Meet Calethia DeConto

We recently connected with Calethia DeConto and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Calethia, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

Self-care has been a priority for much of my adult life. I learned at a young age that to feel good mentally and physically, I had to take care of myself. I spend a lot of time alone in nature, observing animals, noticing the quality of light, and watching how plants change over time. I’m happiest when I’m able to walk outdoors at dawn, after treating myself to a coffee, and experiencing the land as morning arrives. I love treating my body well and aim to feed it foods that are anti-inflammatory and healthy for my own innate constitution. Researching wellness is a hobby of mine; gathering data and tracking results helps me feel engaged and proactive in my life. I’m a big fan of finding the right healthcare provider to help me optimize and thrive, not just diagnose and treat issues as they arise. Living this way has enabled me to maintain a clearer mind, higher energy levels, and greater endurance for creating art and collaborating with others on projects to help them succeed in their vision.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a lens-based artist known for imagery that explores a conscious relationship with nature, personal rituals in healing, sensuality, and metaphysical intuition. My photographs and short films have been exhibited in solo and group shows across the United States. I use my lens to study and honor the natural world, capturing found objects, feminine forms, and organic shapes that reflect rituals to create a unique cosmology. Working across collage, cyanotype, experimental film, and photography, I bridge the tactile and ephemeral, revealing a deep connection to place, memory, and transformation.

Growing up in a constantly shifting landscape, I developed an awareness of temporality and spirituality at a young age. These themes thread through my work, where intuition, energy, and the unseen play a central role. By layering textures, silhouettes, and light, I create images that feel both intimate and expansive, inviting viewers into a dreamlike space of contemplation.

My work has been featured in galleries and exhibitions nationwide, drawing collectors and audiences who resonate with my meditative approach to image-making. Through my evolving practice, I continue to explore the boundaries between photography and other mediums, offering a visual language rooted in nature, mystery, and the subconscious.

Currently, I’m exploring various parts of Southern California as I’ve been displaced by the Eaton Fire and am searching for a new place and community to call home. I’m leaning into a series of otherworldly monochrome photographs of birds that I’ve been working on for years, recently diving back in with different energy as I navigate an unexpected season of radical renewal and change.

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and/or Areas of Knowledge

The three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey are:

Strong work ethic and a resilient, DIY approach.

My ability to see and capture light, paired with my high level of observation in all situations.

Connecting easily with new people and making friends everywhere I go.

If you find out through friends, family, and acquaintances what your strengths are, you can lean into these at every opportunity. The more you practice at life, the better you get! If you want to sharpen your skills and become known for bringing specific qualities to the table, the best advice is to put in the hours and keep pushing forward. I once saw a tiny phrase scrawled on a wall: “Onward, my child.” Those words have been burned into my mind, becoming a mantra I repeat often. This is the best advice I can give: Don’t look back too long, keep your face to the sun, recognize your personal power, and let it guide you.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey are:
1. Work ethic; hardworking, hardy DIY nature.
2. The way I see and capture light as well as my high level of observation in all types of situations.
3. Connecting with new people and making friends everywhere I go.

If you find out through friends, family and acquaintances what your strengths are you can lean into these every opportunity you have. The more you practice at life, the better you get! If you want to sharpen your skills and become known for bringing certain skillsets/qualities to the table, the best advice is to put in the hours and keep pushing. I once saw a tiny phrase scrawled on a wall. It said “Onward, my child” and those words have been burned into my mind. It’s a mantra I repeat time and time again. This the best advice I can give. Don’t look back too long, keep your face to the sun, know your personal power and let it be your guide.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am currently looking to collaborate with professionals in the interior design world on various projects, specifically design teams who work closely with their clients and might be interested in reviewing my extensive body of work or discussing commissions tailored to specific themes or visuals. I’ve previously worked with licensing agencies, but at this stage, I prefer collaborating directly with designers. Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with boutique hotels, wellness centers, and thoughtfully curated homes. In another life, I might have pursued interior design professionally, and now I’d love to explore that interest with portfolio proudly in hand!

Collaborators can reach out to me directly through the contact page on my website: www.calethiadeconto.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.calethiadeconto.com
• Instagram: @calethiadecontostudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calethiadeconto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalethiaDeConto

Image Credits

Calethia DeConto