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

Ramona, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am happy as an artist, I am the boss of me and that makes me very happy. The stress level is not as high. When I work for someone I feel like a prisoner and I’m anxious. I get offers to do random events or art projects and having a regular job gets in the way of that. Its hard working for yourself but its more rewarding and the freedom is priceless. Every day is a struggle but things work out and staying positive helps.
Ive had a regular job and it was fantastic but as I got older I realized that I needed to be free. My regular job wanted to keep me doing the same old job I had done for 8 years and I wanted to evolve so I had to make changes for myself and my happiness. I left and yes it has been tough but now I figured it out and know how to budget and I have no regrets.

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.

I was always interested in the arts. I got my first real job when I was 24 at Cinesite as a digital artist. I knew this woman who was a supervisor and she said to email her to get me an interview , so I did and the company arranged an interview. I got the job and then I went on to work as a VFX artist on many films for the next 8 years. Best thing that ever happened to me. I didn’t finish my art degree but working with all these creatives I feel like I got so much more training then I would have at the university. After my 8 years as a VFX artist I decided to take a break and I went on to pursue a hair stylist career. I got my license in a year and started working on Photo shoots and salons etc etc. I wanted to get out of the office and move instead of sit 12 hours a day in front of a computer. This job also got me out of my shell. Being a vfx artist I had lost or never had great social skills so the hair dressing career helped me bloom and communicate better with everyone. What sets me apart from all the other hairstylists is that I am a visual artist and worked with talented people for so many years. I have a great eye for detail and being in the film industry is very intense and very detail oriented. I love music and hair and expressing oneself as an art kid my whole life I always had cool haircuts. Hair is just another extension of my art. I work as a stylist, a painter, a digital artist and anything creative. It was hard to get here but I finally feel secure in my work and I always take a class to further my skills. You have to keep learning and evolving.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Sometimes life throws you curve balls. For example, this year was the hardest year I have ever experienced. I had my whole year sorta planned but it all crumbled like a buttery croissant. I got a freelance gig on a film and that fell through. After that My mom became ill and I had to be her care taker while trying to keep my business going. My mom is now gone forever and I have no regrets. I was happy to take care of her and spend the time I had left with her. She showed me her last months how brave and strong this little woman was and now that she’s gone I feel this inner strength that she gives me. Seeing her suffer made me realize how life is so fragile and doing what you love is more important than being stressed and hating life. I am not rich but everyday I feel blessed and I know my mom is looking out for me. Things are already getting moving and I think its her moving mountains for me. I talk to her everyday. I stay positive and busy and do research and I keep learning new tricks and try to keep up with technology but I also enjoy my hikes and my guitar. Staying balanced is very important for me and for my success.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Ive never had much luck working for someone as I got older. I am a misunderstood Artist that is multitalented. I don’t have just one skill. I have many and I love doing them all. Its how I am with musical instruments, I play guitar but I also play drums and piano and I learned trumpet during the pandemic. Its hard to box an artist into one thing. Artist are naturally experimental and love to learn and reinvent themselves. Society should embrace the individual and not try to box us into one role. Opportunities come up when you are multi talented, I like to take the opportunities that are thrown at me. Makes life exciting and never boring. Having more then one skill has been a blessing, kinda like being trilingual as well. One of my adventures was teaching English in Barcelona, I got the job because I speak both English and Spanish. This is how I role in life. The more you know the better and more opportunities come your way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://monapelissierartstudio.weebly.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mona1/