We recently connected with Thelma Ruiz and have shared our conversation below.
Thelma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I think I have always had the artistic gene in me. Ever since I learned about career choices I knew I was meant to dedicate my life to something creative and artistic. My path has changed a lot because I like a ton of things. I first wanted to be an actress when I was in middle school, then, in high school, I wanted to be a fashion designer and finally, I decided I wanted to make films. Little did I know, I would end up doing all these things throughout my life.
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?
I am a creative director and fashion designer. I have worked in the film industry for over 6 years as a production designer and creative director and I created and designed my own clothing brand named Pema. I have always loved the idea of creating new worlds and concepts and I think I found the best two industries to do that: film and fashion. I love how through creative spaces, it is possible to try out a lot of different disciplines because in the end, they are all connected in one way or another. I am really proud of the work I’ve done in film production design, especially short films such as Claun and Cassette Sandía, both directed by Luis Gerardo LoGar. I also directed my own short film, Punk Talk, produced by Mon Castro, which has made appearances in California, with Cinequest Film Festival and San Diego Latino Film Festival and London, with London Short Film Festival. As for my own brand, Pema, it has been a long and exciting process, and I am really happy to be releasing everything me and my team have created in early December.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is to be able to connect with people through your creations. Wether it is through a film or through a fashion show or a piece of clothing, being able to tell stories that resonate with other people is really emotive. I also love the fact that through production design in films, you can also transport people to a different reality if only for a few minutes.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I think mainly, it is important to understand how valuable art is for our daily lives. Absolutely everyone’s lives are touched by some form of art every day. From music, to films, even the shoes you wear, were carefully thought of and created by a creative mind or an artist. This is why, supporting artists not only economically but also, creating awareness and audience is extremely important for them to keep sharing their art with us. If you watch a really good movie, tell everyone about it. If you found a really cool small and local fashion brand, recommend it to everyone you can. These are small steps we can all take in our every day lives that can make a huge difference for an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: thelmaruizv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelmaruiz/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/_peeema/
Image Credits
Regina Urbina, Cristian Solano, Paola Patricia López