Julissa Aaron is in a car with several other people when we hop on the phone. It's unsurprising since the multi-hyphenate artist always seems to be surrounded by friends, many of them artists.
Even when we spent the day shooting the video, Aaron brought her friends along. She’s somewhat of a fixture in many communities in Los Angeles, across photography, airbrushing, and DJing—all arenas that she dabbles in.
"I'm a free spirit," Aaron explains. "I like to learn new things and new hobbies, which is why I jump around different activities like airbrushing and photography. I like to have multiple things to do at once, so my mind isn't stuck on one thing."
It's common for her projects to blend into each other—one of her signatures is doodling characters on top of her photography.
When you talk to Aaron, it's as if you're peeking into the vibrant inner workings of her forward-thinking, creative mind. Passion oozes out of her as we jump from discussing film labs to her sources of inspiration to the art of making mistakes (a topic she dives into in the video above).
The conversation regularly circles back to Originality, her friends, and the importance of community. Much like how her fellow creatives support and advise her, Aaron hopes to inspire the next generation of creative minds.
"I feel like it's important," she says with unmistakable sincerity. "I'm the youngest sibling, and I don't have any like nieces or nephews, but it's nice that I can be a mentor for people or for the younger generation to see. I'm young, and I'm still learning, but so many good things have been happening to me."
Below, we discuss her artistic styles, how she gets through an artist's block, and the three-person airbrush crew she is part of.
How do you choose the medium you want to work with on any given day?
Artist block is a thing. Once I feel frustrated with one thing, I pause and tackle my other things. I pause on photography, but since I've worked out a lab, it's so day-to-day.
When I work on my photography, I want it to feel like it's not a job. Even with airbrushing, I want to get back to having fun with it, which I do, but it's nice that I get to pause one thing and then work on something else and not feel bad about it.
I used to get frustrated [when] I was not doing anything, but it's nice to have breaks and not be so hard on myself.
Besides switching projects, how do you get out of an artist's block?
I rest my brain. Sometimes, it's nice to just be in nature and not stare at a screen and feel like you have to do something. It's nice to take a break, go to a park, and just chill. Soak in air. Breathe.
Talk me through your creative process and what that looks like when working on a project.
I’m usually by myself or hanging out with friends who are also creative, and we bounce off ideas. Or I'm just in my room. I collect so many things, which I'm starting to try not [to] do as much.
They are all very symbolic of me. I make them my own by adding them on top of photos and doing little remixes of them. It reminds me of my childhood.
How would you describe your style of photography?
Honestly, it's just my mood. I don't have a specific way of photography. It also helps that I work at a lab, and I see so many different genres of photography. There's no specific one for me, but it definitely ties together with my childhood and my surroundings.
And what about airbrushing? Is your style similar?
It all ties together with my photography and drawings—it's very similar. I don't like to tag a certain word for my work ‘cause I do the clowns and stuff, but it’s just what I like, and I put it on fabric.
I mainly source my pieces from thrifting. I'd rather have like eco-friendly pieces. A lot of my pieces are from my closet.
I know you’re part of a three-person airbrush crew. Tell me more about that.
So my friend Vera, they airbrush. All my girls and they/them friends that airbrush have their own style. My roommate Nati, who's in the car, she tattoos, and it moves like her airbrush.
Everyone has their little element. If you have our pieces in one area, you would know which is which. And we all have been learning as we go, helping each other. Even our friend Layla does airbrushing and nails, which is cool.
I love that. Before we hang up, what's next for you?
Right now, I'm just learning. I want to learn oil painting. I'm always trying to learn new mediums, so it's cool to switch around.
Whether it's ceramics or oil paintings or seeing what else I can do with airbrushing and then incorporating that all together. I don't have an end goal. I want to learn as many new things as I can. Run free with it and see where it takes me.
