We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Miyuki recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Absolutely, I love being an artist and creative. The fulfillment and joy I get from my work far surpass any experience I had in a regular job. I’ve ventured into the conventional job world before, and while it taught me valuable lessons, it wasn’t where I felt truly alive and inspired.

The worst days as a creative are still better than my best days in traditional roles. There’s a unique satisfaction in pursuing something you’re passionate about. It’s not always easy, but the challenges are part of the journey, and overcoming them is incredibly rewarding.

For those considering a leap into a creative career, I’d say trust your gut. If you feel unsatisfied and unfulfilled, it’s a gift to recognize that and take action. Waiting only diminishes the time and energy you could invest in a career and lifestyle you love. Take that leap of faith, and you might just discover a world of possibilities you never knew existed.

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

I’m Jessica Miyuki, a bicultural creative born and raised in Japan, then moving to USA at age 7. My journey into the creative realm took an unconventional route. Despite early discouragement from pursuing art (studying kinesiology in college and a short career in civil engineering after), I found my passion during an internship at Billabong, creating textile designs that reached global audiences. It was surreal to see my artwork being worn by professional surfers I looked up to, in surf magazines, and displayed in surf shops all over the world. I even still get to wear my own designs!

My artistic journey extended to major brands like PacSun, Hurley, Reef, and Roxy, where I designed their textiles as well as graphics for apparel. However, the corporate structure limited my creativity, prompting me to launch Salt Atlas, a travel bag company. I designed the bags, managed production, created email campaigns, and ran the entire company on my own, which was an incredible but demanding experience. Due to pandemic challenges, I had to pivot to creating personalized posters, but this venture beautifully combines travel and sentimental value, and the joy I can bring my customers is something that will never grow old.

Freelance design remains a constant, with my creations featured at Greenroom Gallery in Hawaii and Japan, and through a design agency in Japan I get to have my artwork and logo featured on a variety of products, like totes, pouches, towels, cellphone cases, even a limited edition surfboard and skateboard set. I was even showcased on Shibuya Crossing’s jumbo screen—an incredible and unforgettable highlight.

My artistic inspirations blossom from globetrotting adventures, often funded through content creation. Modeling, another facet of my background, blends seamlessly with my content creation, featuring diverse brands in picturesque locations.

My diverse “career” include Salt Atlas’s personalized posters, freelancing, art sales, and content creation on Instagram and YouTube. I take pride in weaving travel and art into a tapestry of jobs that continually inspire my creativity.

In essence, I thrive at the intersection of art, travel, and entrepreneurship. Discover more about my adventures on my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaMiyukiArt), explore my artistic universe at JessicaMiyuki.com, and join my creative journey on social media (https://www.instagram.com/jessicamiyuki/). Lastly, If you’re looking for a meaningful ocean related gift, check out my company www.saltatls.co Looking forward to sharing more stories, art, and inspirations with you!

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots in my journey was transforming my travel bag business, Salt Atlas, into a personalized poster venture. Rooted in my passion for travel, I initially sought to make the world more accessible by designing beautiful, functional bags that celebrated the essence of exploration. The initial success of the first year was promising.

However, the winds of change blew in during the second year. I encountered production challenges, and then the global pandemic, COVID-19, abruptly halted travel. It was a paradox – promoting travel benefits while the world was on pause.

In the face of these challenges, inspiration struck. Recognizing that people still held dear their cherished travel memories, even in a time of restricted movement, I came up with the personalized poster business. Customers could now immortalize their special moments—birthdays, weddings, or significant trips—by inputting the date and location. I delved into tide, weather, and moon phase data to craft a unique, personalized poster commemorating that unforgettable day.

This pivot allowed me to connect people with their fondest memories, offering them a tangible piece of their past. The joy and heartwarming responses from customers affirmed that even during challenging times, meaningful connections and cherished moments could be celebrated. Every day, I have the privilege of turning someone’s favorite memory into a tangible, heartfelt piece of art, and that brings me immense joy.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to bring something into existence from nothingness. The art I craft didn’t exist until I translated my thoughts onto paper, and that’s a remarkably unique and fulfilling experience. I relish the freedom of expressing myself through a medium that transcends language barriers, reaching a broader audience beyond linguistic confines. The process of transforming a client’s ideas into a tangible, visual reality is undeniably fulfilling, even in the face of challenges. It’s a journey of turning concepts into captivating visuals, and that, to me, is the true essence of creative satisfaction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jessicamiyuki.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicamiyuki/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaMiyukiArt
• Other: https://www.saltatlas.co/