We were lucky to catch up with L.”Von” Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi L.”Von”, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally when I was in middle school, where I began singing in the choir, writing songs and short stories. I started to believe that I could pursue a creative/artistic path in writing, after I received a scholarship for writing an essay explaining what education meant to me. It was in college that I got serious in my pursuit of writing. I entered into several contests through The Writer’s Guild of America, of which I I didn’t win, but they acknowledged me and made me feel as if I could be a writer.

L.”Von”, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a creative artist and entrepreneur. My creative production company is called L.A.L. Artistry, under which I write screenplays and teleplays. I am also the owner of The Lotus Doll Shop Boutique, currently with items being sold on Poshmark. I am also the content creator of the LDS BalancedLifeStyle channel on YouTube. I am also an affiliate marketer for several brands.

With my production company, L.A.L. Artistry, I like to create tv/film projects from a Black American perspective. So many of our stories are told (even by us) through what we’d like things to be. But I like to tell the story of what actually is, so that change can be brought about in our communities. I aim to tell “real” stories, as a member of the black majority that deals with the issues of being black in America everyday.

My boutique, The Lotus Doll Shop Boutique was created for women who are looking for classic – trendy pieces that can be added to any wardrobe effortlessly. I like to think about the average woman, with an average budget, who doesn’t want to feel guilty for buying herself a little something new, that’s not too expensive and of great quality and style.

I started the LDS Balanced Life Style channel on YouTube, because there is this idea that has been spreading socially that our lifestyle has to be a certain way in order to be considered posh. I want to encourage ladies to create beautiful homes, a great wardrobe, and to look and feel good according to their own ideologies and style.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is to encourage creative individuality. I have noticed that people tend to gravitate to mainstream ideas whether it be music, movies, tv, fashion, etc. As an artist, I don’t consider that true creativity. It’s said that there is nothing new under the sun, but I beg to differ. Artists are those who truly create from their perspective and aren’t just doing things to fit in to what they think others will want. I believe real creativity comes from taking from our individual experiences and putting that into our art. I believe, we were sent here as individuals with our own vision and feelings, our unique perspectives are supposed to make life interesting, As artists, what we share with the world should open other peoples minds and bring about empathy.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to create something that is unique to me. My creativity allows me an escape. I create a world that I can invite others into, to escape to also. It makes me feel good when someone, gets it! LOl!!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lvonluvnlife
• Youtube: LDS BalancedLifeStyle channel and L.A.L. Artistry
• Other: TikTok @lvonluvnlife

Image Credits
IG @chico330 – image 183424