Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rianne Elyse Magbuhat. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rianne Elyse , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
In high school, my Dad helped me print scans of my paintings onto label paper, and I’d sell 2 stickers for $1. I then expanded on that idea and did one of one abstract stickers with my peers preferred colors. While not a lucrative business, I got to see in real time peoples reactions to my work, and found a lot of excitement watching them put stickers on their water bottles and laptops.
The first art show I ever organized was in my parents garage in the summer of 2018. I hung white bedsheets to cover the walls of their garage. My neighbors, who I’ve known my whole life, bought a framed watercolor of the sunset I did for $15. That seemed like a lot of money for Art- I had no experience on how to price my work or time, all my originals were priced under $40. I’m grateful to have such a supportive base of friends and family who have encouraged me to fight my imposter syndrome and put my work out there.
Rianne Elyse , 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?
My name is Rianne Elyse Magbuhat, I am a Filipino-American artist residing on Kumeyaay land (San Diego, California). I graduated from San Diego State University with a B.F.A in Painting and Printmaking in Spring 2022 and am currently working at the Standard Tattoo Parlor.
Primarily painting with acrylics for my personal work/ commissions and oil for academic, I began to blend the two together in recent years in search for my “style.” I have always loved drawing and learning about color theory and pursuing an art career in college only seemed possible through vending work at markets, painting commissions and murals. I quickly learned that though that may work for some people, I was still not feeling fulfilled in my work life balance.
The fall of 2018 I began appreciating with Stephanie Henry under her business Pawcasso Paint Your Pet, where I assisted attendees of her events with color mixing, finishing touches and any other guidance new painters may need. December 2019 I completed my first mural in Pacific Beach at Powerhaus Pizza. I assisted the Eastside Collective with a commercial project in Costa Mesa at South Coast Plaza for Le Shrimp Ramen and Mindful Murals at a Poway elementary school in 2021. I have produced various pieces in private residences in Pacific Beach and Chula Vista. Painting will always have such a large place in my life and in my heart, but after college I felt drawn to explore another interest- agriculture.
I began working with Mindful Mushrooms the summer of 2022 after I graduated. I learned how to harvest mushrooms, mix substrate, sterilize and inoculate grain and sell products at various local markets. This job has inspired me not only visually but through the market community I was introduced to. I am not a stranger to art markets, but being able to exist in both the artistic and agricultural sides of markets led me to find more similarities than differences in terms of community. Through market connections to other local farms, I began to expand my ideas of collage and assemblage, integrating other farmer’s products like dried flowers and chilies into my paintings. I am constantly in awe of how creativity exists in everything and I am grateful to be in spaces where I feel valued.
During Covid I reviewed my first tattoo machine as a gift. Since I was young, I’ve always loved looking at tattoos and of course when I was 18, started getting work myself. I became enamored with the world of tattooing and pursued an apprenticeship under Big Checho (Sergio Perez). I began working at the Standard Tattoo Parlor last May and enjoy how everyday will always be interesting and different. I am able to make pieces that maintain my artistic integrity and combine many of my interests, centering mushrooms, skateboarding, bones and animals; as well as providing a service, working in collaboration with clients to make their ideas come to life.
I am excited for the future- I feel like I’ve been growing towards something and I feel like tattooing is where I’m supposed to be. I hope to tattoo as long as I can.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the never ending options if you don’t box yourself in. For a good amount of time I only really identified as a painter, I didn’t see myself as anything else. Putting all the gate keeping aside of what makes a “real artist” I truly believe everyone should explore everything and anything. Any medium that interests you, make friends with people that share your interests or don’t, get new perspectives so work isn’t flat, physically and conceptually. I feel like I’m constantly inspired and encouraged to try new art forms by those around me. Releasing the pressure of not having to be good at everything and enjoying processes can lead to deeper ideas and expansion on artistic concepts. Finding community within communities is a beautiful thing, and without making those connections I don’t feel as if I’d would have had half the opportunities. Being able to represent a certain region or even have a voice in local art communities is something I would have never thought I would play a role in. It still amazes me that I am able to have symbiotic relationships between life passions and work. In the last year I was able to support myself through tattooing which has meant the world to me.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Ultimately I want to be a Jack of all trades and master of some, become completely self sufficient through my craft, and travel new places through tattooing. Being a collector of sentimental objects and nostalgia my whole life, I would like to commemorate what’s meaningful and impactful to me and expand on ways to connect multiple interests- Growing up I played piano and did traditional Philippine folk dance with PASACAT and for years I didn’t know how to blend the passion I felt in performance arts with visual arts. Some of my professors really impacted the way I handle mediums, letting the process and materials inform my work rather than an end goal or image in mind. The ever changing thought process as well as developing a closer connection to my influences, my heritage, the communities I associate with and the constant inspiration from friends keep me hungry and hunting for the next… being creative has helped me reconnect with myself from all angles, revisit trauma and heal through open expression. I’ve been meandering along and trying to take opportunities that align with where I am in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/riaptor
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rianne-elyse-magbuhat-1ab210166