We recently connected with Syn Devereaux and have shared our conversation below.

Syn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

As a full, hot-blooded Sagittarius, risk is my love language. I tell myself, ‘YOLO—do it for the plot!’ and dive headfirst into the unknown. Some might call it impulsive (or, you know, a touch of mental illness), but I swear, it keeps life interesting. Trust me. I’ve taken my fair share of leaps, both big and small, but my wildest one yet? Leaving California’s laid-back central coast for the nonstop pulse of New York. Even now, I can hardly believe I actually pulled it off. HA!

I’m a West Coast kid through and through—born in Utah, raised in Nevada since age four, then California from twenty-two onward. But I’ve been utterly obsessed with New York City for as long as I can remember. It’s been a lifelong love affair of daydreams and imagining myself as a Big Apple girl. And even though I’m technically in Jersey (hey, close enough!), I can feel those city vibes settling into my marrow. My bones know I’m home. Finally.

In high school, I was convinced NYU was my destiny. I pictured myself living my best Jenna Rink and Andie Anderson life, diving headfirst into journalism and city lights. I was a yearbook fanatic, and it was my absolute passion—something I took very seriously. Studying journalism at NYU and breaking into magazines felt like a no-brainer. But life had other plans, and I ended up moving upstate to Reno for school, not quite ready for Big Apple Dreams. But those dreams? They never went anywhere.

Then, about a year and a half ago, my life went full demolition mode. Like, really bad. I wanted to make the leap to NYC last summer, but the timing just wasn’t right. Fast-forward through some intense growth and life lessons, and finally, this summer, a window of opportunity opened. Did I have the details lined up? Not a single one. I was moving on a wish, a prayer, and a gut feeling. Did I know where I’d live or what to do with my cats? Absolutely not. But with a one-way ticket and enough blind faith to fill a subway car, I took the jump.

Now, here I am, nearly three months in. My cats are living it up at their little ‘Summer Camp,’ while I’m here in Jersey—things haven’t gone exactly as planned but I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world— I’m doing the things I’d only dreamed of: creating art, writing, exploring my spirituality, and, for the first time in ages, falling deeply, wildly in love with myself again. I’m here, and I’m thriving.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My entire life, I’ve been a creative at heart. From as early as I can remember, I’ve always had something in my hands—whether it was a pen, pencil, or crayon, I was constantly coloring, doodling, making little masterpieces wherever I could. Every Christmas, without fail, my family would gift me one of those fold-up art kits packed with colored pencils, markers, crayons, pastels—you name it. They nurtured my creativity from day one, and it became a core part of who I am. I truly don’t know who I am without my creativity.

By age four or five, I was already filling pages with color, and as I grew older, my creative outlets evolved. I picked up painting in college thanks to a roommate who showed me it didn’t have to be this big, intimidating task. In high school, I dove into digital art through a graphic arts class. Each phase taught me something new, and as I moved into my 30s, I began to hone my craft in more personal ways.

These days, I blend my love for art with my passion for spirituality by using tarot and oracle cards as inspiration for custom designs. I adore creating unique, deeply personal pieces for people—whether it’s a tattoo design, a visual talisman for an altar, or just a piece of art that resonates with them. Lately, I’ve also started incorporating spiritual elements, like rituals and oracle decks, into my larger abstract paintings on canvas. It’s liberating to step out of my comfort zone and let my creativity flow without feeling the need to color inside the lines.

Art and spirituality are the two things that make me who I am. Practicing tarot and creating art allow me to express my most authentic self and truly thrive. It’s a journey I’m grateful for, and it feels like I’m continually discovering new layers of creativity within.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist, I’ve found that creativity has shaped me into a deeply emotional and sensitive person—someone who feels in tune with the world on a profound level. I feel everything intensely, romanticizing even the smallest moments. Watching orange leaves drift down onto the road as I drive can leave me misty-eyed, swept up in the beauty of something so simple yet so magical. It’s as if every little detail holds its own story, and I’m there to witness it.

Even on the days when feeling deeply can be overwhelming, I’m grateful for the gift of sensitivity. It’s as though my heart has a front-row seat to life, experiencing things fully and vividly. What’s the point of living if we don’t allow ourselves to feel to the depths our souls are meant for? Those small, intricate details—the warmth of a sunrise, the sound of laughter echoing down a hallway, even the quiet moments of solitude—each one fuels me and reminds me how precious life is. I find purpose and meaning in these details; they’re what drive me, what keep my creative fire burning brightly.

The truth is, this heightened sensitivity is both a joy and a responsibility. It pushes me to capture and honor the beauty in the mundane, to give voice to things that might go unnoticed. Writing this, I can’t help but feel emotional because this is my life’s essence—it’s what propels me forward, guiding each brushstroke, each word, and each heartbeat.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

OOF. Where to begin?! Nearly 32 years on this planet, and if there’s one skill I’ve mastered, it’s pivoting. Latest example? My cross-country move to the East Coast, which definitely did not go according to plan. I’d arranged to stay with a friend in Bushwick—a plan I thought was set in stone and honestly, the only solid thing grounding my move. It gave me the confidence to leap. One less thing to stress about! So, I flew into Newark, booked an Airbnb nearby to avoid lugging my bags all over NYC, and took a breather to get my bearings. But on the very morning I was set to head to Brooklyn, she hits me with a text: ‘Don’t come.’ And then—she ghosted me.

Picture me, stranded in Newark with no backup plan. I won’t lie, I cried on the train. But, after the initial panic? I pulled myself together and pivoted. I found a hostel on the Upper West Side, bunked with some incredible people, and we had an absolute blast running around Manhattan together. It wasn’t what I’d planned, but it was so much more fun than I could’ve hoped.

Just as my hostel stay was about to end—and with my funds running dangerously low—I got the kind of message you can only call a miracle. A friend of 11 years, someone I’d originally met through our One Direction fan days (RIP, Liam) and always hung out with whenever I visited New York, reached out. She lives down the Shore in South Jersey and said she and her family were so proud of me for making the leap. She offered her place if I wanted a few days by the beach to regroup. With every other option falling through, I took her up on it. I messaged her the night before checkout to ask if tomorrow was too soon, and she said, ‘Not at all.’

Now, nearly three months later, I’m still here. What I thought would be a few days turned into something so much more. Her family, friends, and even her sister have welcomed me with open arms, giving me a sense of support, love, and belonging that I never saw coming. They’ve given me the grounding I needed as I sort out my next steps—career, life, everything. I really believe this was meant to be all along, an unexpected yet perfect twist in my journey. It’s something I desperately try not to take for granted and wouldn’t trade for the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://latelierdevereaux.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/syndevereaux
• Other: https://syndie.substack.com/

Image Credits

All images are mine!