We recently connected with Lee Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Lee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my creative work into my full-time career. It definitely didn’t happen overnight, though. It’s been a mix of patience, perseverance, and aligning myself with the right opportunities at the right time.
I started off by focusing on perfecting my craft and gradually building a reputation. I wasn’t always sure how everything would come together, but I stayed consistent and didn’t hesitate to invest in myself — whether it was in learning new skills, expanding my network, or creating high-quality work that really spoke to people.
One of the major milestones was starting my agency, unmatte™. That gave me the platform to scale my creativity and work with bigger clients, which in turn helped me level up my personal brand, SAINTVI. Now, I have the privilege of leading a team, collaborating on international projects, and creating work that I’m really proud of.
Looking back, I think I could have accelerated the process if I’d been more focused on smart partnerships and collaborations earlier on. There’s a lot of power in aligning with the right people, and that could have helped me get to where I am today a bit faster. But overall, every step has been worth it, and I’m always excited for what’s next. The journey’s still going, but it’s been incredibly rewarding so far.
Lee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hey, I’m Lee, the creative force behind SAINTVI and the founder of unmatte™, a full-service creative agency. I’ve been in the game long enough to see how much the industry has shifted, but one thing that’s always stayed the same for me is my passion for creativity. Whether it’s through art, design, branding, or strategy, I’ve always been drawn to bringing ideas to life in new and exciting ways.
My passion for art goes beyond just creating something visually appealing — it’s about how art can shift cultures and truly have an impact on society. Art has this incredible power to spark change, to challenge norms, and to influence the way people think and feel. That’s why I’m so dedicated to using my work to create experiences that do just that — shift perspectives and ignite conversations. It’s this cultural impact that fuels my work and makes it feel more purposeful.
I got my start just like anyone — diving into my craft, experimenting, and figuring out what felt right. Over the years, I realized that I wasn’t just interested in creating art for art’s sake, but also in using it as a tool to build powerful brands and tell stories that really connect with people. That’s how unmatte™ was born. It’s where strategy meets creativity — a place where I get to work with incredible clients to craft visual identities, marketing strategies, digital experiences, and even larger-than-life campaigns that inspire.
Through SAINTVI, I’ve had the chance to express my own creative vision as an artist, blending my love for design with the raw energy of storytelling. Whether it’s through bold graphic design, motion art, or immersive experiences, I always aim to create something that makes people stop and think.
At unmatte™, we specialize in a wide range of services, from branding and web design to digital marketing and advertising. We work with clients who want to stand out, and we help them build brands that are as unique as their vision. What I do — and what I’ve built — is all about creating spaces where brands can grow, evolve, and make an impact, whether through a standout logo, a game-changing marketing strategy, or a full-on digital transformation. I don’t just solve problems; I create solutions that are both visually stunning and strategically sound.
What sets me apart? Honestly, it’s a mix of creativity, passion, and a bit of that fire to do things differently. I don’t follow trends; I create them. And I’m always looking for new ways to innovate and push boundaries. I believe in collaboration, working closely with my clients, and always focusing on the bigger picture — helping them build something that not only looks good but works hard for them.
What am I most proud of? The relationships I’ve built along the way. From clients to collaborators, it’s those connections that fuel my journey. Every project is a chance to leave my mark, but it’s the impact I’ve had on people’s businesses and the lasting relationships I’ve formed that I’m most proud of.
If you’re looking for someone who’s not afraid to push the envelope, someone who’s deeply committed to making your brand shine, and someone who’ll bring their full creative energy to every project, then unmatte™ and SAINTVI are where you want to be. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that I’m not just about making things look good — I’m about making them work and resonate. There’s a lot of heart behind everything I do, and I’m here to make sure your vision is heard, seen, and felt.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The best lesson I’ve learned is that failure and striving for perfection need to completely reverse their perspectives. I used to think that failure was something to avoid at all costs and that perfection was the ultimate goal. But over time, I’ve come to realize that failure is actually an essential part of the process — it’s what challenges you to push beyond your limits and brings out the best in you. It forces you to try new approaches, learn from mistakes, and grow in ways that you wouldn’t if everything went smoothly.
As for perfection, I’ve learned that it doesn’t exist, at least not in the human experience. We’re emotional, we’re imperfect, and that’s exactly what makes our work meaningful. If everything were perfect, it would lose the raw energy and authenticity that comes from being human. Art, and life in general, is about embracing those imperfections and finding beauty in them.
This shift in mindset has had a huge impact on my artistry and creative career. Instead of being paralyzed by the fear of failure or obsessing over perfection, I now focus on progress, learning, and letting my creativity flow freely. I’ve realized that the moments of failure are just stepping stones toward something greater, and the so-called imperfections make my work uniquely mine.
It’s been a liberating and empowering lesson, and one that I carry with me in everything I do. It’s a reminder that growth comes from challenges, and that real creativity often thrives in the spaces where things don’t go as planned.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments of my journey came in 2015 when I beat cancer. It’s a part of my story that I don’t often share, but it’s shaped me in ways that go far beyond just physical recovery. When I was first diagnosed, it felt like my whole world was thrown upside down. The amount of anxiety and uncertainty that came with the diagnosis could’ve easily shattered me. It’s one of those moments where you question everything — your purpose, your future, and your very identity.
But what I learned through that time is that resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about how you come back. I could have let the fear and the setbacks consume me, but instead, I chose to use that experience as fuel. I came back from that battle raw, but more empowered and creative than ever. I began to see the world differently — clearer, more deeply — and my art, my work, and my creativity became an outlet for processing everything I had gone through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saintvi.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lesaintvi
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/leannevi
- Twitter: https://x.com/lesaintvi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUST9zdufaw66-wHs389ZFw
- Other: https://unmatte.com
