We recently connected with Laurencia and have shared our conversation below.
Laurencia, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I love this question because I actually started doing things to keep my creativity alive, recently. I do different activities every day but something that I do regularly is writing. Last year, I started writing a few pages of my notebook every morning. I write about anything and everything: what happened the day before, how i’m feeling, what’s making me feel stressed or happy. I basically write what’s currently on my mind. This helps me clear my head before I start my day. I’ve found that by doing this, I’ve been able to come up with new and better ideas. I’ve also realized that it really helps when I’m feeling stuck or in a rut. I truly recommend everyone do this. You don’t have to be a good writer (I don’t consider myself to be one). I write for me and for me only. It’s just a habit that I’ve found really helpful for my creativity and emotional well being. Other than that, I try to do something creative everyday. I feel it’s my way to meditate since I focus all of my attention on that specific activity. For example, I love to sew, I love to shoot and edit videos, I enjoy decorating my house. Everyday I choose one of these activities and do it for a few minutes. I also try to immerse myself in movies, videos, magazines and books that inspire me. I recently read a book that I recommend to everyone, even if you don’t consider yourself to be someone creative. It’s called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This book changed my life. It helped me create habits for myself that have been really helpful in many ways, specially creatively: going on walks, doing activities that I used to enjoy doing as a kid, surrounding myself with people that encourage me creatively, being truly present and more. Lastly, I try to be as present as I can. It’s really cool finding inspiration even in the simplest things.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Laurencia, In 2020 I majored in Audiovisual Arts and I’m currently living and working in Mexico City. I’ve been working in production for the past 7 years, starting as a PA, later as a set dresser, and for the past few years mostly in the art department. I’m a part-time photographer mainly focused on product photography. I also have experience as a project manager and content creator. My experience spans across many forms: episodic television, documentary film-making, fashion, music videos, commercials and social media. I’ve had a big love and passion for movies, TV and anything that involved a camera since I was a kid.
I’ve been making my own films since I can remember. When I was growing up, I would go to my cousins’ house on the weekends and we would film ourselves acting, dancing and singing. As the years went by, they all started to develop likes and passions for other things. As for me, the love I had for film making just kept growing and growing. By the time I was a senior in high school, I knew that I wanted to study something related to that field. My degree was very broad and open and so it allowed me to immerse myself in different branches like audio, cinematography, editing, performing arts, and more. I soon realized that my true passions were filming and editing; but anything that involved something creative made me really happy.
This year I started working as a full time content creator for different brands. I’ve been really loving the process of coming up with the creative concept and ideas, creating story boards and making those ideas come to life. I really enjoy trying new things all the time. I truly feel that I don’t have to label myself as one thing and stick to that particular sector. A few years ago I found a new love for fashion and wanted to start my own brand and sell my own clothes. Last year I finally decided to take some sewing classes so I could make my own things. I instantly fell in love with it so now I’m in the process of opening my online store called loloamarillo. It’s been really hard since it’s something completely new to me, but I’ve enjoyed every step of the way. Hopefully I get to share this new project with everyone soon!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
– We’re ALL creative: When I was little I remember seeing my sister as the best artist (she would do the best drawings and would come up with the best ideas). I remember thinking: “when I’m her age I’m going to be as good an artist as she is”. The truth is when I got to her age, I wasn’t. Actually, I was never as good as her at any age. So, I assumed that some people are born creative, some people are meant to be artists and some aren’t. I thought I wasn’t. As the years went by I noticed that I had a big passion for creative things: I loved making movies, performing and drawing. But, my mind kept reminding me that I didn’t have the talent for any of it. When it came time to choose a career I was sure that nothing would make me happier than choosing something creative. So I did. I soon understood that everyone’s creativity is different. Everyone’s process is different. At the end of the day I realized that my belief that only certain people get to be creative, isn’t true. If you have a true passion for something you should pursue it.
– There are many ways of doing things: In life, there are certain rules on how to do certain things. I’m a rule follower. I try to do things by the book as much as I can. I don’t like getting in trouble and so it’s always been better to stick to the rules. Lately, I’ve found myself wanting to do things my own way, and I’ve been questioning the fact that everything has to be done a certain way. Creativity is meant to be our own, it’s meant to make us feel free and so I realize now that we don’t have to follow a specific path in order to express ourselves and make art. So, I’ve been doing things a little bit different. I’ve been creating the way I want to without worrying if it’s the right way and I can tell my work has gotten a lot better. Any way that you decide to create, is going to be the right way.
– There’s no rush: I think this is the one that I’ve struggled with the most, especially since social media started to be a big part of my life. It’s very easy for me to listen to my mind comparing me to other people and telling me: “girl, you’re falling behind”. The worst part is I believe her, most of the time. It’s taken me so long to look at what others are doing and recognize that that’s their own process and this is mine. One is not better than the other. Their success isn’t my failure. We are not competing with anyone, we will get there step by step. I’ve been trying to enjoy the process a lot more now, without trying to get to the finish line.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I love this question because my parents really do deserve all the praise and recognition for everything they’ve done for me. It’s hard to choose just one but I think the most impactful thing they’ve done for me is that they’ve truly let me be free. When I was a kid I never felt like there were certain things that I couldn’t do or be. And I still don’t. I grew up being able to express myself in the ways that I wanted to. This is kind of a funny example but I remember I would love to wear my shirts cropped (I still do) and my mom would immediately cut them for me. No judgement, no question. On the other hand, my dad has always been a business man he’s really passionate about what he does. Still, he’s always been super supportive of me doing what I love and following my dreams even if they’re really different to his. They’ve also given me another type of freedom: to be able to go out into the world, explore and choose where I want to be. They’ve always been big travelers and have encouraged us to be as well. This has allowed me to have a much bigger spectrum of the world and the possibilities that come with it. These and many more things are the reasons that make me feel like I can really be very open with them. We’re very close. I love talking to them and seeing them as much as I can. They’re my greatest support system and I’m forever grateful to them for that. I 100% know that I wouldn’t be were I am nor would I’ve had the most amazing experiences if it weren’t for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://loloamarillo.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loloamarillo/ & https://www.instagram.com/_enamarillo/
