We recently connected with Warumono and have shared our conversation below.

Warumono, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Hell no, I don’t wonder what it is like to have a ‘regular’ job. Firstly I don’t like it when people assume the arts are not a ‘regular’ job. Without us there would be no media to consume, no entertainment to enjoy, and so on. Secondly, I have already done my time and I know what it is like! I have worked in fast food, customer service, and retail for almost a decade. I was done. It drained me physically, mentally, creatively, entirely. I was super unhealthy trying to remain on a ‘regular’ schedule that just did not work for me. I do however think that everyone should be required to work in something customer service related for at least a year, then maybe people in those positions would be treated and paid a little better for the work they really do put in. Shit’s not easy. It does teach you to be humble, work fast under pressure, and be front facing I suppose.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been making art my entire life in Denver,Colorado – from traditional (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.), digital (graphic design, character design, animation, etc.), to costuming (clothing, wigs, accessories), music (violin, bass), theater (acting/voice acting)… the list goes on and on. Every time I move on to a new path I use my past knowledge and skills to advance even further into my new endeavor. I was born to showcase my own creativity, in whatever way I see fit, Currently I have moved to Los Angeles, California and I am doing burlesque, drag, fire, pole, and BDSM events – where I can also use my full repertoire!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think that the world outside of performing arts, and really art in general, doesn’t realize how important we actually are in society. Our work is all around you. From every day things like logos, structures, gardens, signs, commercials, to things you use such as clothing, music, vehicles, grooming, and then everything you take in for fun, as in movies, plays, concerts, shows, galleries and the like. And the sad fact is that because people don’t realize that, they then undervalue us. Art usually is not respected as a ‘real’ work option, and therefore we are vastly underpaid and underappreciated, and told this is a hobby to just do in our free time. In reality there is no free time, we work around the clock – personally for myself, I get paid only for a single few minute performance every now and then, despite having to be in attendance for a couple of hours. The workload that I am putting in between doesn’t get a second thought from anyone who thinks what my monetary value is worth. I don’t get paid for all of the costume materials, the time I sink in to making and learning, the hours I spend on social media trying to play the algorithm game to get noticed, the classes I take, the meetings I schedule, the networking and negotiating, the practice, the music editing, the graphics, the makeup application… I do alone what most other jobs would have an entire team for.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My very existence is my resilience, especially in today’s political environment. I am a queer, neurodivergent, gender expansive, sex positive, self employed person trying to exist in a world that is constantly telling me I do not deserve to live my truth. I am not allowed happiness, and my personal way of life is wrong. This year alone there have been at least 142 bills introduced against non cisgender people. 32 states still have same sex marriage bans in their legislation. This doesn’t even touch on sexual, mental, and physical health barriers. My drive to still get up on stage and be so vulnerable in my art before of a bunch of strangers, in resistance against people in power, is my voice fighting to let people know we are still here, always have been, and will never go anywhere. We have been making self expressive art since we were drawing on caves.

You need us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/FilthyWarumono
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/OfficialFilthyWarumono
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/OfficialFilthyWarumono
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FWarumono
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/FilthyWarumono
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9017355