Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie Marlyn.
Josie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I used to steal aka borrow my older brothers wooden art box, which was full of beautiful oil pastels. I was seven then, and to this day he doesn’t know.
Today I am an in-house graphic designer for Blue Cactus Printing and have also started a personal project called The True Notes. It’s been an eye opening and fun journey, but it certainly hasn’t been an easy one.
In college, I originally earned my A.A. in Fine Art. That was until I took a graphic design course and I decided that my career would shift from fine art to graphic design. There were times where I could’ve left everything behind, but I wouldn’t be the same person if I did. Because of my experiences, I tend to be as productive as I can. Curiosity comes naturally to me, so I often find myself trying new things.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I once got three rejection letters in the same month and I pinned them up on my wall. It was horrible, but it was a way for me to stay grounded and focus on why I was still going.
Coming from a Mexican-American culture, it was difficult to explain to my family that I wanted to go into the creative industry, especially as a first-generation student. However, their willingness to support no matter if they understood or not was okay with me.
I am continuing my education for myself and to break down generational barriers. There’s many people out there that experience this, but I am here to say, keep going, make resources your best friend and ask as many questions as you can.
My surroundings, my family, my friends, and muses along my path have made it easier for me. I am lucky to have a circle of unique individuals and keeping that is important to me.
The True Notes – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
The True Notes is a series I started based on the notes I write. A combination of thoughts, phrases, honesty, mistakes, realness and nonsense at times. They are notes that have a consistent theme yet are distinguishable, because each one was written in its own moment.
I stored these notes on my phone and in journals before I decided to convert them into posters. I never imagined that I would share them, because they are personal.
I first showed these pieces in November 2018 at LAB1419 and the best part about that night were the conversations I had about the importance of having a healthy state of mind. The openness and how others related was just heartwarming and interesting to hear.
In this series I apply color theory, composition, typography and my personality. It is not only the style I focus on, but the reminders these pieces have of the experiences I once went through, good or bad. These posters are simple, yet carry a rich meaning behind them.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The moments that lead me to be open minded.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetruenotes/
Image Credit:
Moises Galvan
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