? I don’t quite know, some sort of “have to do it by myself” mentally that developed in my early years. This mantra made me stubborn, and unwilling to seek help when I needed it. Thankfully I had youtube, and some cool friends who showed me new ways to create and get to the destination I strived towards. When I reflect on my journey, if I had found help or a personal mentor in a master class It would have helped me so much.

Some skills I feel most essential were learning how to mix and master, figure draw, and find a flow state.
Some obstacles that stood in my way of learning more has been, Lack of funds, Stress and depression..

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

To whom may be interested in knowing more about iies. I found my way into the personal business by a vision, iies. pronounced “eyes” is a metaphor for having many perspectives for which I want to express through art and music. My products include art apparel, music, paintings, art prints, live performances, animations, and illustrations.

What sets me apart from the rest is how much I bring as a creative soul. Not only do I now produce my own music, I also write, mix and master, create graphics, paint, run a website, and sale art locally. My mesh of creations is what makes me unique and incomparable my experience is its own and a must see! What also sets me apart form the rest is that I offer services such as commissions, Graphic design, Animations, Music production, audio engineering, and illustrations. I am most proud of how far i have been able to grow and know. The fact that I am able to bring my visions to life is a feeling worth rejoicing.

It has been a very hard path, and I wasn’t always talented, so to have the backing and support of my friends, family, and fans coupled with my confidence to create is a true miracle and I am thankful everyday. I want potential clients/followers to know that I am just like them, and that iies. is the holder of many perspectives, meaning I eventually want to expand this entity to be a platform for others to showcased their work. Similar to the idea of a creative label, if you will.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is simply being able to express, in my opinion. To be able to channel ones memories or moments across the spectrum of extreme sorrows to complete elation, through a medium is truly powerful. To have grown in my years developing the tools necessary to pull intangible concepts out of the ether of my mind’s eye then transfer stories into a form to be digested from the masses, ultimately calling it “Art”. The feeling of this action is literally godly/otherworldly; to express is too ease the soul. For me creating is therapy and beautifully enough for others my creations can become therapeutic to their souls as well as they embrace my story and relate creating an infinite cycle of love. To give and receive.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes! most recently I change by brand from CraigThe2nd into iies. I had to pivot due to where CraigThe2nd was going, which was very negative; I began to hang with the wrong crowds, I started to make music that was not how I wanted it to be, I overall was self sabotaging my career in the long run. So for my business I felt like I was due for a rebirth! I change my logo, connects, sound of music, style of art, and almost the whole way I perceived my life. This moment was very spiritual, I cut my dreads off that I had for 7 and a half years. I did a lot of shadow work batting the traumas from my past by doing therapy. I rented my first apartment after being homeless since I was a junior in high school. I transformed. It was a leap of faith that I encourage every one to do, not saying change your brand, but to take a chance that you feel could benefit your spirit regardless of how successful you are becoming. To look past fear. I did not know how this change would hurt the career I built previously, I was CraigThe2nd for over 6 years; I felt the need to reestablish and really create a path that is most align to my true desires as a human being and through iies.co LLC I will accomplish my goal to change the world! Gratefully enough, ever since I change my brand I have met more life goals in my industry than I ever had a chance of as CraigThe2nd!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iies.co/#/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iies.co/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgNvGWsxBn1kOJn52zCb_Q
• Other: Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/2TE6xKjrxB1AKH5KDYA6St?si=ktHqMnVkSHSzL3EM2kBZdw Itunes- https://music.apple.com/us/artist/iies/1263738675

Image Credits
Cat Evans, Roxanna, and Nina Stewart